We need to start shopping with a purpose

Welcome back to the swamp, Gators! I hope everyone has been having a fabulous summer, after all, I already know all the Florida residents have been having a warm one. However, now that we are all back in action and ready to go, it's time to get serious. Let's talk about the planet, and how to make it better.

Every parking spot is taken, the scooters are zooming and, of course, the mall is flooded with back-to-school shoppers. Ah, doesn't it feel good to be home? Although you may already feel like there is just too much going on, there is actually one thing you can do to make your home a better place.

All it takes is smarter shopping.

This year, while you are updating your wardrobe, redecorating your apartment or rushing to get all your school supplies, start buying ethically made products instead. They are actually made with the planet's safety in mind. This is something we need to make a habit of. We can't just look at the sales rack any longer. We need to look beyond that and into companies’ histories. By focusing on buying better products, we can also create a better tomorrow.

Ethically made products do not cause harm to humans, animals or the environment. This is because they are manufactured by fairly-treated workers, with eco-friendly and cruelty-free materials. When you buy them, you contribute to these valuable movements.

When you shop ethically, you promote wellness, sustainability and quality. You support stores that guarantee their workers’ human rights. You are doing your part to conserve resources.

You wear clothes that are made of long-lasting, organic material — and that's just you. If everyone shopped like this, think of how much of a difference we could make. Best of all, there's an app that shows you exactly where to find these items!.

The app is called Good On You. Basically, it rates stores on a scale from "avoid it" to "great." A store is “great” if the company has policies to protect its manufacturers, uses organic materials, doesn't test on animals and is completely transparent. A store must be avoided if the company does not provide any information about the treatment of its workers or the resources it uses.

Similarly, Good On You's mission statement revolves around informing the public. To be in the know, you must download it and create an account. From there, use the app's search option and check out any organization's ratings.

Even if your favorite shop does not have a high score, you don’t have to worry. Good On You will redirect you to a similar place that is better for the environment. This way, you can still shop your favorite styles or buy your favorite items. If you don’t have a specific shop in mind, you can also search by category.

For instance, if you need a new backpack to rock around campus, just type that in and the app will do the rest for you. It will show you ethical companies that offer the eco-friendly version of what you are looking for. Plus, there is also a section that shows you how expensive it is, so you can decide what to splurge on.

Either way, as long as you keep these things in mind, you will be able to shop at more ethical locations and ultimately improve your home. With smarter shopping, you can reduce pollution and conserve resources. This is absolutely crucial to keep the planet — and everyone on it — safe.

After all, making the world a better place never goes out of style.

Victoria Fortier is a UF journalism sophomore. Her column appears on Fridays.