The Black Friday Frenzy: Why Left-handesign Chooses Purpose Over Promotion

Every year, as the calendar inches closer to Black Friday, inboxes fill with offers, social media floods with ads, and consumers brace for a spending spree. It’s marketed as the ultimate shopping event, a celebration of deals, discounts, and endless consumption. But at what cost?

At Left-handesign, we’ve decided to take a stand. This Black Friday, we’re skipping the frenzy and focusing on what truly matters: sustainability, intentional living, and creating a better future for our planet.

The Problem with Black Friday

Black Friday and Cyber Monday fuel an insatiable demand for products, leading to unprecedented levels of waste and environmental harm. Here’s what the numbers say:

1. A Waste Avalanche:

According to The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the holiday season (November-December) sees a 25% increase in waste generation in the U.S. alone. That’s an additional 1 million tons of waste per week, much of which ends up in landfills. Imagine the global impact during Black Friday’s international boom.

2. Packaging Chaos:

Clean Up Australia reports that over 2.5 million tonnes of packaging waste are generated annually in Australia, much of it from seasonal shopping events like Black Friday. Most packaging is single-use and non-recyclable, exacerbating the issue.

3. Carbon Emissions:

In 2020, Environmental Charity Hubbub revealed that the UK’s Black Friday deliveries emitted an additional 429,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide, equivalent to 435 return flights from London to New York.

4. Fast Fashion Fallout:

Fast fashion brands notoriously capitalize on Black Friday sales, encouraging mass purchases of unsustainable, low-quality clothing. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates that the fashion industry contributes 10% of global carbon emissions and is the second-largest consumer of water worldwide.

Why We’re Saying No to Black Friday

As a purpose-driven brand, Left-handesign aims to disrupt this cycle of mindless consumption by encouraging thoughtful buying decisions. Here’s why we’re sitting this one out:

1. Our Mission:

Left-handesign is built on the belief that every product should serve a purpose beyond its immediate use. Our plantable BĪJ stationery and eco-friendly products don’t just provide value; they give back to the planet by reducing waste and encouraging biodiversity.

2. Quality Over Quantity:

Black Friday thrives on impulse buying and disposable products. We stand for timeless, meaningful items that help you live sustainably—whether it’s a notebook that can be recycled or a pen that transforms into a plant.

3. Encouraging Conscious Choices:

Studies show that 80% of Black Friday purchases are impulse buys (Finder AU, 2022). Many of these items end up unused, contributing to the 23% increase in landfill waste post-Black Friday (Waste Management World). We believe in empowering customers to buy only what they need and love.

4. Protecting Our Planet:

Every BĪJ Pen you use saves 5 grams of waste from entering landfills. Imagine the collective impact if we all embraced such small, meaningful changes.

The Left-handesign Approach: Sustainability at Heart

This year, instead of promoting sales, we’re promoting mindfulness. Here’s how you can join us:

1. Invest in Sustainable Gifts:

From our BIJ Pencils and Pens to plantable notebooks and gift wraps, every Left-handesign product is designed with sustainability in mind. Thoughtful gifts inspire others to live sustainably too.

2. Reduce, Reuse, Plant:

Our products are built to reduce waste. Once you’ve used your stationery, you can plant it and watch it grow into herbs or wildflowers—a beautiful reminder of the circle of life.

3. Educate and Inspire:

Black Friday can be an opportunity to educate others about sustainability. Share this blog with your community or start conversations about intentional living.

Did You Know?

• Australians use 3.5 million tonnes of plastic annually, with only 9% being recycled (Clean Up Australia).

• The average Australian household discards 20% of food and products bought during the festive season, costing $2,200 per year (Sustainability Victoria).

• If every Australian switched to eco-friendly wrapping paper, it could save 150,000 kilometers of plastic wrap, enough to circle the Earth almost four times.

Join Us in Reimagining Black Friday

This Black Friday, we invite you to take a pause. Instead of rushing to buy more, reflect on what you already have. Instead of contributing to waste, consider how your choices can create a positive impact.

Let’s redefine Black Friday as a moment of purpose, education, and gratitude. Together, we can show that it’s possible to drive change without compromising on our planet.

Shop Mindfully. Live Sustainably.

Explore our collections and be part of the movement towards a waste-free future.

Thank you for choosing to be part of a movement that prioritizes our planet over profits. Together, we can make every purchase a step towards a better future.

With Gratitude,

The Left-handesign Team 🌱