Sustainably Trying

Right now, shopping is typically not good for the environment. From the materials needed to produce the product, to shipping, to disposing of the product, there are so many ways that consumerism depletes natural resources and emits greenhouse gasses. And this is not to mention the possible ethical issues involved. As my friend and I have been working on our Etsy small business, this topic has been constantly on my mind. As an environmentalist and seller, I wonder if what I really am is a hypocrite. On one hand, I am producing nonessential items (stickers, drawings, clothing, and other art-related merchandise). Yet, on the other hand, art has been my interest for as long as I have known, and this art and its enjoyment have value, even if it's just for me. A world without arts and “unnecessary” but pleasurable things, is not one I would advocate, even in the name of sustainability.  So, I've been thinking. Is there a way we can run our Etsy shop sustainably? Systemic change   Liv