Ecofriendly Gifts
Nothing brings out the gift-giving spirit quite like shopping locally. Visiting storefronts around town helps us connect with our community, and it feels like a breath of fresh air after so much time spent cooped up indoors.
Green Beverly now has a sustainable shopping guide that lays out the ripple effect of benefits that occur when you shop local for everyday goods as well as for ecofriendly gifts.
For instance, shopping at a local business usually carries a much lower carbon cost than buying similar products online. Whether you’re buying gifts or groceries, when you shop local you reduce the greenhouse gas emissions related to transportation (especially the critical “last mile”). Supporting local farms also ensures they stick around, improving soil quality and preserving wildlife.
Beyond helping the environment, each dollar spent on a local good or service grows the community far more than a dollar spent at a chain supermarket or an internet retailer. Small businesses have a greater positive impact on their patron communities than large conglomerates in four key ways:
More robust local economy;
Profits and wages that directly support members of our community;
Superior quality of goods and services;
Much higher contributions to nonprofits or charities.
Beverly’s local businesses aren’t just economically important, they’re also a huge part of what makes our town so unique! Thriving thoroughfares like Cabot and Rantoul are positively alive with fascinating nooks and crannies, from bike shops to pizzerias to consignment boutiques, and of course cozy coffee shops.
And you can buy amazing gifts at nearly all of them. Starting Sunday December 12th and running through Wednesday December 23rd, Green Beverly will be running a “12 Days of Sustainable Gifts” series on our social channels (follow us with a simple click right below this post).
Our series on ecofriendly gifts will point you towards some of the best and most unique presents around. These local ideas have the double benefit of being environmentally friendly and perfect for picking up last-minute: handcrafted art, unforgettable experiences, sustainably-sourced goods, and artisan food and drink gifts to suit the pickiest foodie on your list.
However and whatever you celebrate, we wish you joy of the season!
