The Activist for Activists. Author of Make a Difference with Mental Health Activism and The Happy Activist: Journey the 5-Step Activism Path to Focus Your Passion and Change the World. Teacher, Psychologist, Environmental Activist, Animal Lover.
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Last Updated on June 5, 2025
The word activism probably brings to mind a picture of people lobbying their elected officials or marching in the streets. What does a consumer activist do? Consumer activism may sound like a different animal, but in reality, it is a social justice cause, and lobbying and protesting are two methods to help consumers. But it is much more than that.
Consumer activists are concerned with the impact of purchasing on people and the environment. They may focus on how businesses create their goods and services. Many try to make essential products available and safe. Or, they may try to change the consumers’ behavior. Finally, they may protest a company because of their stance on an issue.
Consumer activists have been around for a long time. The Boston Tea Party was a protest against taxation. One of the best-known campaigns is the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which changed a social injustice. Ralph Nader wrote Unsafe at Any Speed: The Designed-In Dangers of the American Automobile in 1965 to highlight dangers to consumers.
Learn more about how you can be an everyday consumer activist.
Everyday Consumer Activist
Reduce Your Consumption
Before you purchase a product or service, consider whether you should buy it, especially if the purchase is expensive. Consider alternatives, borrowing, renting, or making it yourself.
Make Savvy Purchases
Sometimes you can’t avoid making a purchase. Increase your chances of getting a great product by checking reviews and shopping carefully. Understand your consumer rights and how to resolve problems with your purchases. Read Four Ways to Be a Savvy Consumer.
Understand the Source of Your Goods and Services
We have many choices for where to purchase. Consider nonprofits and collectives because they are guided by principles that focus on your needs. Or choose for-profit companies that make the world a better place.
A credit union is a collective, where instead of being a customer you are a member. They provide services similar to banks. But unlike banks, they offer voting rights, financial counseling, and support when you are struggling.
Those who have lost a loved one often don’t realize they have choices, and instead, believe a funeral home is their only option. But they do have choices. They can arrange a lovely, affordable funeral.
My search for yarn led me to a fascinating review of the fiber industry. Now I understand the source of my yarn.
[Are you a crafter interested in making a difference doing something you love?]
Use the Power of Your Wallet for Good
Matching your passion and skills to the activism method that motivates you will keep you engaged in your cause long-term. So, whether your talents are number-crunching or crafting, there is a place in consumer activism for you.
Boycotting means not purchasing products or services from a company because of social injustice. Buycotting means buying products or services from a company that adheres to ethical principles fundamental to you.
For example, Grab Your Wallet, was birthed in reaction to Trump’s Access Hollywood tape and provides information about companies that support Trump so consumers can boycott their products and services.
Influencing legislators may be more effective than other methods because it is an upstream tactic, which means it can impact the cause at its roots. For example, advocating for stronger nutritional laws for school cafeterias will be more effective than asking cafeteria managers to provide nutritious food.
The Craftivist Collective uses art to make social change, including consumer activism. Shopdropping is a technique in which activists drop tiny scrolls into the pockets of clothing in stores. The messages are about the garment worker injustices behind the beauty of the clothes.
You have many ways to be a consumer activist. Don’t purchase goods and services if you can avoid them. Boycott those companies who violate your ethical standards. And support companies that share your values.
Use Your Stuff to Make the World a Better Place
Read How to Use Your Stuff to Make the World a Better Place. The three R’s – reduce, reuse, and recycle, are familiar to most people. Bea Johnson, the author of Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life and Reducing Your Waste, adds two more—’refuse’ and ‘rot.’ Refuse. For example, say no to business cards or free pens. You have enough stuff in your house without bringing in things you didn’t want in the first place. Rot. Look for trash that doesn’t have to be sent to the landfill and compost it. Give back to your soil.
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READ NEXT
Shopping for Change: Consumer Activism and the Possibilities of Purchasing Power by Louis Hyman and Joseph Tohill. In this book, the authors review the history of consumer activism.
It’s Time for You To Make the World a Better Place
Using Cruelty-Free Yarn During the Pandemic
Featured image courtesy of Coupon Snake.
