From makeup to pet supplies, these days it seems there are monthly subscription boxes for just about every interest, need, or occasion. But how can you be sure those monthly dollars are being spent in a way that makes a positive impact in the world? According to a report by IMARC Group, as of 2020, the global subscription box market was valued at a whopping $18.8 billion — and it’s only expected to go up. Within such a booming industry, there’s a staggering number of products, services, and causes to wade through. Where do you even start, and how can you be sure you’re making socially responsible choices with the box(es) to which you subscribe?
Read on to learn how you can help make a difference in the world through the monthly subscription boxes you choose to support.
Choose Ethical Monthly Subscription Boxes
If you’re unsure about supporting subscription boxes as a general rule, you may be worried about unethical product sourcing, feeding into consumerism, or the environmental impact of all those packages. And those are valid concerns.
Fortunately, there are a few different ways you can support socially responsible monthly subscription boxes:
-
- Shop sustainable: Look for monthly subscription boxes that use eco-friendly packaging, replenish goods you already use, or actively support organizations that are working to make a positive impact on the environment.
- Examine the source: Find out where and how the subscription box obtains its supplies. Are they fair or direct trade goods? Have they been ethically produced, tested, etc.? Or were those products sourced through exploitation of workers in underdeveloped countries?
- Support Small Businesses: With so many options out there, chances are you can find a small seller that offers the same type of monthly subscription boxes as the big corporations. You may even find that smaller subscription companies are more socially and environmentally conscious anyway, making them better options overall.
At the end of the day, consumers hold a lot of power. The more consumers choose ethically sourced monthly subscription boxes, the more businesses will be encouraged to pursue ethical practices.
Subscribe to a Cause
Another way to make a difference with the monthly subscription boxes you support is to subscribe to boxes that do more than just deliver goods to your door. (Though there’s nothing wrong with having goods delivered to your door, just so we’re clear!) Read into the mission of the business, and choose monthly subscription boxes that put their money where their mouth is.
Perhaps some of their proceeds support individuals and organizations that are working to empower people in underdeveloped countries or marginalized communities. Or, perhaps the contents of the box itself help to educate and empower people to serve in their local communities — or the world at large.
When you subscribe to monthly subscription boxes that support humanitarian causes, you help ensure those causes can continue to move forward.
Pay It Forward
Whatever you receive in your monthly subscription boxes — be it knowledge, experiences, or material goods — find a way to use it to show kindness to another person and spread the love of Christ.
That might mean inviting friends or family to join you in enjoying the contents, creating a monthly occasion to spend valuable time with them. It might also mean encouraging someone else to support that box’s particular cause or seeking out opportunities to directly join that cause yourself. You could even gift a subscription to someone you know would benefit from it.
Make a Difference One Box at a Time
Remember that big changes start small. You don’t have to try all of the above ideas at once! Instead, start by taking a closer look at the monthly subscription boxes to which you already subscribe or are considering trying out. How do they measure up in terms of sustainability, humanitarian causes, and/or spreading kindness? If they don’t quite fit the bill, consider switching to a subscription box that does.
At Anchored Purpose Box, we’re committed to making a positive difference in the world with every box we ship out. Visit Anchored Purpose Box to learn more and get involved.