Shop Local: Join the Revolution Against Air Pollution
CSDiscover how choosing handmade, sustainable goods over mass-produced items can improve air quality and support your local economy. Join the clean air movement—one purchase at a time.
The air we breathe can directly affect our health. Yet,
lives in areas where air pollution levels are alarmingly high.
Wondering how that’s possible? It's no surprise that corporate giants have a huge stake in this issue. As you might know,
release multiple air pollutants into the atmosphere every single day.
While it’s tempting to shop cheap, mass-produced goods, these low-quality items often come at the expense of workers, your health, or the environment.
At Maker Marketplace, we love anything made locally. Shopping local goods not only helps you find one-of-a-kind pieces but also supports artisans and benefits the environment.
In this article, you'll discover why supporting small businesses and shopping locally is an effective way to reduce air pollution!
What Are the Main Causes of Air Pollution?
Air pollution is a mixture of solid or liquid particles and certain gases suspended in the air.
Some natural sources can cause air pollution, including wildfires, volcanic eruptions, pollen, and even mold spores. That said, outdoor air pollution is mainly caused by factories, incinerators, power plants, motor vehicles, and anything that burns fossil fuels.
Sadly, many air pollutants are extremely harmful to the environment and public health.
Air Pollution in Numbers: Why It’s Time to Shop Local
Air pollution contributes to
globally.
In 2021,
worldwide died because of air pollution.
In the United States, air pollution is responsible for
.
Around
live in areas with poor air quality.
Poor air quality can
off your life, making it a greater threat to public health than HIV/AIDS and malaria.
Air pollutant particles can be up to
than the diameter of your hair. Their tiny size makes them easy to inhale, potentially leading to health issues with long-term exposure.
Photo by Photoholgic on
How Shopping Locally Helps Reduce Air Pollution
Shopping locally can have a big impact on the environment and the local economy. When you buy from local makers, you promote ethical, eco-friendly practices while receiving handcrafted goods made just for you.
Let’s see how shopping from local artisans can help fight air pollution!
Lower Transportation Emissions
Mass-produced goods often come from halfway across the globe, creating tons of carbon emissions as they make their way to you. Corporate giants also rely on global suppliers to source materials and reduce costs, adding even more emissions to the problem.
As a result, global shipping accounts for nearly
3% of global greenhouse gas emissions
, which contributes to air pollution and climate change.
The biggest environmental benefit of shopping for local goods is that it generates
fewer transportation emissions
. By shopping locally, you choose products made in your own community and avoid the need for long-distance shipping.
And the best part? Most local artisans use locally-sourced materials as well, reducing their carbon footprint even more. For instance, one of our expert craftsmen,
, sources lumber from small, local mills in southern and western Michigan.
Photo by Kelsey Knight on
Sustainable Materials Usage
Shopping locally is also a good way to support low-impact practices. Many local makers use sustainable materials to create unique, handmade products.
Some artisans opt for recycled materials, which help cut down on harmful air pollutants, conserve water, prevent water pollution, and reduce waste. Recycled glass, for example, can
, while recycled metals can
minimize air pollutants by 80%
.
Other local makers bring beautiful products to life with
reclaimed wood
.
Reclaimed wood comes from a variety of sources, such as dead trees, house demolitions, and driftwood. This eco-friendly practice helps:
- Prevent deforestation
- Save energy
- Reduce air pollution
- Minimize waste
At Maker Marketplace, many of our artisans use reclaimed wood—preventing useful materials from going to waste. A good example is
, a custom furniture business that repurposes wood from torn-down barns and building renovations
Similarly, experienced nature artist Matt Faupel of
collects his "rescued wood" from various sources, including downed trees from storms, dead trees people cut down, and driftwood that washes up along local riverbanks and parks after floods.
Rustic bench crafted from rescued dead trees and driftwood
Waste Reduction
Waste is another contributor to air pollution.
Unlike large corporations, most artisans make the most of their resources, which helps prevent waste, protect ecosystems, and reduce emissions. By shopping locally, you can support makers who use materials efficiently and creatively to minimize waste.
But don’t just take our word for it. We spoke directly with some local artisans to give you a glimpse into their
strategies for reducing waste.
Take
, for example. Besides using rescued wood for their projects, they sell unused pieces to aquariums, woodcarvers, and gardeners so nothing goes to waste. This family-owned business also donates sawdust to those who spread native plant seeds or use composting toilets. Ultimately, leftover wood is composted or mulched, enriching soils and completing its natural cycle!
For
, minimizing waste begins with the design of their projects. When ordering materials for custom furniture, this locally owned business selects appropriate dimensions to ensure efficient resource use and less waste. If there are leftover materials, the custom furniture business saves them for repurposing whenever possible. For instance, thinner strips from table saws are crafted into aesthetic cutting and charcuterie boards.
Charcuterie board made from reclaimed wood
But that’s not all. For small pieces that can't be reused, red.well’s owner,
, takes them to northern Michigan each winter to fuel his uncle’s wood-burning maple syrup cooker. A sweet solution to waste!
Sustainable Design
When shopping for local goods, you can find sustainable options crafted with durability, reusability, and recyclability in mind. As expert craftsman
explains, thoughtful design ensures that furniture can be easily disassembled for transportation, maintenance, and recyclability. This practice extends furniture’s lifespan, cuts down on waste, lowers emissions, and prevents air pollution.
Red.well’s
Universal Reclaimed Wood Table
is an excellent example of sustainable design.
Made with Michigan barnwood and steel bases, it can withstand years of use and can be refinished or recoated multiple times. Recognized by the
Sustainable Furnishings Council
, this table can effortlessly be broken down into its components—making it easy to modify, repurpose, or recycle when needed.
Red.well’s Universal Reclaimed Wood Table
Energy Conservation
Did you know that large-scale manufacturing uses more than
77% of all industrial electricity
? This means mass-produced goods require huge amounts of energy and generate tons of carbon emissions, significantly promoting air pollution.
Local artisans, on the other hand, create products in small batches, consuming far less energy than large corporations.
Missouri Nature Art’s workshop
Best Locally Made Products for a Low-Impact Lifestyle
Buying from local artisans is the best way to get one-of-a-kind treasures that perfectly match your style and needs. So, why settle for low-quality, mass-produced goods when there’s a wide range of locally made products to choose from?
Here are some of our favorite products made from reclaimed wood:
Natural Edge Frames Created From Red Cedar Driftwood
Looking for a unique frame to showcase your paintings or photographs?
Missouri Nature Art specializes in sustainable furniture made from rescued wood, designed “as if nature created them without the help of humans.” Among their creations are stunning frames crafted from rescued red cedar driftwood. Besides providing a natural, rustic charm to any room, each frame boasts a distinctive shape, color, and eroded texture.
As nature artist Matt Faupel explains, red cedar turns into driftwood as the river strips away its pale sapwood—revealing the rich red-brown heartwood. This natural process gives each frame a unique character!
Visit
and check
.
Reclaimed Wood Adjustable Height Home Office Desk
Want simple yet functional furniture? Red.well creates durable designs made from sustainable materials, like solid wood and steel.
If you’d like to transform your home office, their height adjustable desk might be just what you need. Crafted from solid reclaimed hardwood, this sustainable desk is backed by an incredible 10-year warranty. Plus, the base of this minimalist desk is a dual motor electric frame with a quiet, three-stage lifting column!
Visit
and check
.
Final Thoughts
From production to disposal, mass-produced goods generate tons of carbon emissions and contribute to the air pollution problem.
Luckily, you can find all sorts of locally made products to replace them. Handmade products from local artisans use ethically sourced materials, consume less energy, and generate less waste. But more importantly, they do not require long-distance shipping.
By shopping locally, you can prevent air pollution while supporting ethical practices and helping your community thrive.
Want to find high-quality, handmade goods that meet your preferences? Have a look at our curated
!
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