Becoming a Conscious Consumer

<p class="para">In collaboration with our partner <a class="u-link-blue" href="https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.elevatesuper.com.au%2F&data=05%7C01%7Colivia%40atlastrend.com%7C8655fc691a6744bfc3bd08da8ba34351%7C7537821cfed149168715f91f727214ef%7C0%7C0%7C637975831542338810%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=mmP9IdStxyYY3KVzNSGAGvx0WxMUwBVlSOqmj%2Fw9peQ%3D&reserved=0">Elevate Super</a></p>

<p class="para">We receive many messages that encourage us to consume more which is driven by the fact that our whole economy is consumption-based, meaning its prosperity relies on our continued purchasing of goods and services. The media messages we receive tell us we'll be happier, healthier, better, fitter, stronger, sexier, and more successful if we have MORE.</p>

<p class="para">Many people are material comfort-seeking, fashion conscious, or desiring the newest gadgets. While there is nothing inherently wrong with wanting nice and newer things, this desire becomes a problem when our need to consume more directly impacts the future of our environment and the planet.</p>

<p class="para">The real question is, do we even need more?</p>

<p class="para">When I'm looking to purchase something, I often pause and ask myself, 'do I need this?' and nine out of ten times, if I am honest enough, the answer is usually no!</p>

<p class="para">Even so, I can usually convince myself otherwise or justify the purchase of it, I know that this is an accumulation of more "stuff" in my life.</p>

<p class="para">A special report by the <a class="u-link-blue" href="https://undocs.org/E/2019/68">United Nations</a> found the material footprint per capita has increased considerably – from 8.1 tons of natural resources needed to satisfy a person's needs to almost 12 tons of resources extracted per person in 2015.</p>

<p class="para">How do we reconcile this insatiable desire for material comfort, fashion-conscious, newest gadget-desiring with our need to live more sustainably?</p>

<p class="para">It's a question many people and companies are asking themselves.</p>

<p class="para">Our way of doing things has to change.</p>

<p class="para">The buy-consume-dispose economy has reached its growth limits and is fuelling an environmental crisis. The world generates <a class="u-link-blue" href="https://f.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/4847902/CE%202020/Presskit/06_Resource%20Recovery%20Playbook%20White%20Paper.pdf?utm_campaign=CE%202020&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=99089350&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--ErDwciVdI4jTBBXUKK06dMa564fcYnO8WyhELI_uCzIjW3bJRm3dsXlhVLfKX4tC5UC58hPjjPRcSIkG4NxPAX5pWBw&utm_content=99089350&utm_source=hs_automation">2.01 billion tons</a> of municipal solid waste annually, at least 33 % of that not managed environmentally safely.</p>

<p class="para">According to the <a class="u-link-blue" href="https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/circular-economy/what-is-the-circular-economy">Ellen MacArthur Foundation</a>, the equivalent of one garbage truck of textiles is taken to landfill or burned every second.</p>

<p class="para">But what's worse than textiles? The <a class="u-link-blue" href="https://www.rockwool.com/group/about-us/our-thinking/sustainability-and-circularity/circular-economy/">construction industry</a>.</p>

<p class="para">It's the single largest consumer of resources, consuming three billion tonnes of raw materials every year while producing around one-third of all waste – much of which ends up in landfill.</p>

<p class="para">Thankfully, the world is committed to doing something about this.</p>

<p class="para">SDG12: Responsible Consumption and Production aims to halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.</p>

<p class="para">One way this can be done is through <a class="u-link-blue" href="https://f.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/4847902/CE%202020/Presskit/06_Resource%20Recovery%20Playbook%20White%20Paper.pdf?utm_campaign=CE%202020&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=99089350&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--ErDwciVdI4jTBBXUKK06dMa564fcYnO8WyhELI_uCzIjW3bJRm3dsXlhVLfKX4tC5UC58hPjjPRcSIkG4NxPAX5pWBw&utm_content=99089350&utm_source=hs_automation">food packaging</a>. When it's designed for recycling and reuse as opposed to single use, this can help prevent unnecessary food spoilage and reduce the carbon footprint of the food supply chain.</p>

<p class="para">Clothing is another area.</p>

<p class="para">The fashion industry is in dire need of a <a class="u-link-blue" href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-economy-circular/eu-to-introduce-waste-reduction-targets-new-sustainable-products-law-idUSKBN20Y1DV?ct=t(RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN)">sustainable</a> makeover, given only 1% of global textiles are currently recycled 🤯</p>

<p class="para">Fashion producers can do their part by increasing the proportion of sustainable materials their products are made from and expanding their 'pre-owned' offerings. As consumers, we need to consider whether fast fashion is necessary or quality over quantity will support us better.</p>

<p class="para">We must also get comfortable and normalise second-hand and recycled clothing swaps and shopping.</p>

<p class="para">Regulatory change is in the wind.</p>

<p class="para">Last year the European Commission introduced laws to halve the amount of plastic waste the EU produces by 2030. These new <a class="u-link-blue" href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-economy-circular/eu-to-introduce-waste-reduction-targets-new-sustainable-products-law-idUSKBN20Y1DV?ct=t(RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN)">waste reduction targets</a> and sustainability laws ensure products placed on the EU market are recyclable, repairable and designed to last longer.</p>

<p class="para">Lasting longer is the key here. Have you ever heard of planned obsolescence? The technology industry is notorious for it. This is where manufacturers design a product with a short lifespan, so consumers have to buy a new one, leading to <a class="u-link-blue" href="https://www.ecowatch.com/electronic-waste-europe-2645469376-2645469376.html">throwaway culture</a>.</p>

<p class="para">Our phones and tablets depend on mined resources, the extraction and processing of which emits greenhouse emissions.</p>

<p class="para">No longer out of sight, out of mind.</p>

<p class="para">Back home, the Australian Government passed the <a class="u-link-blue" href="https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2020B00104/Explanatory%20Memorandum/Text">Recycling & Waste Reduction Bill 2020</a>.</p>

<p class="para">The bill included a suite of initiatives introduced by the Federal Government to promote a circular economy, improve <a class="u-link-blue" href="https://www.claytonutz.com/knowledge/2020/december/recycling-and-waste-reduction-bill-2020-cth-whats-in-store">Australia's waste management systems</a>, and boost its domestic recycling. It also included the Australian Government's commitment to ban the export of waste glass, plastics, tyres and paper.</p>

<p class="para">The legislation aims to encourage a circular economy for waste in Australia by enhancing voluntary product stewardship, supporting businesses to realise the total value of recyclable materials, and working toward more sustainable resource use.</p>

<p class="para">At Blossom, we genuinely believe that as individuals and society, we must rethink our consumption habits and prioritise circularity over convenience. Hopefully, the new legislation will enable Australian consumers to make better choices when purchasing and disposing of products.</p>

<p class="para">Ultimately, when it comes to living a more sustainable lifestyle, some of the best advice is what we've heard: reduce, reuse, and recycle.</p>

<p class="para">Co-written by <a class="u-link-blue" href="https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.elevatesuper.com.au%2Fabout%2F&data=05%7C01%7Colivia%40atlastrend.com%7C8655fc691a6744bfc3bd08da8ba34351%7C7537821cfed149168715f91f727214ef%7C0%7C0%7C637975831542338810%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Ovf7N%2F0l6NOJBFpSJALpmfgLjf86CMvaIJj8d07B4To%3D&reserved=0">Victoria Kent</a>, Senior Investment Specialist, Elevate Super & Blossom App.</p>

<p class="para" style="margin: 0">About Elevate Super:</p>

<p class="footnote"><a class="u-link-lighter-red" href="https://elevatesuper.com.au/?utm_source=blossom&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=article">Elevate Super</a> is a retail super fund, powered by successful fintech AtlasTrend. <a class="u-link-lighter-red" href="https://www.atlastrend.com/?utm_source=blossom&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=article">AtlasTrend</a> was created in 2015 to build a new investment service to help our customers learn and invest with purpose in long term world trends. At Elevate Super, we believe you shouldn’t have to give up competitive financial returns to do good.<br />We assess and measure investments based on their long-term growth fundamentals plus positive contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – a global blueprint for balancing our economic, social and environmental needs.</p>
<p class="footnote">Important notice: Elevate Super is a sub plan of the Aracon Superannuation Fund (ABN 40 586 548 205) (Fund) issued by Equity Trustees Superannuation Limited (ABN 50 055 641 757, AFS Licence No. 229757, RSE Licence No. L0001458) (Equity Trustees). AtlasTrend Pty Ltd (ABN 83 605 565 491) is the promoter of Elevate Super and an AFSL Corporate Authorised Representative (No. 001233660) of Fundhost Limited (AFSL 233045) (Fundhost) and Havana Financial Services Pty Ltd (AFSL 500435) (Havana). This communication contains general advice only and does not take into consideration your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. None of the information provided is, or should be considered to be, personal financial advice. The information provided in this communication is believed to be accurate at the time of writing. None of AtlasTrend, Equity Trustees, Havana, Fundhost or their related entities nor their respective officers and agents accept responsibility for any inaccuracy in, or any actions taken in reliance upon the general advice provided. A copy of AtlasTrend’s financial services guide can be found at <a class="u-link-lighter-red" href="https://atlastrend.com/fsg/">www.atlastrend.com/fsg</a>.<br />This communication is not an offer to invest in Elevate Super. Before deciding on Elevate Super, you should read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) and seek professional financial advice to consider if Elevate Super is appropriate for you. The PDS is available at <a class="u-link-lighter-red" href="https://elevatesuper.com.au/pds/">www.elevatesuper.com.au/pds</a> or by calling Elevate Super on 1800 875 148. The TMD is available at <a class="u-link-lighter-red" href="https://elevatesuper.com.au/tmd/">www.elevatesuper.com.au/tmd</a>.<br />Any managed investment fund product (Fund) mentioned in this communication is offered via a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) which contains all the details of the offer. The PDS is issued by Fundhost as responsible entity for the Funds. Before making any decision to make or hold any investment in a Fund you should consider the PDS in full. The PDS is available at <a class="u-link-lighter-red" href="https://atlastrend.com/pds/">www.atlastrend.com/pds</a> or by calling AtlasTrend on 1800 589 778. The Target Market Determination is available <a class="u-link-lighter-red" href="http://help.atlastrend.com/en/articles/5576094-target-market-determination-tmd/">here</a>.</p>