4 reasons why it makes a big difference to buy made in the USA.
There are so many factors to consider when it comes to choosing the products we buy and bring into our homes, it can be really overwhelming to find goods that hit all the marks!
Here at Soul Source, we’re not your average home goods store. We encourage ourselves and our patrons to become conscious consumers, paying attention to what we buy and how it was produced. We strive to provide access to the essentials we need to make our homes the places we love, and we go the extra mile to find products that are in line with our values.
One central value of ours is prioritizing American Made goods.
There are several different polls out there from recent years indicating that anywhere from two thirds to eight in ten Americans say they prefer US made goods, and anywhere from 20% to 60% say they would pay a little extra to ensure the product was made domestically.
Why is this so important to us? We can break it down to four main benefits:
Job Creation: One of the primary advantages of buying American-made goods is the potential for job creation and supporting local industries. Creating jobs in the USA generally means we’re supporting fair pay and working conditions.The more money we put into manufacturing in America the more this sector will grow and provide stable good paying jobs for people. Creating demand for American-made products means that more products will be produced and we're supporting local and regional economies that will build resilience and job opportunities for others in the future.
Economic Growth: Supporting American manufacturers can have a positive impact on the overall economy. It can contribute to a more favorable balance of trade by reducing imports and boosting exports. Depending on the source, manufacturing was at its peak in the US during the 1970’s. Since then, the service sector has far outpaced employment options for folks entering the workplace. While studies vary, it is generally documented that wages are greater in the manufacturing sector. In addition to this, the benefits of generating new products through entrepreneurial endeavors, self-employment and business start-ups significantly increase quality of life. Of course, there is a caveat here - economic growth through unnecessary production of products we don't need leads to (as we see in our modern world) overconsumption and enormous amounts of waste. That's why it's absolutely critical to pair economic growth with values based in environmental stewardship and conscious consumption.
Product Quality and Safety: American-made goods are generally associated with higher quality and safety standards. The United States has strict regulations and standards for manufacturing, ensuring that products meet certain quality benchmarks and adhere to safety guidelines. By choosing American-made goods, consumers can have greater confidence in the quality and safety of the products they purchase.
Environmental Impact: Buying American-made goods can also have environmental benefits. Products made closer to home require shorter transportation distances, reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions associated with long-distance shipping. Without judgment about where the product is from, what it is made of, or who is making it, the fact that a product needs to be loaded onto some sort of land transportation, then makes its way to a ship, gets loaded onto a truck that drives to its destination in another country – all has a significant environmental impact. In 2022, the Port of Los Angeles alone processed over 9.9 million containers full of products. The Guardian has reported on new research showing that in one year, a single large container ship can emit pollutants equivalent to that of 50 million cars. Additionally, American manufacturers are subject to environmental regulations, which can help ensure responsible production practices and minimize the environmental impact of manufacturing processes.
There’s so much to appreciate about American-made products, and we’re making a big difference when we choose them. Unfortunately, finding products made in the USA you can trust is a little more complicated than spotting the American flag on the tag.
Made in the USA labels are more of a guideline, not a guarantee. With many stages to manufacturing, sometimes things are partially made domestically or otherwise sourced or crafted in many places inside and outside the country.
That’s why there’s no substitute for developing direct relationships with the companies that we’re sourcing from to know exactly how the goods are produced - and that’s what we do at Soul Source. We’re building relationships with companies big and small from all around the country to find high quality home goods.
The number of decisions we have to make each day in our lives can be crushing and often cause us to tune out altogether. Soul Source provides you with the knowledge of where products come from so you can feel confident in your purchases.