Green tips when shopping?
I already know to look for things that come with less packaging or that come in recycled/recyclable packaging, to do multiple things in one drive to save gas, and to use re-usable grocery bags but I think there’s still more I could, right?
- ? Little Miss Strawberries ?
Tags: Grocery Bags, Recyclable Packaging, Shopping
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June 12th, 2009 at 9:04 am
Buy local produce. If you buy bananas which were grew in say, Jamaica, then they’ve traveled a fair bit and thus probably used up a lot of CO2.
Think if the packaging can be recycled, as well as products with less packaging.
If you buy clothes, then either don’t get the coat hangers if you have enough at home, or remember to return to coat hangers to the store so that they can be reused.
Apart from that, there’s not much more you can do!
June 12th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Look for fair trade products, and those products that are animal friendly. Purchase products that are low in VOCs.
June 14th, 2009 at 11:43 am
don’t buy new stuff, only shop at thrift stores or garage sales. Don’t buy frivolous stuff like make up, perfume, razors and tampons.
Get re-useable maxi pads.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:19 am
Shop as little as possible. Keep a list things that you think you need or want and reevaluate before you buy- I am usually able to cross a few things off my list each time. It works!
Buy handmade goods from places like Etsy.com or locally.
Get to know where it is that the materials that make up your goods come from.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Recycle: Extending the life of objects bound for the dump is a great way to start being “green”. It reduces the trash buildup in the overfilling, polluting dumps.
Reuse: This tip has the same principal as recycling: extending the life of a product. This tip actually is better than recycling because the material does not have to be re-processed;thus, saving energy and time. This applies to methods like reusable shopping bags and reusable canteens.
Reduce: This method is the best of the three. Not consuming in the first place saves the energy lost by both the other tips and the reprocessing energy saved by the “reuse tip”. Reduce your trash impact by composting. Also, not buying materials that overly use plastic to package.
Organic:
Eating organic is the way to make sure no harmful chemicals enter your body, but also the environment. Organic Farms:
-do not release synthetic pesticides into the environment
-sustain diverse ecosystems (biodiversity)
-create less waste
-are more energy efficient
No matter how well pesticides are controlled, they always end up in the air and water around the farm, even in the workers themselves. According to the Consumer’s Union, 77 percent of non-organic food has synthetic pesticide on it.
Try this blog that gives a list of the amount of pesticides in different fruits and vegetables:
There are a lot of resources available to help avoid these chemicals. A simple, but helpful organic cookbook can be found here: . If you are willing to give a little more time to make sure your food is safe, why not go into HydroPonics? HydroPonics is growing food without soil, so it is perfect for anyone with limited space. Check out The HydroPonic Garden Guide to get started: .
June 17th, 2009 at 10:41 am
All the points you state are very true in addition I would buy local whenever possible, buy in bulk when there is no worry of spoilage, if a store you frequent does not support your re usable bags or offer items with post consumer content request it. In my area myself and about ten other shoppers got together and now we have another store that refunds a nickel for every reusable bag that shoppers use each trip. Also now they carry 7th generation tp which is a recycled product. As for buying local it really doesn’t get any more local than a veggie garden or farmers market.
Anyway keep up the great work!
June 20th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
go to my web page
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I point you step by step How to go green also with shopping.
June 22nd, 2009 at 11:45 pm
Shop locally and reduce toxins. Those are both things that are better for you and the environment. You can check to see which known or suspected toxins are in your cosmetics at. If you want to find companies that are both social responsible and eco friendly go to. they rate stores and brands based on a variety of factors. You can also go to for more green shopping tips.
The most important thing you can do as a consumer is purchase less. Buy what you need and shop with a list. Many of us use shopping as entertainment, it is better for the earth and your finances to reduce what you buy and make do with what you have.
June 24th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
You should buy local produce and use brown paper bags at the checkout stand. Take your own canvas bag if you have to, and get some organic food from the health food section.
June 27th, 2009 at 8:13 am
As far as reusing Wal-Mart bags, I reuse as trash bags in my little trash cans in my living room. They fit perfectly in small trashcans. After the bag is full of trash, I pull it out by the handle and dump it into the dumpster. No need to buy trash bags for a hard to fit trash cans anymore!
Works for me! I also carry a wal-Mart bag in my car… hook it on the door or glove box to use as an inexpensive trash bag. Keeps my truck cleaner,too!