Shopping

Ten Steps to Green Shopping

The average household's waste is composed of at least 1/3 packaging. Stop the flow of waste into your home, save money by asking yourself these simple questions while shopping.

1. Is the packaging necessary?
Do your bananas really need to come pre-wrapped in plastic? Could you package cookies individually yourself, instead of buying a box of plastic-wrapped packets?
 
2. Can the package be recycled, refilled or reused? 
Try not to buy items that are immediately destined for the garbage bin: styrofoam, un-numbered plastic tetra-packs are not recyclable. High-quality plastic and glass containers can be reused for many purposes.

3. Is the packaging or the product recycled? 
You're not really recycling untill you're pre-cycling. Buying items with recycled content helps to create a market for these products, encouraging those involved in the recycling industry to continue the good work. 

4. Is the product durable instead of disposable?
Disposable items, even those that are recyclable, create a huge amount of waste and consume vast quantities of energy and other resources. Disposable shopping bags, coffee cups and water bottles easily come to mind, but consider other items that get tossed out regularly: plastic razors, zip-lock bags, 

5. Can you grow it, make it or bake it yourself?
This can save money and packaging, and gives you more control over what goes into your food or products. Have you ever thought about making your own granola bars?  This is also a great way to impress people!

6. Can you get it bigger, concentrated or in bulk? 
Purchasing items in bulk creates substantially less waste packaging. Larger products sizes and concentrates usually have a smaller proportion of packaging. 

7. Is there an organic option?
Buying products made with organic or other environmentally responsible practices contribute to fewer toxins being introduced into the environment.

8. Can you buy it used?
In a battle between a new eco-friendly product and an older item from a thrift store or a friend's garage, the latter always wins. Buying used, whether clothing, kitchen ware or sports equipment means that you are not contributing any new waste.  

9. Where did it come from?
Buy local, or at least as local as possible. Transportation consumes huge amounts of fossil fuels and adds to greenhouse gas emissions. Buying close to home stimulate the local economy, the food tastes fresher and home-made products can be much more unique than other options.

10. Are you being Greenwashed?
"Greenwashing" is a process by which a product is made to seem more environmentally friendly than it actually is. Avoid products that make vague statements or claims, don't offer proof for their claims, or have hidden trade-offs. A good strategy is to avoid any "green" product that doesn't list its ingredients, and to look for endorsements from recognized organizations.

******************symbols--Energy Star, Eco Logo, Energuide, FCSC. etc.


We have found that websites often become unavailable for a few days, only to return.  For that reason, we do not remove bad links hastily.

Listing does not imply endorsement by Waste Reduction Office of any content at these sites.