Protecting the environment begins at the market stall or supermarket. Everything we buy has a direct or indirect effect on the environment. If you learn how to be a conscientious consumer, you can help make our world better.
Before you buy any consumer good or specialty product item, ask yourself several questions. How was it made? Did manufacturing produce pollution? Does it use too much energy? Can the packaging be recycled? Does it deplete resources elsewhere? If the answers to these questions are YES, then you might want to reconsider what you choose to do with your buying power by putting the item back on that shelf or display rack and instead opt to buy a local product or more eco friendly item.
Think about items you can buy from local tradespeople (candles, honey, greeting cards) because the closer to the source of the product, the easier to estimate its ecological footprint.
Here’s some more tips from the book 365 Ways To Save The Earth by Philippe Bourseiller:
- Vote with your dollar; if you don’t want awful products sold in supermarkets, grocery stores, at local shopping malls, and discount stores nationwide, don’t buy them… and do not endorse political candidates that support large corporations they pollute the environment with reckless abandon.
- Buy only what you need; don’t buy so much that you have to throw things out that will overburden landfills.
- If you can’t use up or wear out something you bought, give it to someone who can (food, clothes, toys, holiday items, household decorating items you are tired of seeing, or garden products).
- Buy the best, most eco-friendly items from local vendors or cottage industry professionals like those on ETSY or re-selling on eBay; shop for food whenever you can at your local farmers market.
- Don’t let TRENDY items fill up your home; just say no to fad items and one use only or useless purchases.
GO GREEN! STAY GREEN!
HELP PROMOTE SUSTAINABLITY!
SOURCE:
Green Celebrity Tips
http://greencelebrity.net/
First Posted on Jan. 02
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