Green Eco-Friendly Shopping to Help the Planet | Green Keen Magazine

Green Eco-friendly Shopping to Help the Planet Green Keen Magazine

What are some simple ways that you as a consumer can shop "green"? Here are some, let me know if I've missed something....

Buy Local

Support a cleaner environment by buying local. Local artisans and farmers sell their products at small shops, Craft Fairs and Farmer's Markets. Supporting their businesses eliminates the need for products to be transported far distances, thereby saving non-renewable resources like oil. It is an excellent way to encourage your local economy and culture. 100 Mile Diet gives you some great tips and inspiration on how to start eating local. Your local newspaper will have listings for Farmer's Markets and Craft Fairs.

Buy Fair Trade

The Fair Trade Certification label received high marks from Consumer Reports' Greenchoices website, which provides information on eco-labels and what they really mean. Buying Fair Trade helps to end abuses such as child and slave labor. There is some controversary on the effectiveness of Fair Trade vs. classic Free Trade economics. The issues causing global poverty and labor abuses are complex, rising from a combination of local country governmental corruption and multi-national corporate exploitation.

Buy Organic

Buying merchandise certified with Organic labeling is another way to be eco-friendly. Less pesticides in our ground water is certainly a big plus for the health of your family and the Earth. Buying organic, whenever possible, sends a clear message to Growers and Manufacturers that you want more organic products in Mainstream stores.

Buy Bamboo

Buy products made from sustainable resources like bamboo, a wood-like grass, which regrows to full maturity in 5 years versus the 50-60 years of typical hardwoods. Americans are familiar with Bamboo patio furniture, but recently there has been an explosion of bamboo products flooding the market: cutting boards, dishes, flooring, and even clothing.

Be Creative

Driving and gasoline usage can be drastically cut down, if you try your hand at making things like crafts. Simplicity and enjoying being at home is craved by many Americans, who are running the career rat-race. Weekends or commute time can become creative time--a green way to make rather than to buy clothing, décor, or gifts. Use recycled materials that you already have--enjoy creativity!

Buy Bulk

Buying Bulk enables you to use less plastic. After the initial investment of storage containers, you can just keep reusing them over and over again. This cuts down driving time, but it does take planning, so that what you buy will be used before it expires.

Buy Online (See here for great sidebar choices)

Buying online, is a great, green option for the eco-conscious consumer, also resulting in less driving time. The products are delivered to your door, which amounts to splitting your "driving" time with a group of consumers via the delivery service like FedEx or UPS, instead each consumer driving to and from his individual store.

Buy Pre-Owned

Pre-Owned--the more palatable name for "used" is a great way to buy green. It is essentially recycling. The choices can yield wonderful, cheap, unique finds. Yard and Estate Sales, while they necessitate some driving, provide cheap, negotiable prices. In the same time that it would take you to peruse a Shopping Mall, you can shop 10 or more yard sales. Attend an auction: numerous non-profit organizations, like churches, schools, and volunteer groups, have Annual auctions that double as a Family Night Out. Also, an afternoon of Antiquing uses much less non-renewable resources than manufacturing and shipping merchandise from around the globe.

Enjoy the creativity of thinking and shopping outside-the-box , when you try Green Shopping Choices!

--Pamela Palmer

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