If you want to be a green shopper, you should consider a few things. Let’s start with, what is a green shopper? Essentially a green shopper is someone who considers the sustainability of everything they buy regarding the environmental and social impact of their purchases. Now, can it be done during the holidays? It sure can, it can be done all year long!
Avoiding Excess Packaging
A green shopper will avoid buying anything that has too much packaging especially if that packaging is not in and of itself something that can be reused and repurposed and doesn’t rot. These are all factors in considering any type of product including how long it will last. For example, if you know a table, you’re buying that is made from reclaimed wood will last your lifetime and your child’s lifetime then the purchase is likely more sustainable than buying a fad table that is made from plastic.
I got a big bone to pick with high-end beauty products!! Even nail polish is in on it! I really do not need the box for the nail polish I am buying, in fact I have a drawer of just nail polish boxes! I don’t need them, and they can’t be used for anything else!
Ensuring That You Use Fewer Resources
Every product we produce uses resources not just for production but to get it to the place that people are going to buy it. Choosing to buy from companies that use renewable energy, less packaging, and with an eye toward recycle-ability makes a huge difference in whether you can be considered a green shopper or not. If you buy online? You can check their websites, and these days many of the more Eco-friendly shops will use things like wind energy. In fact, the hosting company I use for my blog? That is what they use! Check out Hostinger here!
Trying to Recycle More
Most people who are green shoppers also tend to recycle more themselves. They know what materials they can put in their compost, and they know the right way to recycle things that cannot be composted. They try to find ways to recycle or reuse everything they ever buy. Usually, they know how to do it before making the purchase. Start by showing your children how to recycle and why its important. There are many toy companies that do not use plastic but create their toys using wood instead. It might cost more? But they will last longer. Check out this article about 20 of the best American made Wood Toys!
Buying Items That Can Recycle
When a green shopper buys something, they already know if it can be recycled and how before making the purchase. In this way, they aren’t contributing as much to the landfill because they know that the item can be recycled. Nothing is more upsetting is when your washer/dryer breaks and they recommend it would cost less to replace the set, than it would be to fix them!! ( yes, this just happened to me)
Buying Items That Are Reusable
Sometimes buying items that don’t rot, and that isn’t recyclable but are reusable is an option too. If your cat’s favorite treat comes in a plastic container, can you find a way to reuse that container for something else? What about the butter containers or jars that you buy? Can they be reused and how?
Buying Items that Improve the Environment
Many green shoppers enjoy buying items that improve their environment such as planting native plants in their yard or building a food forest. Perhaps you want to buy solar power or containers to catch rainwater all of which can improve your environment.
Buying Items that Are Socially Responsible
Sometimes sustainability isn’t only about the environment. Sometimes it’s about buying for a fair price from a small farmer who uses safe growing practices. For example, do you know where you get your coffee and tea? Is it sustainable? Is it fair to the farmers and those who are picking the product? Taking the time to go to the farmer’s market to buy your veggies, helps with your carbon footprint. The veggies might not be the prettiest? But are you eating them because they are pretty? Or because they are good for you? Check out my blog about GMO Foods here.
Researching Company Practices for Sustainability
Finally, one thing that is super important if you want to be a green shopper is to look beyond the advertisements to the truth. Learn all you can about each company you buy from to ensure that they’re not only using green packaging, green growing, but are also treating people well in the process.
If you want to become a green shopper, take the time to research the items, you think you need as well as potential alternatives. Try to buy locally from people who care about the environment and their own impact on the earth. If more of us are willing to try and do our research, buy local, that is just little things that help Mother Earth.
