Green Shopping Guide for the Sustainable Shopper
At Novak Sanitary we do not only care about what happens to your waste after you dispose of it, we would also like you to pay attention to the first step of the consuming cycle – the purchase.
To help protect the environment, the first step is to actively take part in sustainable shopping. Knowing how to shop and how products affect the environment through the course of their life-cycle is important when living in today’s mass-consuming world. Sustainable shopping makes recycling easier and significantly reduces waste. It is also kind to the environment as well as your wallet.
To help you start living more sustainably, we have compiled a green shopping guide that will help you make smart consumer decisions.
• STEER CLEAR OF DISPOSABLE. An easy way to reduce waste and help protect the environment is to avoid purchasing plastic cups, paper plates, cheap batteries etc. Choose durable products that will last longer and opt for rechargeable batteries when possible.
• BULK UP. Buying non-perishable products in large quantities often leads to a lower price and can save you time by preventing extra trips to the store.
• TRY A TOTE. Plastic bags are hazardous to the environment. Always have a few totes easy accessible in your car or in your home. Bring them when you go shopping for groceries, clothes, or just about anything. If you don’t want to go to the mall with a tote that bears a grocery store logo, there are many stylish options to choose from elsewhere. If you are crafty you can also make your own out of old table cloths, curtains, or any other fabric you have laying around at home.
• GO BIG (and then go home). Buying the largest food containers you can find, such as ketchup by the gallon or a pillow-sized bag of cereal, will save on the packaging. At home, you can distribute them into smaller reusable containers.
• CHOOSE ORGANIC. Not only are organic products safer for the environment and wildlife, they are also healthier for your body. Toxins, pesticides, and artificial coloring enter your body more often than you think thanks to non-organic produce and body care products.
• CARPOOL. Sharing a ride with one of your neighbors not only saves gas and helps protect the environment, but it will make your trip to the grocery store more enjoyable as well!
• THRIFT SHOPS. Consignment and antique shops are great for recycling clothes, furniture, and accessories – and you will definitely get more bang for your buck! Retro clothes, sports equipment, and books are some of the gems that you can find online or in shops.
• WANT vs. NEED. Impulse shopping is sometimes hard to resist, but try to consider the life cycle of the product when making a purchase. Watch movies using an online service instead of buying DVD’s, send online invitations to events instead of sending out cards by mail, and borrow books from the library instead of buying.
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