What is Green Purchasing? Tips for shopping Green!

Your headed to the grocery store or the mall and you ask, what will make this a greener trip? First you grab your own reusable bags, good start! Next think about your purchases, how can they be greener?

Let’s talk about:

Did you know that since your parents were born, the amount of trash each American generates has doubled?*

“Green purchasing”

Green purchasing means buying smart. Shop with the environment in mind—that is, buy products that help conserve natural resources, save energy, and prevent waste. Green purchasing can also mean not buying things you don’t need. By educating yourself about the products you buy, you can make a difference in protecting the environment.
Green purchasing involves learning about all the ways that a product can affect the environment during the course of its “life cycle”—from the materials used to manufacture it, to how you use it, to what you do with it when you’re finished with it—so that you can make smart choices. Consider things that are made local, chemical free,

“Shopping”

Buy smart. Take some time to think before you buy something—maybe you don’t really need it. Maybe you can think of an alternative to buying a product, such as renting aDVD instead of buying it or sending a free e-card instead of a paper birthday card. Shopping with the environment in mind will conserve resources, prevent waste, and best of all save money!

“Buy durable products”

Instead of buying disposable products, which are wasteful, buy things that will last a long time, such as rechargeable batteries and reusable drink bottles. Buy glass instead of plastic when available.

“Avoid excess packaging”

Look for products that have less packaging, or buy in bulk—you’ll have less to throw away. You can also buy items with packaging that can be reused or recycled, or that is made from recycled materials.

“Buy used”

Buying things that have been used before means that your purchase doesn’t use more resources or energy. If the item is still reusable when you’re through with it, then the next person to use it is not using additional resources either. You can find authentic retro clothes, room accessories, and even sports equipment at your local thrift store. Shop online or at local stores to buy used CDs and books. Get out to a garage sale or the flea market, not only are you reusing, it can be fun. Also check out Givmo a great source for giving away your old things or finding something that someone else is giving away.

“Green Purchasing Tips”

“Buy Recycled”

Buying items made with recycled-content materials means that fewer natural resources, such as trees, were used to produce the products. Products made from recycled paper, plastic, and other materials are usually easy to recognize in the store—just read the labels. Try starting with school supplies. Many stores carry recycled notebooks, pens, and other products.

“Buy energy-efficient items”

Look for the ENERGY STAR® logo when buying electronics such as TVs, CD players, DVD players, and comput- ers. ENERGY STAR is a program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products.

“Share”

A great way to save resources and energy is to share or trade items with friends or family.

Why would a big corporation care what you think? Because your current and future purchasing power is extremely important to them. In fact, companies spend $12 billion a year marketing their products to you. Shopping “green” sends a message to the companies—that you care about the environment, and you’re not afraid to use your buying power to prove it.

Buying “green” lets companies know that you care about the environmental impact of the products you buy.

So from now on, ask yourself one simple question,  What can I do today to be Green, or Greener than yesterday?

Go Green America!

Go Green America TV Host – Jeff Davis

Make a change, make a difference!!

A message from GGATV Host Jeff Davis, “the Go Green Guy”

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