How to Save the Environment While Shopping
Bring your own bags, preferably cloth or string., Choose paper over plastic, for if you were to ever use a store bag, paper is easier to recycle than plastic. , Think of the packaging., Visit the local farmers' market., Join a co op, for all the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Bring your own bags
Stores tend to be very easy-going about using plastic bags, which are often made of petroleum products and may take hundreds of years to decompose. -
Step 2: preferably cloth or string.
, Larger items generally tend to use less packaging than smaller ones
- a two liter bottle of soda not only consumes less packaging than a six-pack of individual bottle, but it also costs less. , Local produce is fresher, and it does not require large amounts of gas to ship it.
You may even find specialty products that don't appear on your local grocery shelf.
An added bonus: you get to meet friendly people and act as a real member of the community! ,, This can cut down on the use of gas to and from the market.
You may even want to walk or bicycle together, enjoying a nice conversation. , Buy local, buy organic. , There are great bargains, the quality is usually high, and you can get reduced rates by bringing in your own used clothes that you no longer want or need.
It takes 4,000 gallons (15,141.6 L) of water to make one designer t-shirt.
The most important step in "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" is REDUCE.
By reusing someone's goods, you are reducing the demand for new products. , Don't buy just because you can.
Know why you are purchasing something, and know that you can't borrow it or that you will use it very often. , Coffee Cups, cans, tins, Styrofoam plates; everything! There is bound to be a recycling bin, and if there is not, take a small (paper) bag, and drop it off later at a local recycling facility or drop it in your own recycling bin at home. , Anything from tea bags or coffee grounds to banana peels to eggshells to paper kitchen towels can be put in there
- as long as it will degrade. -
Step 3: Choose paper over plastic
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Step 4: for if you were to ever use a store bag
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Step 5: paper is easier to recycle than plastic.
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Step 6: Think of the packaging.
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Step 7: Visit the local farmers' market.
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Step 8: Join a co op
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Step 9: for all the same reasons.
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Step 10: Go shopping with a friend.
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Step 11: Look for green "Environmentally Friendly" tags on the items you buy.
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Step 12: Visit thrift shops.
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Step 13: Make a shopping list to avoid buying things that seem appealing but you will likely never use!
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Step 14: Recycle - even at the restaurant.
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Step 15: Compost - making a compost bin for all your food waste cuts down on what goes to the landfill
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Step 16: and it can be used for your garden!
Detailed Guide
Stores tend to be very easy-going about using plastic bags, which are often made of petroleum products and may take hundreds of years to decompose.
, Larger items generally tend to use less packaging than smaller ones
- a two liter bottle of soda not only consumes less packaging than a six-pack of individual bottle, but it also costs less. , Local produce is fresher, and it does not require large amounts of gas to ship it.
You may even find specialty products that don't appear on your local grocery shelf.
An added bonus: you get to meet friendly people and act as a real member of the community! ,, This can cut down on the use of gas to and from the market.
You may even want to walk or bicycle together, enjoying a nice conversation. , Buy local, buy organic. , There are great bargains, the quality is usually high, and you can get reduced rates by bringing in your own used clothes that you no longer want or need.
It takes 4,000 gallons (15,141.6 L) of water to make one designer t-shirt.
The most important step in "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" is REDUCE.
By reusing someone's goods, you are reducing the demand for new products. , Don't buy just because you can.
Know why you are purchasing something, and know that you can't borrow it or that you will use it very often. , Coffee Cups, cans, tins, Styrofoam plates; everything! There is bound to be a recycling bin, and if there is not, take a small (paper) bag, and drop it off later at a local recycling facility or drop it in your own recycling bin at home. , Anything from tea bags or coffee grounds to banana peels to eggshells to paper kitchen towels can be put in there
- as long as it will degrade.
About the Author
Judith Rogers
Specializes in breaking down complex cooking topics into simple steps.
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