Next time you head to the store, find a way to rebel against the culture of excess and its negative impact on the environment. You have more power than you think—the power to shift your spending to products with greater environmental benefit, the power to reduce the amount of waste you produce, the power to cut back on resources used in your home and the power to choose not to buy something. It all counts!
Don’t let rampant consumerism get a hold of your life. Follow these guidelines for making smart and sustainable purchase decisions based on conserving resources in as many ways as possible.
Before you put that item into your cart, before you step into the checkout line, before you click the accept button for an Internet order, ask yourself these questions:
If you ask yourself these questions, I bet you’ll find you don’t need to make the purchase at least 20 percent of the time. Try it and see!
Try to avoid those mindless trips to the shopping mall. Instead, plan shopping trips ahead of time and give careful thought to how you choose to spend your money.
Skip the big-box store and head to a local small business or craftsperson to find what you are looking for.
Before you head to the mall, consider buying something that has been gently used instead. You will almost certainly pay less, and you’ll be keeping a perfectly good product out of the landfill. There is no shortage of resources for used products:
Warehouse club stores like Costco and Sam’s Club can be a great way to save money. But beware the temptation to buy large quantities of junk food or more food than you can realistically eat. Stop and think before you buy: Do you really need a five-pound bag of M&M’s? Will you use up a three-liter bottle of olive oil before it goes bad? Is having a five-year supply of Post-it notes at home really a good thing?
Mindful shopping can’t be turned on like a light switch—it takes practice. From choosing the most ecofriendly items to not buying them at all, mindful shopping is a way to consider all your options. Here are some examples.
| What to Do | How to Do It |
|---|---|
| Buy fewer-high quality items | • Buy a set of durable, glass food storage containers instead of cheap plastic ones that will need to be replaced frequently • Get a pair of sturdy jeans for your child instead of trendy, inexpensive pants that will wear through at the knees |
| Look for multipurpose products rather than specialized products | • Use an ecofriendly, all-purpose household cleaner rather than separate sprays for kitchen, bathroom and disinfecting • Use a combination moisturizer and foundation or a lip balm with color instead of separate cosmetics for every application |
| Focus on experiences rather than stuff | • Give a gift of theater tickets rather than a new set of knickknacks • Make a batch of homemade cookies with your kids instead of buying pricey store-bought treats |
| Don't buy it just because it's cheap | • Your favorite store might be having a sale, but don't buy more than you can reasonably use • Keep in mind that cheap prices often mean cheap quality • Food waste is the largest contributor to global warming in the landfill. Limit purchases to what you know you can eat |
| Skip the window shopping | • If temptation is your middle name, just stay away from it • That includes Internet shopping! |
Eco-Spotlight on: The CompactHave you heard of the Compact? Started by a small group of friends in San Francisco who wanted to get off the consumer grid, the Compact is essentially a pledge not to buy anything new (except essentials like food and toilet paper) for a year at a time. The group has blossomed into a fairly large community committed to swapping, bartering, thrifting, freecycling and even dumpster diving to get what they need. To get connected with other people who are committed to the Compact, check out the Yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thecompact.
Why buy when you can borrow? Save money and keep the clutter out of your house by taking advantage of the many options for renting and borrowing common household items.
My husband and I own an old house that was remodeled in the 1970s (think jungle wallpaper and purple shag carpet). Slowly but surely we have been trying to return the house back to its late-1800s splendor. Imagine how thrilled we were when we found an oak mantelpiece on eBay that matched the woodwork in our home perfectly!It felt great to reuse something from another old house and bring it back to life in our own way.
Think twice before you head to the store—you may have something in your home already that can do the job!
| What You Need | What You Already Have |
|---|---|
| A jar to store nuts, rolled oats or other grains purchased in bulk | Glass jars from spaghetti sauce or applesauce |
| A container to hold children’s art supplies like paintbrushes or crayons | Plastic yogurt tubs, empty wipes containers or plastic drink cups kids often get from restaurants |
| A place to sort beads or buttons | Egg cartons |
| Rags to clean up spills around the house | Old T-shirts and socks |
| Drawer organizers for socks or office supplies | Shoe boxes, personal check boxes or any small cardboard box |
| Plant starters | Cardboard egg cartons (when it’s time to plant, place the cup right in the ground—it will disintegrate) |
| Trash bags | Plastic shopping bags |
A couple years ago, my husband and I made the commitment to have only one car. My husband rides his bike to work, and our second car was sitting idle most of the time. When we first embarked on this adventure we thought we might need to use a car-sharing program (Hourcar is the business in our area) every once in a while for short trips around town. It turns out that we haven’t needed it. It’s pretty easy to plan our schedules around our one car, and only rarely do we rent a car for special events.
Limit the amount of garbage you kick to the curb by purchasing goods with waste reduction in mind. You may even be able to lower your garbage collection fees by switching to monthly instead of biweekly pick-up. Challenge yourself to see how low you can go!
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nearly 80 million tons of waste from packaging and containers make their way to landfills each year. You can greatly reduce the amount of packaging waste in your garbage can by simply not bringing it home in the first place.
| Instead of | Buy |
|---|---|
| Precut fruits and vegetables in plastic containers | Whole fruits and vegetables |
| Regular laundry detergent and dish soap | Concentrated versions of the same products |
| Individually packaged applesauce | Large container of applesauce |
| Toys packaged in plastic clamshells (that are impossible to open) | Toys sold with minimal packaging |
| Small bottles of body care products | Buy the largest size that makes sense for your family |
| Individually packaged chocolates | A large bar of chocolate that can be split into smaller pieces |
| Meat packaged in nonrecyclable Styrofoam trays | Meat wrapped in butcher paper at the counter |
Take this philosophy with you when you go out to eat as well. Order ice cream in a cone instead of a plastic dish. Skip the plastic lid and straw when you get a drink. Some people I know even carry reusable utensils in their purse so they don’t need to waste the disposable kind.
Eco-Spotlight on: Frustration-Free PackagingAmazon.com now offers a selection of products with “frustration-free packaging.” Instead of hard plastic clamshells, plastic bindings and wire ties, products come packaged in a simple recyclable cardboard box. Not only will it save you from “wrap rage,” it is much easier on the environment.
With two growing boys and an active husband, we go through a lot of oatmeal. To save time, I got into the habit of buying individual oatmeal packets. But when I thought about the environmental impact of all those little packages, I changed my tune and started buying large containers of dried oats instead. Taking it one step further, I began to refill my large container with oats from the bulk bins at my local co-op. This little change in habit is not only much better for environment, it also saves me money.
Refilling product containers is one of the most impactful ways to reduce packaging waste in the home. You may be surprised to learn how many different types of products can be refilled. A food co-op or health food store will offer the largest selection of bulk products, but even conventional grocery stores are getting in on the act.
Words to the wise: If you bring an empty container to the store, be sure to weigh it before you fill it so you won’t get charged for the weight of the container at checkout. Just write down the container weight (called the tare weight) and the bin number (sometimes called a PLU or price lookup number) on the label or twist tie. It’s easy!
Just a quick word about free stuff: Don’t take if you’re not going to use it.
By following the simple steps in this section, you can greatly reduce the amount of garbage your household produces.
I have to admit that buying products in bulk was a little intimidating when I was first starting out. I wasn’t exactly sure what to do. Could I bring a container from home? Did I need to weigh it myself? What if I made a big mess? I was afraid I would do something wrong and be totally embarrassed. Asking for help was the key to overcoming my fear, and it’s been smooth sailing (or should I say filling?) ever since.
| Category | Types of Products | How-To |
|---|---|---|
| Dry foods | Nuts, grains, seeds, beans, flour and other baking products, pasta, granola and other cereals, dried fruits, spices, coffee and tea, snacks | • Bring jars or bags from home and fill them up with whatever you need • Reusable cotton food bags are a nice investment • Stores have plastic bags available if you forget your own |
| Wet, liquid and refrigerated foods | Peanut and other nut butters, cooking oils, vinegar, soy sauce, sweeteners like honey, maple syrup and agave nectar, pine nuts, flaxseed and brewer's yeast | • Fill up your own container to avoid having to purchase a new one • Save original containers from products like peanut butter or honey • Plastic containers are usually available for purchase |
| Dairy products | Milk, cream and eggs | • Pay a deposit on a glass milk or cream bottle. Then bring it back to the store for credit and pick up a fresh bottle • Bring an egg carton from home to pack your own fresh eggs |
| Personal care products | Shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, styling products, bubble bath, massage oil, etc. | • Bring an empty bottle from home and refill it from the selection of bulk products available |
| Cleaning products | Dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, etc. | • Fill up your original bottle at an in-store refill station or with a refill pouch |
| Printer cartridges | Many brands for home office printers | • Bring in used printer cartridges to be refilled at your local office supply store or refill kiosk |
Disposable products sure are convenient, but there is a big environmental price to pay for all the garbage they create. Investing in reusable products may require a higher initial cost, but they almost always save you money in the long run.
| Instead of | Buy |
|---|---|
| Paper towels and disposable wipes | • Cotton washcloths for wiping kids' messy faces • Reusable microfiber cloths for dusting and polishing • Keep a supply of absorbent cotton rags or cloths under the sink for cleaning up messes |
| Disposable plates, cups and utensils | • Reusable tableware made from recycled plastic • Plates and utensils made from ecofriendly bamboo (bambu is a popular brand) |
| Disposable batteries | • Rechargeable batteries |
| Disposable razors | • Reusable razors • Better yet, buy a razor made from recycled plastic like those from Preserve |
| Swiffer and similar disposable cleaning cloths for sweeping and mopping | • Durable, reusable cleaning tools • Method's omop uses washable microfiber mop pads |
| Disposable cameras | • Invest in an inexpensive digital camera |
| Facial tissues | • Reusable handkerchiefs are making a big comeback |
"Be prepared" isn't just a Boy Scout motto, it's the cry of the ecoconcious. Stowing durable, reusable items in strategic places can keep you from adding to the landfill.
| Having | Keeps You From Wasting |
|---|---|
| A reusable water bottle with you at all times | Disposable plastic water bottles purchased spur of the moment |
| A reusable coffee mug in your bag | Paper cups at the coffee shop or office |
| Reusable grocery bags in the car | Plastic or paper bags at the grocery store |
| A compact bag (like a ChicoBag) in your purse | A plastic bag at the gift shop (skip the bag completely for small purchases you can carry) |
| Reusable utensils at your desk | Plastic utensils from the takeout place |
Go one step further by purchasing products with packaging made from recycled materials. Look for the universal recycling symbol on the back or bottom of a package, accompanied by language indicating the percentage of recycled content as well as the percentage (if any) of postconsumer waste as well as the percentage (if any) of postconsumer waste used. (Postconsumer waste is material that has previously been used by consumers, as opposed to factory scraps that were never part of a product to begin with.) Products that may come in recycled packaging include:
According to the US Department of Energy, heating and cooling accounts for over half the total energy used in an average home. In colder climates (like Minnesota, where I live), heating alone can make up two-thirds of the bill. A rule of thumb is that you will save 1 to 2 percent on your heating bill for every one degree you lower the thermostat.
Energy usage is a major factor when it comes to conserving resources in the home. Fortunately, there are many ways you can boost energy efficiency without sacrificing comfort. Begin with the tips that don’t cost anything (a change in habit is all that is required), and then pick out some low-cost ideas. Finally, consider making energy-saving investments in your home that will save you money in the long run. Remember, every little step makes a difference.
Let’s start with the freebies: You don’t have to pay a dime to make these simple changes that can save you a real chunk of change over the course of a year.
These minimal investments will buy you supplies and services that will most certainly make a dent in your annual home energy bills.
Ditch your conventional wall adapter for a charging device that gets its energy from the sun. Solar-powered chargers are perfect for people on the go, but there’s no reason why you can’t use them at home as well. exercise and knock a chore off the list at the same time.
For a little more dough, you can make changes that will have a big impact on your environmental footprint and will definitely save you money in the long run.
We have a tendency to think that water is free and everlasting because of the ease in which it flows from our taps. The truth is, only about 1 percent of Earth’s water is drinkable. To make matters worse, the drinking water that is pumped into our homes is also used to wash dishes, water lawns and bathe our bodies. Personal water use varies greatly per person, but the average American drains at least one hundred gallons of water per day. Lower your daily drain by following these tips.
Our high-efficiency furnace drains condensed water (a product of the heating process) into the sink in our laundry room. Instead of letting that perfectly good grey water go down the drain, I collect it in a watering can and use it on my houseplants. Admittedly, I sometimes feel like a crazy lady for all the little eco-minded things I do around the house, but each one is an important way to save our precious natural resources!
