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Shopping green know how
Reusing is way more efficient and better for the planet overall than recycling. Recycling is great, don't get me wrong, but it takes a lot of energy (people and resources) to recycle. Reusing anything makes more sense to me.
Cloth bags are a good example. I have 5 cloth bags that I keep in my vehicle for all my shopping trips. I use my bags not just for groceries, but for trips to the hardware store, the book store, and the yarn store. I can reuse them over and over and over, whereas a plastic bag can only be used a couple of times. My cloth bags were all freebies. They are all made from heavy-weight canvas cloth and have flat bottoms. They stand up by themselves and have long, durable handles. Some even have a pocket on the outside. I also own three nylon bags that I bought at our local market. These are also great for other uses such as holding my knitting projects. These particular ones fold into their own pocket and live in my glove box.
Most plastic bags are made in such a way that they get tears in the seams after one or two uses. And they don't hold much weight. And they don't break down in the landfill. Not to mention all the damage that plastic bags can do to the environment, animal, and plant life. Garbage on the side of the road is never pretty, but plastic bags hanging off bushes and trees are especially tasteless and pervasive, at least in these parts. The one thing that you can reuse plastic grocery bags is for lining small garbage cans. At least this saves on buying separate plastic garbage can liners.
Forming the habit of using your cloth bags takes a bit of work, as with forming any new habit. Here's a TIP: Always put your cloth bags back into the vehicle after unpacking. Keep them in the front seat if you can; or if you have children and/or pets and must put them in the backseat or the trunk, put a sticky note on your dashboard to remind you. Many people don't remember their bags until they are waiting in line to checkout, which is too late.
Now that I have the habit, I feel naked walking into a store without my own bags.
What's the top reason shoppers don't buy green? (Hint: It ain't cheap.)
That's right. Price.
According to the 2007 GfK Roper Green Gauge® Study, about 40% of consumers say they'd pay for a product that's better for the environment. But at the same time, 74% of those surveyed say green products are too expensive. Hopefully, supply and demand will eventually bring down the price of eco-friendly goods. But in the meantime, how can green shoppers save cash?
Here are a few thrifty tips that can help eco-conscious consumers stretch their dollars:
How to Find Green Bargains
Sales: There are lots of green e-tailers with sales pages and seasonal promotions on their websites -- everyone from big companies such as green living cataloger Gaiam to small mom-and-pop businesses.
Coupons: Unfortunately, coupons for organic foods are not nearly as common as they are for conventional grocery items. However, many organic dairy companies, such as Horizon Organic and Stonyfield Farms, do offer coupons on their websites.
Bulk Discounts: Buying in bulk is one of the easiest ways to save money. Amazon.com offers lots of super-sized green goods -- everything from 10 packs of Seventh Generation paper towels to 4 packs of Ecos Laundry Detergent. Many organic meat companies offer bulk savings through their websites as well. If a large quantity order is too much for your household, find a "bulk buddy" and split the order.
Free Shipping: Free shipping deals from green e-tailers offer a great value for folks who don't live within easy driving distance to stores with eco-friendly products. Just be sure to read the fine print -- minimum purchase orders and restrictions often apply.
"We all know that running a home can be costly
so great savings are essential and helpful
to a balanced home life".
HSBC Home Ins | MORE THAN Home Insurance | TESCO | Liverpool Victoria | Natwest | Norwich Union |
