The things we buy are expected to make our lives better or easier. But the choices we make can have unintended impacts on our lifestyle and the environment. How do we strike a balance?
The Living Green Expo is about making good choices about what you buy—and what you don't. Learn about questions you can ask about a product, how it's made/used/discarded, and how to use that information to make decisions.
Look around and you'll notice our homes are filled with myriad products ranging from durable goods such as appliances to cotton towels and linens. While many products are intended to improve our quality of life (such as turning on the stereo to listen to a favorite jazz musician or cooking a cozy meal on your gas stove), the manufacture, use, and disposal of household products impacts our environment.
Fortunately we can make choices that reduce our environmental impact. For example, buy a stereo from a manufacturer that will recycle its components at the end of its useful life. Choose energy-efficient appliances for the kitchen. Before making any purchase, ask yourself a few questions:
Do I need this item?
How often will I really use it?
What is it made from?
What will I do with it when I'm done using it?
Often the best option for the environment and your quality of life is to simply make fewer purchases. Borrow and lend infrequently used items, such as gardening or power tools. Check out the want ads, garage sales, or thrift stores for gently used items, instead of buying new.
Ten Things You Can Do
Shop less and reuse instead. You may find that many items at home are multi-purpose.
Reduce waste. Buy consumable items such as foods in bulk to reduce packaging. Bring reusable canvas bags when shopping. Install a water filtration system instead of lugging home gallons of water in non-reusable containers.
Think before your throw. Before throwing anything away, consider reuse and recycling options. For more information, see GreenGuardian.com.
Conserve energy. Choose EnergyStar-rated appliances. Unplug appliances when not in use. Replace standard light bulbs with energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs or light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
Clean wisely. Use less-toxic household cleaning products made from natural ingredients and without petrochemicals. You can make your own effective alternatives, or purchase commercial formulations.
Choose organic cotton and renewable fibers: towels, linens, diapers, rugs, pillows and clothing.
Buy natural products. Look for soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and other personal care products that are 100% natural.
Buy recycled products. Look for products made from post-consumer recycled materials and put the materials you recycle to good use. Products range from outdoor furniture and decking to glassware.
Redecorate with your health and the environment in mind. Choose low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints and natural plant-based finishes. Use natural flooring products such as bamboo, recycled glass tiles, and area rugs made from natural fibers such as hemp and sisal.
Reduce paper waste. Use cloth napkins and towels instead of paper products. When in the home office, print on both sides of paper. Look for paper products that are made without chlorine. Refill your printer ink with remanufactured cartridges.
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