| Environmental
Shopping Tips |
|
| The best approach to managing
waste is to avoid producing waste - in the products you buy
and items you throw away. |
| The following tips can be
used to help reduce the amount of packaging or products you
throw away. |
| Think before
you buy... |
|
Consider the potential waste associated with the products
you want to buy. What part of the product will be discarded
after purchase? What type of waste will be generated in using
the product?
|
| Buy only what
you need... |
| Buy the right amount of the right product
you need for the task. Consider each purchase and ask yourself
"Do I really need to make this purchase?" and "Do I already
have something that I can use instead?" |
| Select durable
items... |
| Many disposable items, such as razors, sandwich
bags, plastic plates, and batteries, can be substituted with
more durable, washable, repairable, or reusable products.
Invest in durable items that you can use over and over again,
such as plastic sandwich containers, ceramic coffee mugs,
electric razors, and rechargeable batteries. |
| Buy products
having the least amount of packaging... |
|
Many products come in a wide choice of packaging options available
for the products you purchase regularly. Avoid those that
use several layers when one would do.
|
| Buy a package
size which is the largest possible for your needs which does
not result in product waste... |
| Larger sizes generally use less packaging
per unit of product. Items with a long shelf life, such as
laundry detergent, window cleaner, and dry pet food, can be
purchased in large containers. Refill a smaller spray bottle
or dispenser from the large container. |
| Look for products
with reusable packaging rather than throw-aways... |
| For example, frozen and microwave-able convenience
foods often come with a reusable dish. |
| Consider multifunction
products... |
|
Such as shampoo plus conditioner, or laundry detergent and
bleach combined as one product.
|
| Buy products
in concentrated forms or in refillable packaging... |
|
Concentrated cleaning supplies can be diluted and poured into
containers that can be used many times.
|
| Pick packages
which can be recycled in your community and recycle them...
|
| For products whose package materials are
not currently recyclable in your community, look for ways
to reduce the amount you buy - for instance, buy concentrated
products or refills. |
| Buy items
packaged with recycled materials... |
| To stimulate use for items collected in local
recycling programs |
| Know the rules
of your local program and follow them... |
|
Even though a package is labeled recyclable, it may not be
accepted by the recycling program in your community. Each
recycling center has different requirements for sorting, removing
caps and labels, rinsing, etc. Improve the efficiency and
cost-effectiveness of your local program by following these
rules.
|
| Contact manufacturers
to let them know what you think of their packages... |
| Manufacturers listen and will change packages
in response to customer needs. Your buying decisions, attitudes,
and preferences influence businesses and industries to change
products to adopt practices that affect the environment in
many ways. |