Retail Recycling

Shopping and buying for the Environment - Before you make any purchase; ask yourself how it will impact the Earth.

There are a lot of easy steps you can take right now that will benefit the planet. Start by using your purchasing power wisely with the following guide to "GREEN" shopping:

Look for recycled products

These days, recycled paper is everywhere from cool greeting cards to toilet tissue to computer paper. By choosing recycled paper products, you cut waste and save trees - it's that simple. "Post consumer" recycling- buying and reusing a product that has already been recycled is best.

Make a fashion statement

Many eco friendly clothing brands produce stylish, comfy clothes made with organic or recycled fibers. The best organic materials are hemp, linen, cotton and wool. Also look for manufacturers that promote fair trade and fair labor (no sweatshop) policies. Rather than drive to the actual mall, check out the virtual ecomall.com the next time you're in the market for a new outfit.

Choose cars carefully

If you or your parents are shopping for a new car, make mileage a key criterion. Using less gas helps reduce global warming as well as water and air pollution. It also cuts the need for oil drilling. The new hybrid cars get 60-70 miles per gallon. Also look for Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles that produce less pollution. (To learn more, visit greenercars.com)

Buy energy-efficient products

It's easy to figure out which ones they are. Just look for the "Energy Star" label that the Department of Energy and the EPA award to efficient appliances. You can find it on computers, TV's, DVDs and light bulbs. Today' fluorescents provide excellent light that lets you see well and look great. (To learn more about the Energy Star program, visit energystar.gov)

Buy organic - and local

Most groceries and farmer's markets sell organic produce. These fruits and vegetables don't contain pesticides and chemical fertilizers that can pollute water and kill wildlife.

Check labels. Buying locally means less energy is needed to drive your products to the market. Seek out local fruits and vegetables, or even try growing your own. Bring a cloth bag along every time you shop. Then you can say "no" to both paper and plastic. (There's not much difference in the impact each has on the environment.) Plus, if you buy in bulk, you'll reduce the total amount of disposable packaging. (Learn more at organicconsumers.org)

Eat lower on the food chain

You can help the planet (and yourself) by eating more fruits, vegetables and grains, and less meat. Ranching takes lots of space and energy and can pollute the water supply. Plus many trees in rainforest areas of Central America have been cut down to create fields to raise beef. So the next time you're in a fast food restaurant, try ordering a veggie burger instead of a hamburger. Or be a vegetarian just one day a week. Even nonvegetarians often love vegan "turkey" club sandwiches!

Save your money - and the planet!

Don't buy things you don't need. Manufacturing a glow-in-the-dark lava lamp requires energy and stuff you don't want ends up in landfills. Rather than throw your old Nintendo away, try to sell it on eBay, or become a part of the worldwide "gifting movement" by offering it to someone else through the Website freecycle.org. The lucky recipient - and the Earth - will thank you.

One way you can help - Stay informed!

As an informed consumer, you can have a big impact on big business. After learning about how tuna fisheries were killing dolphins, consumers convinced companies to adopt new fishing methods. So do your research and scan newspapers or the Internet for news on a company whose products you buy. Are there any articles on how the corporation impacts the environment?

Look for advertisements for any "green" products. Why are they? How is the product being advertised as environmentally friendly? Ask questions about these products. Write a letter to the editor of the paper explaining why you will buy or boycott any of these products and send a copy to the company's CEO.

Source: Parade Magazine 2008