Sustainable shopping: Easy tips for going green

With the increasing threat of climate change, many people are paying attention to the impact their everyday actions have on the planet. Take shopping, for example. If you’re looking to become a more environmentally conscious consumer, there’s never been a better time to form green and sustainable shopping habits. And, keep in mind that going green doesn’t have to mean spending more — in many cases, you can actually save money!

Try these 7 easy tips

1. Buy local and in season. Whenever possible, buy items sourced locally. Local means less travel and carbon dioxide emissions, and fresh food generally tastes better. As a rule, if you stick to buying seasonal produce, it's more likely to have been harvested locally.
2. Reduce plastic use. It’s estimated that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. How can you help? Avoid products with excessive packaging (such as single-use bottles). Buy fresh fruit and vegetables loose rather than wrapped in plastic. And, always take your own reusable cloth bags with you to the store.
3. Choose sustainable products. Shop products that have been responsibly sourced and made without the use of harmful chemicals or pesticides. Look at labels and opt for products marked fair-trade, organic, safe catch, non-GMO, and social association to make sure that what you’re buying is good for the environment. The EPA Safer Choice program was created to help consumers find safer, more natural cleaning products.
4. Shop secondhand. Products that have been recycled are champions for the environment. Instead of buying new things all the time, browse thrift shops and yard sales to shop for pre-loved items. You can save a lot of money by shopping this way and can often come across some unique finds.
5. Consider energy-efficient goods. Electrical items in the home can guzzle energy, so choose to replace appliances with energy-efficient models (those with high energy efficiency ratings). Over time, the money you save from reduced energy bills will soon pay for itself.
6. Group online purchases. Since every online purchase puts a delivery truck on the road, it’s best to order multiple things at the same time. Retailers can often pack all of the items into a single box to reduce waste. Selecting a slower delivery option, such as setting an Amazon Day, gives the retailer flexibility to choose the most efficient delivery.
7. Simply buy less. Planning your shopping, rather than making impulse purchases, can go a long way in helping to reduce your carbon footprint and eliminate waste. Consider borrowing from a friend or repurposing something you already own before you buy new.

Simply being more thoughtful about what you buy and how you buy it could have a meaningful impact on some of the environmental challenges facing our planet.