How to Save Energy When Shopping
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(Numbers indicate order in which each idea was added to website.)
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4 Buy water in gallon or larger jugs
17 Shop environmentally and understand what that means Read More
18 Don’t take receipts at gas station or restaurants or anywhere Read More
24 Take your own coffee cup to coffee shops
40 Buy food for one day
41 Buy foods in bulk when it makes sense Read More
44 Buy products in metal or glass containers instead of plastic
65 Always take paper over plastic
123 Don’t buy what you don’t need
124 Avoid products with excess packaging Read More
125 Buy for durability, life long products Read More
127 Visit and buy from second hand stores and thrift shops
134 Use paper products made of recycled paper
137 Check availability of item online or by call before going out to find it
140 Shop virtually Read More
291 Buy booze in glass bottles
356 Don't use plastic tooth picks, buy wooden ones instead
385 Buy lip balm in plastic free container
441 Order more than one item at a time when online
508 When shopping, refuse a bag if you don't need it
509 Reuse your grocery bags or better yet, go www.reusablebags.com
510 Do you really need to use individual plastic bags for produce at the grocery store?
562 Buy coffee in bags rather than plastic containers
666 Avoid products with several layers of packaging
690 Buy milk in cartons not plastic bottles
707 Buy chocolates that are not individually wrapped
964 Become a member of a local co-op Read More
1038 Take groceries and products to car unbagged and place in empty boxes in trunk
1185 Buy biodegradable, non-toxic golf balls Read More
1188 Make produce bags from t-shirts Read More
1246 Buy fewer processed foods
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Ways to Save Energy at the Grocery Store
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27 Refuse second wrap for meat at grocery store. I mean its already wrapped
45 Buy cereal in bags or boxes but not in both a box and a bag
46 Don’t wrap produce at store buy loose and put in cloth bags
50 Buy from local farmers Read More
52 Eat seasonal foods to reduce food transport costs
91 Bag it yourself.
92 Buy meat not wrapped in plastic
136 Buy from farmers markets
143 Plan your meals in advance of shopping - make a list!
It's amazing how much good a shopping list can do. It will save you time, help you focus on the things you need rather than fall victim to impulse buying, help you stay within your budget, allow you to consider buying good foods, let family members make input into the family diet, reduce stress by eliminating panic buying, reduce waste, contribute to family health, and, oh yes, save you money. With a bit of discipline you can achieve all these benefits and make grocery shopping a more pleasant experience.
When making your list take your time and do a good job. Find a list making tool or post a list builder on the fridge. At the top of every list put the following: Avoid Excessive Packaging, Avoid Plastics, Buy Fair Trade, Inspect Chemical Content, Remember the Cloth Shopping Bags, Buy in Bulk, Buy Local, Buy Organic.
There is an old saying in business; "failing to plan is planning to fail". Get into the Eco-Shopping List habit.
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215 Buy sustainable sea food Read More
220 Buy cans or glass bottles instead of plastic bottles
236 Find and buy toilet paper not wrapped in plastic
315 Return containers for food to farmers market to be reused
316 Buy Fresh breads in paper bags or no bags
317 Choose milk in returnable milk bottles
318 Buy large wheels of unwrapped cheese
319 Choose wine in glass with corks
320 Choose plastic-free chewing gum - that’s right Read More
361 Stop buying frozen convenience foods DEBATE Read More Debate
362 Buy dishwasher detergent in a box
379 Look for plastic free shoes Read More
593 Buy as little tissue as possible and not in small packages
681 Bring container to butcher and for prepared foods at store
715 Buy biodegradable cat litter
843 Buy 100% recycled toilet paper
986 Buy compostable plates, knives, forks and spoons
1070 Choose wine bottles with real cork to avoid BPA and plastics
1079 Use returnable growlers to buy beer Read More
1110 Don't buy tea bags
1221 Buy Inglorious fruits and vegetables Read More
1222 Should you buy sustainable palm oil? DEBATE Read More
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Hard-goods and Clothing
165 Buy wood products with a Forest Stewardship Council certificate Read More
186 Buy paper based cotton buds with paper spindle
219 Buy clothing and other items from environmental groups
221 Buy wooden toilet seats
226 Look for sustainability product stamps and certifications
331 When shopping always ask "What on this product is plastic"
332 When shopping always ask "What are the chemicals in this product"
714 Buy organic cotton clothing Read More
862 Buy fair trade products Read More
1035 Choose natural fabrics - cotton, wool, flax and hemp
1098 Remember wool clothing needs less washing Read More
1194 Buy recycled backyard play equipment Read More
1196 Go with Green Mattress Read More
1234 Be in tune with foods that carry the most pesticides Read More
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