Empowerment Strategies for Consumers

Many of us believe that one person cannot change things for the better when it comes to the environment. It feels impossible not to pollute the Earth in some way and many aspects of environmental health are simply out of our hands. It is possible to gain a greater level of control over the health of our planet through changing bad habits and developing good ones. While a single human being may not make much of a difference, millions of humans engaging in the same small task can move mountains.Luckily now the government and big business industry are getting involved as the environmental crisis escalates to an alarming level.

Consumers often experience high levels of stress because they are inundated with commercials, advertisements, infomercials and other sales strategies at all times. A very important part of being a responsible consumer is knowing the difference between things you need and things you want. Before making a purchase (especially one you are considering after watching a flashy presentation) consider what it can and cannot do for you and whether the positives outweigh the negatives. Also consider its life span and what will happen when you are done with it.

In many cases this would be the landfill. However by shopping smarter you can recycle many of your goods and even make compost from food and yard waste. When you shop for new merchandise examine the package to see if it is biodegradable and/or made from recycled materials. You would be amazed to learn how much needless packaging clutters our landfills. During grocery outings take a canvas bag and don't use plastic bags from the store as they are also often wasted.

Consider shopping for groceries at farmer's markets and bulk stores. When you don't pay for extra packaging, you save money and help the Earth. Normally it is estimated that around ten percent of retail product price is just for packaging. The less packaging, the better. By cutting down on packaging for the products you buy you are putting more money in your wallet (because the unpackaged product is cheaper) and you're being good to the environment.

Here are some basic tips that can lead to more empowered shopping so you save money while helping the planet:

Avoid remorse by refusing to buy things you don't really need. The money belongs to you and is not the property of the salesperson, department store or flashy infomercial. What do you want to do with it? Is the merchandise you are considering useful in some way? Environmentally friendly? How much use will you get out of it? These are all questions to ask yourself before making a purchase. Also, don't fall prey to the trick of 'if you don't buy now they'll all be gone' because there will always be more even if the item is limited edition.

It's so easy to become entranced with a new product without even thinking about how much trouble it might be worth. It's akin to bringing home a new puppy – usually they are more trouble and more expensive than people realize. Is this new product going to cost you money in the long run? Are you overlooking the negatives in favor of alluring marketing and packaging?

Make sure any appliances or electronics you purchase are Energy Star approved. And, always select merchandise made from renewable, sustainable materials like recycled paper, silk, wool, hemp, cotton and timber grown on plantations.

Choose reliable products from trusted manufacturers. This may cost more in the beginning but will pay for itself in the long run. As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. Choose hardwood and steel furniture as opposed to soft wood and composite materials. Select from time-trusted brand names rather than generic names you've never heard of.

When you purchase products that can be reused, you get more for your money and a longer use for the product. For example, instead of choosing disposable diapers for your baby choose cloth ones, which can be used over and over and rarely end up in the landfill. Rather than buying paper plates and plastic utensils, use dishes that can be washed then reused.

When buying fruits and vegetables it is advisable to choose produce that is in season. This supports your local farmers and is less expensive for you. Also it bears less negative weight on the environment because you're not buying produce that had to be shipped via polluting vehicles. There are probably one or more farmer's markets in your local area.

Be vigilant when it comes to reading product literature. Words to look for definitely include nontoxic and biodegradable. Recycled products are also favorable. Also check to see how much packaging is being used, or how much is being wasted.

Many times there are buy one, get one free specials which aren't necessarily good for our planet. You end up with twice the trash when you are done with the items. When you need extra space for something new that free item will eventually end up in a landfill. Of course, the buy one, get one specials are always great when it comes to food items.

The more you know about our environment, its problems and how each of us can help, the better. When you become a responsible consumer you make a mark on the economy and the environment and perhaps even encourage others to do the same. This is how big changes in the world happen, with small steps.

Empowerment Strategies for Consumers

Go Green! It's Easier Than You Think