Reduce Waste When You Shop
“Trash” is probably not an item on your shopping list, but that might be what you are buying, at least in part. By buying stuff that is disposable, poor quality or over-packaged, your purchases can soon end up as garbage.
Green and practical shopping habits can help decrease your impact on the environment and on your wallet. (Check out the printer-friendly version of these tips here.)
Before You Shop
1. Make a Shopping List and Stick to It
Arm yourself with a shopping list to aid in the resistance against carefully constructed displays and sales that beg you to buy unnecessary “good deals.” A 
good way to make this list is to make a weekly menu and purchase accordingly.
2. Plan Your Trip
Combine your trip to the store with other errands to minimize the number of vehicle trips. If you are only picking up a few items, consider riding your bike or walking to the store.
3. Remember Your Reusable Shopping Bags
The next time the cashier asks, “Paper or plastic?”, hand them you reusable bags and say, “Neither.” Using reusable bags is easy, inexpensive and makes a real difference in reducing waste.
The toughest part can be remembering to take your bags into the store. Find a trick that works for you... Put it a note on the door. Keep them in your car. Recruit your kids’ memories. Write “BAGS” at the top of your shopping list.
At the Store
1. Read the Labels
“Post-consumer recycled content” or “Recycled content” – Products made with recycled materials. Fewer natural resources, such as trees, were used to produce those items.
“Organic” – Farmed without the use of pesticides, antibiotics, or genetically modified organisms. This is certified by states where the food is produced or by the USDA.
“Energy Star” – Products are energy-efficient, certified by the US government.
“Forest Stewardship Council” – Wood products from well-managed forests.
2. Buy Products in the Largest Size You Can
About ten cents of every shopping dollar is used to pay for packaging, and small sizes use more packaging per ounce than larger sizes. Choosing larger sizes or buying in bulk instead of individual serving sizes can help save money and the environment.
· Buy cereal in large boxes instead of individual serving sizes
· Buy juice concentrate and put the desired amount into a reusable bottle or pitcher
· Buy in bulk and repackage in reusable containers
3. Avoid “Trashy” Packaging
Compare items and opt for the one with the least packaging or with packaging that is more easily recycled.
4. Buy Reusable and Long-lasting Items
Instead of buying disposable products, opt for reusable products, when possible:
· Rechargeable batteries instead of one-time use batteries
· Washable plates, cups, silverware, napkins and towels instead of disposable products
· A washable commuter or ceramic mug instead of a paper cup
· Clean and service your belongings so that they will enjoy even longer lives. Also, before you replace them, check to see if they are repairable.
· Consider sharing equipment or tools that are used infrequently such as hedge clippers or chain saws.
5. Buy Local
Buying products made or grown locally reduces the environmental effects associated with shipping long distances.