Discernment Required for the Conscious Consumer

Attention Holiday Shoppers! The holidays are about giving, so this year give a little something back to the planet while you are shopping for your holiday gifts. As a green living consultant, I explain that everything you buy affects the Earth, but some choices have a lesser impact. Cost and quality are important factors, but there are other factors to consider when making purchasing decisions this holiday season.

The problem? It's not always so easy to spot a green product. The unique differences in green choices are often not visual, but hidden in parts of interconnected processes that most of us take for granted or are simply not interested in (production, packaging, distribution, etc.)

The solution? Increase eco awareness, educate, and learn how to shop green. Within our sustainability plans, we define a green product as one that performs as good as or better than the standard product, has less of an environmental impact, and is cost competitive.   We encourage clients to exercise discernment in evaluating products and services. Evaluate the company: does it demonstrate sustainability values in the core business as well as in the products and services that it is offering?   Ideally, sustainable businesses communicates which eco action(s) it is taking, which areas are improving and by how much while also publishing areas for improvement and the business sustainability strategies implemented to address them.

There is power in leveraging purchases to support credible and sustainable businesses.   As a personal consultant, I offer a few suggestions to make the distinction.

Research before you buy. For larger more infrequent items, set aside time to research your options. Evaluate products on the full lifecycle. How much energy was used in producing the product? What is the energy consumption of your intended use? How it will be discarded later? Compare products with eco awareness in mind.
Look for eco-labels. An eco-label is a logo indicating a product or company that has met an environmentally preferable standard.
Buy local and buy in bulk. Supporting local businesses eliminates the need for products to be transported far distances.
Buy organic. Purchasing merchandise certified with organic labeling is another way to bring eco awareness to your lifestyle. Buying organic means less pesticides in our ground water and better health for your family.
Buy Fair Trade. Buying Fair Trade helps to end abuses such as child and slave labor.
Buy products from sustainable sources like bamboo. Purchase products not tested on animals, made from renewable sources and packaged with recyclable and minimal packaging.
Electronic purchases: Consider buying "Pre-Owned" goods. Purchasing previously owned products is a great way to implement the sustainability concept of recycling. Ebay and Craig’s list are two good sources. Also ask your electronics store about recycling options for older models.
Get product information and updates via email and the internet instead of paper and direct mail.
Speak up! Manufacturers are listening! Use social media to connect with business to communicate your preferences and experiences. Consumers are the biggest drivers of sustainability changes.

Sustainable purchasing is important because it can help you make better choices. Those choices expand eco awareness within your network of friends and family, positively impact your local economy, reduce your footprint on the environment, and may actually help you save money in the process.