Stop a minute and spend a bit of time thinking about how your shopping effects the environment! There is an incredible amount of environmental waste in the consumer market from simple excessive packaging right up to environmental pollutants. To help reduce the impact we have on the environment try to stick to some of the following tips: - Think about it! Ask yourself: "Do I really need anew toaster/kettle/cooker/radio, or can I get my old one fixed? Do I really need the latest video recorder, when my old one is still working?
- I'm upgrading my computer, could my local school/community group use my old one?
- Is there a charity shop which might be able to use last year's summer outfits?"
- If you need a new refrigerator, cooker or other electrical item, choosing the most energy efficient products could save you money. Watch out for the energy labels on products, such as fridges and washing machines: 'A' or 'B' = most efficient, use less energy and, possibly, less water. 'F' or 'G' = cost more to run, use more electricity and are not so kind to the environment.
- If you are buying a brand new car, remember - the less it pollutes, the less you pay in road tax.
- If you are grocery-shopping, buy refill packs and containers when-ever possible Use cloth napkins and tea-towels instead of paper
- Choose reusable razors, dishes and cups and metal cutlery instead of disposables
- Buy food and other products wrapped in the least amount of packaging possible
- Make Fair Trade products part of your usual shopping basket. Look for the Fair Trade Mark on the.pack. If your supermarket or whole food shop doesn't stock what you want, ask them to!
- Get your favourite café, restaurant or works canteen to switch to Fair Trade coffee and tea
- Re-use supermarket carrier bags, rather than picking up new ones every visit, or buy 'bags for life' which are now offered by most stores
- Re-use packaging for storage -boxes, jam jars, bottles, etc.
- Ask your retailer to point out products made from recycled material such as plastic bottles(e.g. shampoos and soft drinks),kitchen rolls, tissues, toilet paper, writing paper and envelopes
- If you don't understand the environmental claims on products, just ask your retailer - they should be able to explain.Avoid buying products containing ozone-depleting substances
- Use rechargeable batteries when-ever possible - they can last 15 times longer than 'ordinary' batteries
- Buy concentrated, multi-purpose products (like soap powder with non-chlorine bleach)Buy in bulk, to save on packaging and return trips to the shop.
- A solar calculator, refillable pen or pencil all last longer.
- Buying reusable school supplies means less waste Buying plastic juice and sandwich containers, a thermos and insulated lunch bag means spending less money each week on disposable or paper bags - and reduces waste.
- Shop at second-hand stores, household auctions and garage sales; use the classifieds to find what you need instead of buying brand new items Fight the urge to buy the" newest," "latest," "best" version of something you already have and don't really need If you can borrow it from some-one else, don't buy it! Get shoes and clothes mended, if you can. New soles or a stitched up seam saves you money and reduces waste. Give your unwanted articles of clothing, furniture, and books to appropriate agencies - they maybe useful to someone else. Send clothes to a local charity instead of binning them. Try swapping school blazers or other uniform items with family, friends or neighbours
 V.SENTHIL KUMAR
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