Eco Friendly Shopping: Buy Only What You Need
Spending has been encouraged for generations as a way to measure success and even to show affection. Being a good consumer is generally defined as being a buyer, pumping money into the economy. Your patronage generates a need for services and manufacturing, which creates jobs and benefits everyone.
Just remember there is a downside to consumerism, too. Many products are not manufactured with environmental responsibility in mind. As production goes up, so does its impact on the environment. This can be especially true if keeping costs low is the greatest factor in producing anything, from sweatshirts to picture frames.
You can make a difference. By choosing to eliminate some purchases, you can cut down on the amount of waste generated. It's been said that the world today is a throwaway society. But as the green movement progresses, this may change.
Quality x Quantity
When shopping, consider not just the quantity but the quality of what you buy. The cheapest product isn't always the best choice. Are you buying from conscientious companies? Were the products made from sustainable practices?
Every purchase is a vote, and you as a consumer wield more power than you may think. Being a good consumer means thinking about the impact of what you buy, both economically and environmentally.
