We all love shiny new things. Who doesn’t? But sometimes it’s worth it to ask yourself a few questions before you shell out your hard-earned dollars. Can your old item be repaired? How often will you use the new thing? Can you borrow it? Can you rent it? Do you think you’ll still like it next year? Asking yourself this question is one of the nicest things you can do for the environment. And your wallet!
Here are other things you can do to save money and reduce waste when you’re shopping:
- Buy used. You’re saving something from going to landfill and you’re saving resources like wood or petroleum. The best part is that you’ll save money--or be able to afford better quality than you would otherwise!
- Get the most for your money and buy the best quality, longest-lasting item you can afford. Besides the environmental implications, who needs the aggravation of things falling apart? Look at warranties, reviews, and retailer or manufacturer support, and buy the option that will last the longest. (And avoid disposable things!)
- Is there a “green” option that suits your needs and budget? Choosing eco-friendly products can save you money in the long term. There’s a cost associated with disposing of hazardous products properly, and the cost of disposing them carelessly is even higher, in terms of a future cleanup and any associated health costs. Green options like non-toxic cleaners or organic underpadding for carpets don’t require any special handling as waste, and, more importantly, will help keep you and your family healthy now and in the future.
- Is the packaging wasteful? If you can reuse the packaging or buy the item without any packaging, you won’t have to deal with the waste. (No figuring out if it’s recyclable, no flattening boxes, a little less to carry to the curb or throw down the chute—easy). More packaging hints: 100% recycled is great, recyclable is good too, and buying bulk saves money and packaging.
Last, remember you have a lot of power as a consumer. You’re the one manufacturers want to please, so let manufacturers and retailers know if something wasn’t the quality you expected, and let them know that you prefer less packaging and waste.
