Because this blog is “Best Green Home Tips” I tend to discuss green home options – ideas for in and around the home-front. However, I’m betting you leave the house once in a while (hoping), so this week I thought we’d look a few issues that happen outside the home. A few issues that affect your family when you’re on the go include shopping options, transport, and on the go green gear. We’re not going to stray too far from home but these are important eco-issues so we should take a peek at least.
Today; how to be a better green consumer.
This is actually something we’ve looked at a little here. Check out the post Is This Product Really A Smart Green Choice?
When it comes to finding a green company, one that you actually want to buy from and support you want to look for the following traits:
- A local company over a distant company (whenever possible).
- A company who has some sort of eco goal or statement that’s backed up. Look for a company brochure or check out their website. Look for green minded goals that aren’t greenwashing. For example, a company who makes bleach, yet claims to be green because they recycle is pretty iffy – their goals and actions collide and not in a green way.
- A company who doesn’t test on animals.
- A company who uses minimal packaging for their products and when they do package they go with recycled content.
To learn about various companies you can visit some of the following sites:
- Climate Counts = rates companies and gives them scores based on the companies impact (or non-impact) on global warming. You can even print out a pocket scorecard to carry in your wallet.
- For beauty product safety visit Skin Deep.
- Visit Caring Consumer to learn about companies that do and do not test on animals.
- Co-op America has a basic green code that their listed companies follow. This is a great place to find merchants with your eco-ethics. They also have LOADS of green shopping guides available for free download.
How do you make greener shopping decisions?