Ecoshopping: Use your consumer vote

Every day, U.S. citizens make a host of purchasing decisions. What we buy - and do not buy - can have far reaching environmental consequences. Ecoshopping is a way of choosing products that emphasize reducing waste and pollution.

Average Americans throw their weight out in packaging every thirty to forty days, and one out of every ten dollars spent at the market pays for packaging. The waste created when we discard the unused portion of products or their packaging is one thing to consider. Also important, however, are the raw materials, toxic pollution, and waste involved in making and advertising products, as well as the fossil feuls used to ship them to market.

Casting your consumer vote through ecoshopping can make a real difference in achieving a "greener" marketplace. This is enhanced by phoning or writing to store managers and manufacturers to let them know what you buy- and don't buy- because of environmental concerns.

Reduction: Green consumers use less

The less you buy, the less trash and pollution you create, and the fewer resources you destroy. Carefully considering what you need - and do not need - is a great way to help the environment and save money.

There are many ways to avoid over-consuming:

• Make a list when you go to the store to prevent impulse purchases.
• Borrow books and magazines from the library. Toys are also available at some libraries.
• Share infrequently used items, such as carpet cleaners, camping equipment and certain tools.
• Repair broken items instead of replacing them with new items.
• Purchase high-quality, durable products instead of throw-away items.
• Look for reduced packaging on the things you buy, and encourage retailers to stock products that are not heavily packaged.
• Use solar powered calculators, radios, watches and other items to avoid having to buy batteries.

Re-use: It's not waste until it's wasted

Single-use, throw-away items are promoted as being "quick and convenient," but the waste and pollution they create have long-term negative environmental consequences.

Think carefully about the products you use, buy and discard and consider the following tips:

• Buy beverages (milk, pop,beer) in refillable containers.
• Use (and re-use) cloth napkins, rags, handkerchiefs, diapers,and tablecloths instead of disposable paper or plastics.
• Keep ceramic mugs and silverware on hand to use at work, in "take-out" restaurants and on picnics.
• Shop at vintage clothing stores and estate and garage sales to buy used clothing, toys, housewares and appliances.
• Re-sell or donate items you no longer need.
• Take old magazines or books to be read at your local laundromat, health club or doctors office.
• Buy in bulk, and re-use your containers. Natural food stores and an increasing number of grocery stores now offer many foods in bulk, as well as laundry and dish soap, coffee, and pet food. Also look for shampoo, conditioner and other personal care items in bulk.
• Compost yard waste and organic kitchen waste (if your city allows it) and turn trash into valuable fertilizer. For more composting information contact your local CBE office.

Recycling: Closing the loop is key

Recycling means taking a product and re-manufacturing it into something that can be use again. Recycling not only reduces garbage, it saves on raw materials and energy in manufacturing. While there is some pollution in the recycling process, it is not as extensive as the pollution and waste that come from creating a new product from virgin materials.

Many people in the U.S. have latched onto recycling as a "cure all" for our environmental woes. Recycling and buying recycled products make good environmental sense, but it is important to consider the following:

• A product is only recyclable if it is recyclable in your area. Obtain a list from your local recycling service or city hall to keep track of your options.
• Consider whether there is an end market for the recycled material. Most plastics, for example, are difficult to recycle and do not have fully developed markets. Because they are also made out of petroleum, a non-renewable resource, plastics are best avoided.
• Evaluate your options. Because something is recyclable, it is not necessarily the most environmentally friendly thing to buy. Drink boxes, for example, have only one layer out of three that can be recycled. It is preferable, therefore, to bring a thermos with juice made from concentrate to school or work because there is much less packaging involved overall - and it's cheaper.
• Look closely at labels for items made from recycled materials. Look for 100% recycled material with a high percentage of post-consumer waste.

Warning: Products can be hazardous to your health

Hazardous consumer goods pose threats to human and environmental health when they are manufactured, used and discarded. Oven and drain cleaners, for example, contain caustic chemicals that can cause serious burns. Polishes, paints and thinners contain solvents whose vapors can cause liver, kidney and nerve damage, birth defects and cancer. Insect and pest sprays are all poisonous. When these products are landfilled or incinerated, they contaminate our water and air.

To make sure you are not polluting the environment or endangering your family's health with household products:

• Avoid products with a skull and crossbones symbol, or the words "danger," "harmful," "caution" or "poison."
• Locate and use hazardous waste collection centers for items such as unused paint, waste oil and other chemicals. If there is no permanent collection site in your community, find out if there is a collection day for hazardous waste.
• Stores that sell automobile batteries are required to take them back and dispose of them properly. Make sure you take advantage of this service.
• Find non toxic alternatives to hazardous household products. Instead of mouse poison, for example, block holes, store food in air tight containers, borrow a cat or try live trapping. Instead of oven cleaner, scrub stains with baking soda.

Defining "green" terms

It is hare to walk down a grocery store aisle without seeing products claiming to be "recyclable," "biodegradable" or simply "environmentally friendly." Because the only federal laws overseeing use of environmental marketing claims are based on voluntary compliance, there are no guarantees that products are really as "green" as their claims indicate. Below are a listo of terms, and some things to consider as you evaluate potential purchases.

• Recyclable- Products may not be recyclable in communities where they are being sold, so bring a list of the items recyclable in your area when you go to the store. Plastics in particular are not widely recycled. You cannot rely on codes on plastic bottles. So make sure you are aware of what your local service recycles.
• Less Packaging - This claim only makes sense if there is an indication of what its packaging is "less than." If it has less than competitor's products, or than previously marketed versions of the same product, it is a good thing. However, that does not necessarily mean it is the best product to buy. The best way to judge packaging is to closely examine your options and compare them. Also, remember, buying in bulk, or using refillable containers is the best way to reduce packaging.
• Made from recycled materials - Look for a percentage listed, and the level of post consumer waste used. Post consumer waste comes from products that have served their purpose, as opposed to industrial by products or scraps. General "recycled" claims could mean only a very small percentage of recycled materials were used.
• Biodegradable - Almost everything will be biodegradable, eventually, under certain conditions but it may take hundreds or thousands of years. The more information listed for products claiming to be biodegradable - or degradable or photodegradable - the better. Only pick products that will degrade after a short period of time, after customary disposal.
• Environmentally Safe - If a product makes a very broad, general claim about the environment it could mean almost anything. A product may not contain chloroflourocarbons, for example, but may be made out of a petroleum product and therefore be harmful to the environment.

Look for detailed, concrete information on environmental claims, and be wary of general statements. Some states have laws on "green" labeling that are stricter than federal regulations. In Wisconsin, state law covers some of the terms listed above. Misleading use of these terms in Wisconsin should be reported to Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection at (608) 267-6851.

In other states, call your state Attorney General with labeling problems or questions. Consumers can also register complaints about marketing claims to: The National Advertising Division of the Council for Better Business Bureaus, 4200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 800, Arlington VA 22203.

Return to Top of Page

---

For More Information Contact CBE at:

152 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510- Milwuakee, Wi 53203

Phone (414) 271-7280 Fax (414) 271-5904

e-mail: cbewi@igc.apc.org