Gutter column (rightcol)...
Green Shopping
If you feel an item is overpackaged, talk with the store manager or complain to the manufacturer.
Consumers do have an important voice.
If a product has a 1-800 number - use it to contact the manufacturer and voice your concern.
How to be a "Green Shopper"
Here is something to think about:
- The average Canadian family throws out an estimated 1 tonne of packaging each year.
- Canadians take home more than 55 million plastic shopping bags each week.
This adds up to a lot of unnecessary garbage. Of course, we can all play a small role that will contribute significantly to the overall reduction of waste.
In order to change our poor garbage generation habits we can all become "Green Shoppers". A Green Shopper constantly practises the 3R's: reduce, reuse and recycle, when shopping for groceries, merchandise and services. Here are some tips to get you started:
Reduce is the first and most important R. Start by reducing the amount of packaging you take home. Avoid individually wrapped portions and disposable products. When possible, buy in bulk or purchase concentrated products such as juices and laundry soaps that come in smaller packages. Purchase well made products with a long life expectancy and reduce the need to replace items. You can repair appliances instead of buying new ones and rent or borrow those items you use infrequently.
Reuse is the second R. Look for goods that use packaging that has some reusable value, such as jars or dairy containers that can be used to store dry goods or store leftovers in the freezer. Instead of using new plastic or paper shopping bags each time you shop you can reuse old shoping bags or better yet, use cloth bags or even refuse a bag when purchasing only one or two items. You can also use reusable coffee filters and cloth rags instead of using paper filters and towels. Avoid disposable products and look for items with packaging that can be refilled such as shampoos, liquid soaps and bulk products.
Recycle is the third R. At the very least, you can make sure that you favour items that are packaged with materials that can be recycled in our Regional District and examine packaging to see that it is made out of recycled materials.