10 Shopping Tips
From Gillian Deacon, author of Green for Life
#1 Grocery Shopping Rule of Thumb
When grocery shopping, remember: first choice is local organic, second choice is local non-organic, third choice is imported organic, fourth choice is imported non-organic.
#2 Buy less meat
It takes seven times the amount of agricultural land and resources to produce a meat-based meal than it does the produce the equivalent nutritional value in a plant-based meal.
#3 Look for MSC Certified Seafood
When buying seafood, look for products that bear the symbol of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), which certifies sustainable fisheries that have good environmental performance and responsible practices.
#4 Buy Fair Trade Certified
Buying fair trade products really makes a big difference for farmers and traders in developing countries. They receive a fair price for their work, can build their business skills, and have healthier lives. Fair trade also allows farmers to practice environmentally sustainable farming.
#5 Shop less
Maybe we all have enough. The central tenet of environmentalism really is about consuming less. Less energy, less stuff.
#6 Shop locally made
Where there is a choice, opt for the item made closer to home. Before you shop, check the Internet for Canadian manufacturers of whatever you need to buy.
#7 Avoid excess packaging
Use your money to send a message. Choose products in refillable or reusable containers. And when you can, buy certain items in bulk – you won’t miss paying extra for packaging.
#8 Trip chain
Put some organization into your errands so that you take care of several tasks in one outing and choose the shortest route between stops. Not only will you save gas if you are driving, but you’ll probably save time as well.
#9 Shop online
There is an environmental case to be made for letting your mouse do your shopping. E-commerce warehouses use one-sixteenth the amount of energy to operate than the average retail store. And remember, Canadian made should be your first choice online as well.
#10 Your money, your power
You may feel like a helpless consumer with no power to change the will of the corporate giants, but don’t forget you are the reason they stay in business. So let your concerns be heard by sending an email or a letter to head office if something they do bothers you.
When grocery shopping, remember: first choice is local organic, second choice is local non-organic, third choice is imported organic, fourth choice is imported non-organic.
#2 Buy less meat
It takes seven times the amount of agricultural land and resources to produce a meat-based meal than it does the produce the equivalent nutritional value in a plant-based meal.
#3 Look for MSC Certified Seafood
When buying seafood, look for products that bear the symbol of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), which certifies sustainable fisheries that have good environmental performance and responsible practices.
#4 Buy Fair Trade Certified
Buying fair trade products really makes a big difference for farmers and traders in developing countries. They receive a fair price for their work, can build their business skills, and have healthier lives. Fair trade also allows farmers to practice environmentally sustainable farming.
#5 Shop less
Maybe we all have enough. The central tenet of environmentalism really is about consuming less. Less energy, less stuff.
#6 Shop locally made
Where there is a choice, opt for the item made closer to home. Before you shop, check the Internet for Canadian manufacturers of whatever you need to buy.
#7 Avoid excess packaging
Use your money to send a message. Choose products in refillable or reusable containers. And when you can, buy certain items in bulk – you won’t miss paying extra for packaging.
#8 Trip chain
Put some organization into your errands so that you take care of several tasks in one outing and choose the shortest route between stops. Not only will you save gas if you are driving, but you’ll probably save time as well.
#9 Shop online
There is an environmental case to be made for letting your mouse do your shopping. E-commerce warehouses use one-sixteenth the amount of energy to operate than the average retail store. And remember, Canadian made should be your first choice online as well.
#10 Your money, your power
You may feel like a helpless consumer with no power to change the will of the corporate giants, but don’t forget you are the reason they stay in business. So let your concerns be heard by sending an email or a letter to head office if something they do bothers you.
Gillian Deacon's book, Green for Life
Tips
