Green Consumer: In the Store

As a person and consumer you have the power to do something about climate change. Never forget or think otherwise. Sure you may wonder how much you’ll actually help by replacing your CFLs, recycling etc but in the end all small things path up to something bigger and more meaningful, especially when many join in.

This is part one of a series of posts explaining and giving advice on what you can do to combat climate change from your home, in the store, when you travel and on your spare time. All the things listed are easy to do, some things will take a little longer, but most of them will help save you money (besides all the positive effects on our earth).

In the Store

It’s all about quality
Don’t waste your money on products that has a low life-span. Spend your money wisely and buy products with a good quality that last longer, can be repaired and upgraded. Sure it may cost more in the short run but in the long run you will earn from it.

Buy organic and/or fair-trade
Today you can easily find organic and fair trade food that can replace your “ordinary” coffee, milk, meat, cheese etc. If your local stores don’t have anything, ask them why. Ask them every time you shop in the store. Don’t take a “no” for an answer. You are the consumer and they need you to run their business.

Support your local community
Buy products that have been produced in your city or nearby. That way the products haven’t been transported over long distances and you will support your local community. It’s a win-win situation.

Less meat
Buy less meat and try to replace it with vegetables that are grown after your local seasons. If you can’t stop your “meat love”, try to buy more chicken and pig meat instead of beef. The best option of them all is to become a vegetarian.

Refill it!
Avoid products that are wrapped in un-necessary packages. Choose refill products that are smaller and uses less packaging.

Say no to water
Say no to the extremely idiotic bottled water. It’s just stupidity to buy water on bottle instead of using water, with the same (and in some cases better) quality, from the marvellous invention called water tap.

Think
Think before you buy something. Ask yourself if you really need this new thing? And if the answer is yes ask yourself if you can’t find it in a second-hand store or on similar places?

Image credit: -clb-. Image licensed under a
Creative-Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works license.

Simon Leufstedt is the editor of Green Blog. Simon has previously studied Global Environmental Justice and is currently studying Human Ecology and Political Science at Lund University in Sweden. Simon is also blogging over at the Swedish 350 website and working with the Swedish TckTckTck organisation. You can follow Simon on Twitter and on Google+.
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