We live in a very consumerist society and we need to reduce the amount we consume. However sometimes we need to buy things! Luis from Live Paths made a comment on a recent post here about the need to support companies that make products from recycled materials and other environmentally responsible companies. His blog offers a good guide to finding such companies and invites recommendations from readers. Here are just a few ideas for green consumerism, taken from my own shopping:
Buy locally produced, organic produce where possible - The Cyrenians organic farm is just outside Edinburgh and produces a good range of vegetables, fruits, preserves and eggs. They sell their produce in our office building and at Edinburgh Farmers Market, which happens every Saturday at Castle Terrace and sells meat and cheese as well as vegetables and other produce.
Buy toiletries made from natural ingredients. Yaoh is a company in the UK that produces organic, vegan bodycare products made from hemp with no more than one or two artificial additives and none of the dangerous ones.
Buy gifts made by local crafts people or make them yourself! I love to buy crafts from the craft fairs that spring up in Edinburgh during the Festival and at Christmas.
Buy second hand, Edinburgh is full of charity shops, selling second hand items to raise money for charities. These include specialist second hand shops for books and music.
These are just a few ideas, feel free to share your ideas in the comments!
Great ideas in this post. I love the big R's - Reduce, Recycle and Reuse which most people have heard. Recently I've seen Refuse, meaning say no to all that wasted packaging and extra bags they try to get you to take. Also a new one for me is Recraft! This is something near and dear to my heart. I love to teach and share ideas through my website about recycled crafts.
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