Turn down the heat.
You can reduce the energy needed to heat your home up to 20% simply by turning the thermostat down 10°F - 15° when you are asleep or out of the house. The most effective and convenient way to save energy this way is to install a programmable thermostat. When used properly, programmable thermostats can save you about $150 per year.
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 Shopping
We’ve all heard the phrase “the customer is always right.” Well, it’s true! Companies spend billions of dollars every year to find out what you want and make sure they’re selling it. Use your power as a consumer and demand products that have minimal environmental impacts. For example, purchase products that are locally produced, minimally packaged or made with recycled materials. Find out who makes the products you buy, how they’re made and how they got on the shelf before you throw down your hard earned cash. It’s also important to consider your consumer habits and how much you buy in the first place.
Purchase locally produced goods and services. Local products come with less carbon dioxide pollution, more quality and a friendly face.
How do I do this?
Look for the buy local logo seen below for shops, stores and restaurants that are locally owned and operated and have committed to supporting local producers.
Purchase a Where the Locals Go! coupon book and save money while shopping in the community. You can also search for local businesses by name or keyword here.
Why should I do this?
Commercial transportation is a huge source of greenhouse gas emissions. A number of things we buy are shipped in from the other side of the planet while similar products are being produced just down the street. You can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support the local economy and connect the products you use to the people in your community by buying local.
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Avoid buying products with unnecessary packaging. For every $11 you spend on consumer products,
$1 is spent just on packaging(1).
How do I do this?
Make packaging one of the factors in your purchasing decisions. If you have the option, buy stuff without so much “stuff” holding it together. If you don’t have the option, talk to the store manager about alternative products or complain to the manufacturer about the extra plastic, cardboard and styrofoam.
Why should I do this?
The packaging industry is worth over $100 billion and growing rapidly. A lot of packaging is not necessary and is simply extra advertising and pizzazz. Over 25% of household trash is from the excessive packaging on the products we bring home. You could reduce the energy needed to create and dispose of all that packaging plus save yourself some time and money by shopping around for package-free products. On average, nine percent of the amount you spend on a given product is the cost of its packaging.
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Purchase second-hand goods or products made from recycled materials.
You’ll help reduce the carbon emissions that are created when brand new products are manufactured and
shipped.
How do I do this?
Shop around at thrift stores and consignment shops - you’ll be surprised what you find. Quality clothes, furniture, and household items can easily be found at second-hand shops as well as other vintage, classic or discontinued items. Thrift stores can be an excellent place to find a unique gift too. Browse the classifieds in the Bellingham Herald and The Echo or check out Craigslist and Freecycle online for individuals selling their used goods.
Look for recycled products while you’re shopping. Lots of things from paper to clothes and shoes are being made from recyclables. Get creative and find new uses for old objects. Where do you think the tire swing came from?
Why should I do this?
You can reduce the carbon dioxide emitted from manufacturing and transporting new products by purchasing used goods. Supporting second-hand shops also keeps useful products from ending up in the landfill. Plus most thrift stores are locally owned and many of them are non-profits that support important community projects. Buying used is also a great way to save money and pick up hard-to-find or unique products.
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Around 1 million plastic bags are consumed every minute! Bring your own re-usable bag when you shop and instantly cut your involvement to zero.
How do I do this?
Bring some type of re-useable bag with you when you shop and kick the need for disposable paper and plastic bags. Make sure the bag you bring is sturdy enough to last and big enough for your shopping trip. Your bag could range from a canvas bag specifically designed for groceries to a backpack so you can ride your bike home. If you’re wondering how you’re going to line your trash cans or pick up after the dog, get some biodegradable bags. They can generally be found at your local grocer or food co-op.
Why should I do this?
Somewhere between 500 billion and a trillion plastic bags are used (often just once) and trashed every year.
Plastic bags have become a huge problem in their short lifespan. That’s right; a little over 40
years ago they barely even existed! Today 4 out of every 5 bags handed out in grocery stores are plastic
bags adding up to hundreds of billions of bags being used every year(1). Not only is this a waste problem as our landfills are reaching
capacity but millions of those bags never make into the trash. Most of these eventually end up in lakes or oceans and
take hundreds of years to decompose. It is estimated that about 100,000 marine animals including whales, seals
and turtles are killed by plastic bags each year(2). Giant whirlpools of floating trash, mostly plastic bags,
have been found swirling in our oceans.
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Put your money where your mouth is and support companies that share your values of preserving the environment.
How do I do this?
Support forward-thinking companies that promote and use responsible environmental practices.
Do some research or talk to the staff of local companies and find out what they are doing for the environment. If you see room for improvement at your favorite business, share your ideas about sustainable practices. Check out Sustainable Connections’ Sustainable Business Development program to find out about sustainable business practices. You may also want to use their Business Search Engine to find local businesses that are doing their part. You can also learn more from the Center for a New American Dream, Co-op America’s Responsible Shopper or better world shopper web sites.
Why should I do this?
Companies respond to what their customers want. If we refuse to buy products from companies that are damaging the environment businesses will be forced to change their ways or go out of business.
Collectively, we wield an exceptional amount of power as consumers. Keep in mind that businesses are using your hard earned money to carry out their practices. Make sure they are using your money for something you support.
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Think about what you need versus what you want when shopping. Even the most environmentally friendly products require energy and natural resources to produce.
How do I do this?
It’s simple - consider your consumer habits and buy less! Although Americans had fewer material goods, the number of Americans who say they are very happy peaked back in 1957. We have lots more stuff these days and this stuff is supposed to make our lives easier, more efficient and more entertaining. But is it actually making our lives better? What are most Americans really trying to accomplish by acquiring so much stuff? How do your consumer habits impact the planet? Ask yourself these questions.
Of course we do need certain things like clothes, shoes and food. When you go shopping, bring a list and stick to it. Avoid going into stores unless you have something specific you need or really want to purchase. Use what you do buy efficiently and to its fullest potential. Try picking one day a month where you don’t buy anything and gradually move up to one day a week.
Why should I do this?
By the year 2050 the human population could reach over 9 billion and all of those people will need resources to live. Everything you purchase, even the most organic of organic, is produced using processes that use up energy and resources and generate greenhouse gases. Even if all products offered were suddenly organic, non-toxic and more eco-friendly we still could not support the entire world living with our “American” consumption level. If the entire developing world were to suddenly catch up and live the way we do, it would be like increasing the world’s population to 72 billion people(1)!
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Request that local retailers carry more green products and conduct business in an environmentally conscious way.
How do I do this?
Green products are consumer goods that are manufactured to minimize their impact on the planet. This can include using alternative energy in production, using all-natural non-toxic chemical alternatives, minimizing packaging, donating a portion of profits and a lot more. You can get more information about green products at The Green Guide. If you can’t find green alternatives for certain products let whoever’s in charge know. Ask them why they don’t carry green products and let them know you want more. Talk to your friends, neighbors, co-workers, strangers….whoever! Encourage them to voice their requests as well.
Find out what local businesses do to support the environment and reduce their impact and then speak up if you think they can do more. Check out Sustainable Connections’ Sustainable Business Development program to find out more about what businesses can do to reduce waste and work toward sustainability.
Why should I do this?
Any concerned retailer will listen to their customers. You may not see changes right away but it usually takes a lot less lobbying than people think to get different products in the store. They know that if you asked about a product you want to buy it. If they can stock something they know you’ll buy, chances are they will.
Same goes for sustainable practices. They know that if you’re asking them to recycle, buy Green Power and use Food Plus that you’ll be a loyal patron if they comply.
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Give experiences instead of stuff for holiday, birthday and other special occasion gifts. It might be a welcome change for friends and family and is friendlier to the environment.
How do I do this?
Think about local entertainment and services that the recipient would enjoy. You could choose tickets or gift certificates for local concerts, theatre, museums, sports, movies, restaurants, massages or give them a membership to a local non-profit organization.
Why should I do this?
Experiences are often very memorable. Stuff doesn’t always make such an impression. A nationwide survey showed 27 percent of those questioned couldn't remember what they had received for Christmas the previous year, and an additional 15 percent needed time to recall(1). Being an “experience giver” will help you reduce waste and support local businesses and services.
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