As the holiday season rolls around, you can’t help going for the ribbons, Ugg boots, and gift cards. But this year, make an effort to make better, more sustainable choices about your purchases. Simply, sustainability is having no impact. You can decrease your impact in gift giving by buying recycled or thrift, supporting local businesses, or using the least amount of packaging possible.
Buying from around your area reduces cost and pollution from transport, ensures freshness, and supports local entities. This method of being an educated consumer supports area businesses. Buying local keeps your money in a community rather than from going to a large corporation. This money will stay local and support other businesses and community organizations in the region.
Being a smart shopper is easier than it seems. There are many cooperatives and organizations that support local businesses and make sustainable commerce possible. There are also many rating systems for grading large corporations on philanthropic and environmental responsibility. For instance, Climate Counts has rated a number of large corporations on their environmental responsibility and impact. Even though Macy’s might have a shopping guide, shy away from it and go by a green shopping guide. Even if you don’t have a guide, remember to think local and sustainable first by going to thrift stores and independent sellers. Remember, your friends and family will appreciate a museum membership or a pail of honey much more than a JC Penney gift card.
Try these shopping guides:
Climate Counts:
http://www.climatecounts.org/scorecard.php
Treehugger
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/12/green_gift_guid_1.php
BCUE
http://www.shopbcue.org/
EPA
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/education/pdfs/shopping.pdf
Brooklyn Based
http://brooklynbased.net/everything/diy-gift-guide/
http://brooklynbased.net/everything/the-brooklyn-sampler/
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