Fun Facts
Recycle products packaging
Properly recycle packaging materials to keep them out of the landfill. Many grocery stores recycle plastic bags and plastic packaging from paper towels, toilet paper, bread, newspaper, dry cleaning and produce. Find a drop-off location at PlasticFilmRecycling.org.
Choose eco-friendly products
Be a savvy consumer by checking labels and packaging for terms like “biodegradable,” “fair trade,” “organic” and “Made in the U.S.A.,” as well as earth-friendly materials like bamboo, hemp and recycled resources.
Buy in bulk
Buying a lot of something at once greatly reduces the amount of packaging needed for the product, and it can also save you time and money. For an even more eco-friendly shopping trip, bring your own reusable containers to fill.
Opt for reusable products
When you choose reusable items instead of single-use paper and plastic—like cups, bottles, utensils, straws, shopping bags and snack bags—you’ll keep countless items out of the landfill each year.
Join the sharing economy
Before buying new, first try to borrow or share with family, friends, neighbors or your community. You can also offer up your excess items to others. Join your local Buy Nothing group on Facebook to “give where you live.”
Shop used
Buying an item new signals demand for more of that item, meaning more chemicals, water, energy and gas will be used to produce and transport it. If you can shop at a thrift store, garage sale or consignment shop, you’ll make better use of things that already exist—and save money along the way.
