People usually link consuming more to creating more waste - but this does not have to be the case. Grocery shopping is one of the best ways to contribute to the betterment of the economy while reducing waste. When grocery shopping choose local produce. Shipping produce over great distances involves more physical waste in packaging while also putting waste in the air due to the fuel that is burned to get it here. Depending on where you live you may not be able to eat a nutritious diet of only local produce - just be aware of where produce is grown and do your best. You can eliminate the majority of your household waste by purchasing fresh foods. Be sure to use cloth bags when you go to the market and bring back the plastic produce bags so that you can reuse them. You can also reuse bread bags if you purchase your bread at small bakeries, which are a great thing to support.
Instead of going to big box grocery stores go to small fruit markets that are individually owned. Family run businesses truly suffer from hard economic times so be sure to purchase items from them when you can.
Going out to eat is a good way to put money back into the economy without obtaining tangible things. In some cases space is at a premium and some of us are stuffophobic. Try and choose restaurants that offer seasonal menus and try to choose some of these options. Look for restaurants with dishes made from scratch with local produce.
Instead of shopping at Supercenters break up your shopping and spread the wealth. Huge chains can afford the slump!
When you buy clothing and products for your home try and choose products made in Canada (or if you are American than in the US). Again, because the distance is less there is always less waste, but buying Canadian/US made products also reinforces the importance of manufacturing in country and helps to protect jobs. Spend a little more on items that you need and cut back on frivolous wants. This will balance out your finances while helping to resolve the current problem of our economies. Products made in country are usually more expensive because minimum wages are higher, but we need jobs in our countries and should not try and benefit from those making $2.25 a day to manufacture our products. We need to re-evaluate the value of goods. If things cost more they are often treated with more respect and are less likely to end up in landfills.
Instead of throwing out your shoes have them repaired at a private shoe repair shop.
Instead of putting your furniture on the curb and buying new find a local shop that can refinish or reupholster it.
It is time for the throw away mentality to come to an end.
Buy less stuff and consider improving the stuff you already have by utilizing local services.
If you have repairs that should be done reinvest in your home, or reinvest in your safety by having your car tuned up. Maintaining your vehicle will make your car last longer, run cleaner and pollute less. The longer we can prevent putting our cars in the scrap yard the better.
We need to learn to value honest work again. We should not be constantly buying new inferior products instead of refurbishing what we have. We, within our own countries, need to be able to do more than just push papers!
