Sometimes the benefits of an Eco-friendly product are negated by the distance it travels to reach the consumer. When choosing products or services it's a good idea to see what your local businesses can offer. It's good for the environment and helps your community thrive.
Seek out local farmers or produce markets. Beyond the environmental benefit, the privilege of face time with local business owners translates into fresh foods and business accountability. To find local farmers markets visit: www.localharvest.org
Another great idea that is also simple:
BUY IN BULK! You're going grocery shopping anyway so why not fit more into the car? This means less trips overall. Buying larger containers of concentrated detergents goes further as does buying a large container of a food product and then dividing it up into smaller reusable storage containers.
Super size your wine... "The American Association of Wine Economists estimates global greenhouse gas emissions from wine production and distribution to be 5,336,600 tons- roughly the same amount that one million passenger vehicles would emit in a year." A great suggestion from The Green Guide, buy larger bottles of wine. "The bigger the bottle, the smaller the carbon impact per ounce."
Home Improvments:
There are innumerable Eco-friendly products on the market to help build or renovate your home but keep in mind how these products will come to you.
While it's great if you install floors with wood from a protected sustainable forest it's also important to recognize that the forest may be in China. By the time that wood arrives at your home it's been on trucks, trains, planes and many carbon emitting vehicles. The transportation could possibly negate the entire effort.
Look for local companies, look for a way to use reclaimed hardwood or just refinish the hardwood floors you already have. A change of stain or color may be all you need. The same goes for slate, tile and driveway gravel.
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