Environmental Shopping

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Buy Recycled!
It makes sense that if we recycle, we should buy recycled products. If we don't have healthy
markets for materials made from recycled products, all of our recycling effort goes in vain. That means that we should "Buy Recycled" whenever possible and encourage manufacturers to make products and packages from recycled materials. We need to keep the cycle in order to maintain our efforts. Here are a few ways that you can help out when shopping:

  • Look for labels that indicate post-consumer recycled content. That means that the product is made from materials that responsible recyclers like yourself have donated to the industry. Buy those products that were saved from a landfill.
  • If your favorite product is not made from recycled materials, write or call the manufacturers to tell them to package or make their products from recycled and recyclable materials. Hearing from John and Jane Q. Public will make a difference.
  • Encourage others at home, at school, or at work to do the same and Buy Recycled!

Shop Non-Toxic!
Try to avoid buying household chemicals and cleaners that are toxic. Instead of buying potentially harmful chemical cleaners, look for more eco-friendly alternatives that contain ingredients like orange oil. Most of these environmentally friendly alternatives work as good or better than traditional toxic alternatives.

Watch for these products that contain harmful chemicals:
  • Cleaners
  • Pesticides
  • Weed Killers
  • Paints
  • Automotive Fluids

Buy in Bulk & Larger Sizes!
Sometimes a small package makes sense. But they are more often a convenience rather than a necessity. Buying in bulk not only saves waste from going to the landfill, but often saves money! Bulk stores thrive on shoppers who buy in larger quantities. Larger packages are often more recyclable than smaller packages as well. Individual serving juice boxes are not recyclable anywhere in Cambria County, but larger plastic juice jugs labeled #2 HDPE are accepted at all recycling sites!
Consider Durability!
When purchasing items for your home, consider products that are better quality and will last a
long time. We all like to save a buck here and there, but certain items that we buy may break after a shorter time than similar items of better quality. Items for yard work, tools, cleaning, and many others come in a variety of different makes and models. Consider buying a better than average item for durability. Where a cheaper tool saves money today, it may break down the road causing you to buy another. Saving today may not be saving tomorrow.

Also consider buying previously owned items if you are able to confirm their reliability and long-term durability. Buying used items at discounted prices will save you money, but only if the item has the durability to last for some time to come.

This page last modified 2-22-06.