One very effective way to live a greener lifestyle is to make more eco-friendly purchase choices. Patronizing green businesses for many of your everyday needs is a way to support those companies that are using sustainable business practices and are doing what they can to offer consumers Earth-friendly products. Try making the transition to green companies for your next purchase.
Fair Trade Coffee and Tea
An easy eco-friendly step is to start buying only Fair Trade coffee and tea products. According to Fair Trade USA, when a pound of coffee beans, bar of chocolate, or any other Earth-friendly product is labeled as Fair Trade certified it means that the farmers who grew the crop were given a fair price, worked under fair labor conditions, made efforts to develop the community, and used sustainable growing practices.
While eco-friendly, socially-conscious coffee, tea, spices, sugar, rice, and chocolate may in some cases cost a small amount more, the minimal additional expense buys you the consumer, a positive contribution to the environment and to the individuals who grew the food. There are many green businesses such as coffee shops and health food stores who pay more to provide consumers with the more Earth-friendly option.
Sustainable Clothing from Green Companies
Green clothing companies offer more to the consumer than many people are aware of. The manner in which fabrics are conventionally produced is a serious environmental issue. From the chemicals and water used to grow cotton to the energy used to create synthetic fabrics and the water usage for the finishing process the clothes that you purchase may be a detriment to the environment. It is estimated that textile production uses 132 million metric tons of coal annually, according to the Textile World article, "Ecology and Economy in Textile Finishing."
As a result of heavy use and pollution of water, use of energy, and the excessive use of chemicals, the textile industry is known as the 'elephant in the room.' By switching to fabrics made from natural fibers and supporting the green businesses that have made a commitment to provide Earth-friendly products while sustaining the environment, you are allowing these green companies to exist and to thrive. The more that people are interested in organic cotton blankets, hemp jeans, and bamboo shirts, the more that the entire industry will shift towards the demand for green, sustainable textiles.
Earth-Friendly Products for the Office
What about the pens you write with, the paper you write on, and the folders, notebooks, and planners that you may use everyday at the office? Why not buy eco-friendly office supplies and reduce your negative impact on the environment a little more? From non-toxic inks to recycled pencils and paper consider making all of your workplace purchases from a green business. There are dozens of online outlets for Earth-friendly products, including Dolphin Blue, O'Bon, and The Ultimate Green Store. Major retailers such as Staples also offer green products.
Green Business Directories
From the coffee you drink in the morning to the blankets you curl up with at night you can have a positive impact on the environment. Through supporting the owners of green companies you are supporting their eco-friendly efforts and commitment. Also, as the demand for green, Earth-friendly products increases, businesses that were not necessarily using green practices before may start changing their ways to fit the needs of the consumer.
Coffee, clothing, and office supplies are only the beginning. You can search green business directories to look for all of your everyday needs. Resources such as The Awarenest and Green People provide listings for a range of green products from cosmetics to pet supplies. Go ahead, go green, and enjoy discovering some really great, eco-friendly products.
Brenna Coleman - Brenna is a freelance writer focusing on natural health and beauty. She has written hundreds of articles, helping readers find ways to ...
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