This post is part of this months Green Moms Carnival -How to Be a Green Consumer- hosted by Betsy over at Eco-novice: Going Green Gradually. The carnival goes live Monday, November 14, 2011. Be sure to stop by for lots of great tips and suggestions for becoming a greener consumer.
Black Friday, which falls the day after Thanksgiving, is the kick off for the holiday shopping season. We all know at least one person who lives for the Black Friday madness. You know who I’m talking about (maybe it’s you?): they set their alarm for the wee hours of the morning, wake up ready to shop and spend, and are mentally prepared to wait in long lines-all in the name of finding a bargain. I’m NOT a morning person, so Black Friday really has never been on my radar, but I do love a good bargain. I’ve been told by many that bargains await those that are willing to rise before the sun comes up.
Before you set your alarm this year there are a few ways to make your holiday shopping a little greener and your impact on the earth a little lighter.
- Bring your reusable bags. If you are planning to shop till you drop bring along those reusable bags and avoid plastic. Plastic bags end up in our waterways and landfills, killing wildlife and failing to decompose. It’s not an easy task to remember those reusable bags. I have two tricks: keep them in a visible spot like the front seat of the car and keep a few reusable bags that fold up into a pouch inside your purse or backpack.
- Buy locally made products. Support the little local business rather than the big box stores. Go for gifts that don’t travel far to get under your tree. Try finding a unique gift at a local antique or thrift shop.
- Avoid excess packaging. Look for products that don’t have much or any packaging. There will be less to throw away and ultimately less ending up in a landfill. Think about buying products in bulk. Bulk products generally have less packaging materials which will cut down on excess waste.
- Make a list and check it twice. When you head out to the store make sure you are armed with a list. This will help avoid buying just for the sake of buying. Give some thought to what you are purchasing and try to avoid impulse purchases. Remember, everything you buy effects the environment. Being a green consumer means not buying things you don’t need.
Let’s make it a GREEN Black Friday this year! What are your plans for Black Friday and other holiday shopping?
[Photo used under Creative Commons from John Henderson/Flickr]
