Goods

Wellbeing Benefits

Advertising, brand value, retail therapy, and social status are the tools of the modern marketer, who seeks to convince you that your wellbeing depends on the things you buy. Breaking this spell and choosing not to be manipulated will allow you to pursue esteem, self expression and the stronger kind of happiness that comes from within you. It will also hone your critical faculties.

Environmental Benefit

All goods have embedded energy and resources, have been transported, and at some stage will need to be recycled or disposed of. All of these phases of a product's life cycle consume scarce natural resources, and current practices are often simply not sustainable. To forge a culture within which companies improve the sustainability of their product offerings, we need to buy from the environmentally conscious and innovative companies, buy products that last a lifetime, buy local and buy less.

Decisions about the things we buy can move us toward, or away from, being sustainable. Thinking about things like the amount of resources used, how efficient the goods are and their lifecycle can help us make more environmentally friendly purchases. How can we reconfigure our retail filters to include our environmental responsibilities?

Use Non-Toxic Cleaners

Common cleaning products, disinfectants, and air fresheners are creating a toxic environment at home. Try the natural alternatives and provide your family with a healthy, chemical-free environment in which to live.

Buy Second-Hand Goods

By purchasing second-hand goods from an opportunity shop, you are supporting a charity, getting a bargain, and reducing the resources required to satisfy your consumption needs.

Avoid Products with Excessive Packaging

Give priority to purchasing unpackaged products and save the earth's precious resources.

Buy Paper and Wood Responsibly

Help make the harvesting of the world's forests environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable. Buy Forest Stewardship Council certified timber and wood products.

Purchase Recycled Goods

From toilet paper to chairs, jackets to dog leads, there are products made from recycled products that are great quality, so recycle when you buy.

Tune your Shopping Radar to the Environment

Become aware of the environmental implications of your consumption, and purchase those goods that have the least impact on our future.

Buy Fairtrade Food and Products

Buying products labelled 'Fairtrade' guarantees you are purchasing products which do not degrade the global environment and which encourage global justice and equity.
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