Green Your Shopping

Our consumption habits and levels have a direct effect on carbon emissions. The more we buy, the more that needs to be produced, packaged and transported, all of which produce carbon emissions. You can help lower your consumption footprint by adopting some of the habits listed below.

Reduce, re-use, recycle. Jump into the circular economy by choosing used instead of new — you’ll save money while helping keep waste out of landfills. Brookline and the greater Boston area are rife with great sources for gently used items. There’s United Parish’s Thrifty Threads in Coolidge Corner for clothing and a Goodwill store at 965 Comm Ave in Boston. Or connect directly with individuals through Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, FreeCycle, eBay or Etsy.

Avoid single-use drinks. Drink Brookline’s tap water and say goodbye to plastic water bottles. Buy a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated while you’re on the road. Bring your own mug to your favorite coffee shop.

Avoid plastic packaging. Plastic is a byproduct of the petroleum industry and its production not only contributes to climate change, but plastic pollution is poisoning the earth. So next time you’re shopping, consider products with less plastic packaging.

Skip the paper towels. Deforestation contributes to climate change, and even if you buy paper towels from recycled paper, those single-use towels are still diverting paper that could otherwise be used for a longer-lasting purpose. So next time you need to wipe up a spill or polish something, reach for a reusable sponge or cloth. (And while you’re at it, make sure that sponge or cloth is made from natural materials and not plastic.)

Read ingredient labels. Did you know that many common household products like hair care, cosmetics and laundry detergents can contain ingredients derived from petroleum? An easy way to avoid them is to choose products that say “100% organic” or “biodegradable” on the label, but since that’s not always an option, inform yourself and read the ingredient list before you buy.

Go paperless. Are you still getting paper bills or bank statements? Sign up for paperless on your provider’s website. Is your mailbox deluged with paper catalogs or junk mail? There are services to help you stop unwanted catalogs and mail.