Shopping Greener

Many businesses make their products in ways that aren't good for the environment. However, they depend on the money we choose to spend. By shopping for green products you are reducing your own impact on the earth, rewarding companies who do the right thing, and letting non-eco-friendly competitors know that you don't like the way they do business. Here's some ideas of what green products to look for...

Groceries

• Try organic food,grown without pesticides and herbicides which damage the soil and pollute our water. Several ranges are now available in supermarkets, including groceries as well as fruit & vegies. Anyone can put the word 'organic' on their products, so first check that the product is actually good for the environment by looking for a certification logo.
• Buy locally made or grown food. Local foods are fresher and keep local farmers in business, while avoiding the pollution caused by transporting products around the country or even the world. Visit the Australian Farmers Market Association or Australian Community Foods to find a place near you to buy direct from the grower, or check the country of origin labels on what you buy.
• Choose re-useable items in simple packaging. When choosing between two similar products, go for the one you can re-use or re-fill later, or the one that hasn't wasted resources on a wrapper you'll throw away as soon as you get home.

If you can't find products like these, let your supermarket know you'd like to try some. Write a letter, or speak to the manager, to let them know what you'd like to buy.

Big purchases

This is where your decisions make a big difference. When you're buying something you expect to last for many years, make sure it is as environmentally-friendly as possible.

• Use the Green Vehicle Guide to help you choose a fuel-efficient car next time you buy one. mecu and Bendigo Bank offer green loans to people who buy small, fuel-efficient or second-hand cars. If you can afford it, buy a hybrid or new diesel car — or at least take one for a test-drive to see what they're like!
• Choose energy-efficient appliances. You'll be using your new appliance for many years and the energy savings will really add up, so it makes sense to choose carefully and pick one with the highest star-rating. Many local and state governments offer rebates for these appliances too.
• If you buy or build a home, choose a location close to shops, schools, and public transport to reduce the amount of travel you need to do.
• Design your home to be energy-efficient and GreenSmart if you are building or renovating. This makes your home cheaper and more efficient to run in the long-term. You can read up on the subject, or choose a Green Star professional to help you.
• Switch to environmentally-friendly and ethical superannuation. You can make sure your money isn't being invested in industries that damage the environment.