• Welcome
  • Community
  • Blogs
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Join
  • Log in
Follow MNN    
MNN - Mother Nature Network - Envrionmental News
improve your world

 

Friday, May 25, 2012
  • Earth Matters

    Browse All » Animals Weather Energy Politics Space Translating Uncle Sam Wilderness & Resources

  • Health

    Browse All » Allergies Fitness & Well-Being Healthy Spaces

  • Lifestyle

    Browse All » Arts & Culture Travel Natural Beauty & Fashion Recycling Responsible Living

  • GREEN TECH

    Browse All » Computers Gadgets & Electronics Research & Innovations Transportation

  • Eco-Biz & Money

    Browse All » Green Workplace Personal Finance Sustainable Business Practices

  • Food & Drink

    Browse All » Beverages Healthy Eating Recipes

  • Your Home

    Browse All » At Home Organic Farming & Gardening Remodeling & Design

  • family

    Browse All » Babies & Pregnancy Family Activities Pets Protection & Safety

Tweet
Pin It
Email Bookmark and ShareShare
WorldShares lets you earn donations for your favorite nonprofit. Earn up to 20 points now.
Learn More

Earn Points
What's this?
MNN.COM›

MNN BLOGGERS

Jenn Savedge

Green shopping for teens

Teaching teens to use their purchasing power to save the planet.

Fri, Nov 27 2009 at 12:33 PM EST

Photo by Wolves
Did you know that kids influence the spending of $300 billion a year, or about 1 in 3 consumer dollars spent? That's why corporations target you to buy their products. And you may not realize it, but almost everything you buy can affect the environment. Fortunately, there is now a green option for just about any item on your shopping list. Using your green to buy green protects the planet, promotes fair treatment for workers, and sends a powerful message to businesses about the importance of environment. But the key is to know how to spot the eco-gems from the phonies. Here’s what you need to know to shop green:
 
  1. The 24-hour rule: Keep the planet in mind when you are shopping and ask yourself if you really need each purchase. Can you get by without it? Is it possible to rent, borrow, or swap with a friend instead? If you really want it, try the 24-hour rule. Give yourself one day to think it over and if you still want it…go back and get it.
  2. Learn your labels: Green labels are splashed on almost every product in the store. But beware…some of those labels may be just a meaningless attempt to get you to spend your money. Don’t be fooled.  Learn which labels mean something green and which ones are just greenwhasing.  
  3. Buy in bulk: Save money and the planet by purchasing items in bulk whenever possible. Buying in bulk is cheaper than purchasing several smaller items and it will minimize the amount of packaging that you need to toss.
  4. B.Y.O.B.: (Bring Your Own Bag) Plastic shopping bags are lame! They use a ton of petroleum based resources (contributing to global warming) and create a ridiculous amount of litter and waste. Pick up a snazzy, compact, reusable tote bag and carry it with you to hold your purchases.
  5. Buy recycled: Look for stuff that contains recycled content (to save on new materials.) There are lots of eco-friendly products now, from pencils to notebooks, jackets to sneakers, and even dog beds that contain recycled material. Purchasing these products reduces the consumption of new materials, reduces landfill waste, and supports the market for recycling.
Previous Post
Green tips for Black Friday shopping
   Next Post
Celebrating green holidays
You might also like:
Related Topics: Green Kids

Comments

Follow this conversation
Add your comment
View:
  • All (0)

Add your comment

Sign in with one of these accounts or just add your comment below.
    Log in or
    create an account
     
    •  
Used only for emailed comments and will not be displayed with your post
Notify me with an email when other people comment on this article.
The posting of advertisement, profanity or personal attacks is prohibited.
Click here to review our Terms of Use

EDITORS' PICKS

tease to asteroids

tease to pet facials

tease to emotional eating

ADVERTISEMENT

NEWSLETTER

Mother Nature. Delivered

CONNECT WITH MNN

Follow @twitterapi
 Tumblr
 Google +

About Jenn Savedge

Green parenting author on raising eco-friendly kids.

RSS feedMore about Jenn

Recent Posts

  • Watch: Tavi Gevinson is a teen just trying to figure it all out
  • Teen invents more accurate test for pancreatic cancer
  • New clue to epilepsy 'miracle diet' may help doctors improve treatment
+ Add this to my site
From our sponsor

Help save a rider: Spread the message of motorcycle safety

Allstate's ONE campaign aims to reduce motorcycle accident rates with the... more >

Allstate Life Tracks: Financial advice for all life stages

Try this new interactive app from Allstate which offers help understanding... more >

Act Out Loud contest drives teens to promote safe driving

The program developed by Allstate and NOYS to raise awareness about stronger teen... more >

Easy tips to drive car thieves away

A car is stolen in the U.S. every 33 seconds. Learn how to make sure your car is... more >

Help protect teen lives and create safer roads for all

Ask Congress to pass national Graduated Driver Licensing provisions from the... more >
Good Hands® Working Together can change the world

Jenn's BLOGROLL

Big Green PurseOrganic Mania
Crunchy ChickenGreen & Clean Mom
Not Quite Crunchy ParentThe Smart Mama
My Plastic Free LifeGreen Phone Booth
Foodie TotsFoodie Tots

ADVERTISEMENT



Quick Links

  • About Us
  • Advisory Board
  • Editors' Blog
  • Press
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Service
  • WorldShares

MNN Tools

  • Advice
  • Blogs
  • Day in History
  • Eco-glossary
  • Infographics
  • Lists
  • Photos
  • Videos

Connect

  • Community
  • Contact Us
  • Contests
  • Idea Lab
  • Mixed Greens
  • Newsletters
  • Polls
  • RSS

Channels

  • Earth Matters
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Green Tech
  • Eco-Biz & Money
  • Your Home
  • Family
  • State Reports

Follow MNN

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Google+
  • StumbleUpon
 

Copyright © 2012 MNN Holdings, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Website by GLICK INTERACTIVE | Powered by CIRRACORE
 
SPONSORS