Things that You Should Buy Green

 Since I got a big response on products you shouldn't buy, I thought I would compile a list of things that you should buy . . . on the green side that is.

Paper  - As in printing paper or notebooks, not paper towels and paper plates. What ever paper products you do buy, make sure they have a high post-consumer recycled content. It takes 60% less energy to manufacture paper from recycled stock than from virgin materials. Also, use cloth alternatives when possible, such
as cloth napkins and dish towels.

Light Bulbs - Incandescent bulbs and conventional use more energy, and money in the long run, and they release more CO2 than energy-efficient alternatives. Use compact fluorescent bulbs that last much longer and produce half as much CO2. (Read about CFLs here: http://greenopolis.com/myopolis/blogs/recyclemania/cfls-good-and-bad )

Paint - Most paint contains VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which evaporate into the air, creating health hazards for people instead try buying low or no VOC paints. Labels such as Duron paints, Sherwin Williams, Devoe Paint, and Benjamin Moore carry such paints.

Batteries - Most of the 2 million batteries used by Americans each year end up in landfill potentially releasing dangerous toxins, cadmium and mercury in particular, and need to be treated as hazardous waste. Instead properly recycle batteries and try buying and using rechargeable ones. (Read about rechargeable batteries here: http://greenopolis.com/myopolis/blogs/v-west88/are-rechargeable-batterie...)

Shower Heads - Traditional shower heads and faucets provide much more water than is needed. An average household uses about 260
gallons of water per day. By spending about $30 and installing low flow shower heads, you can save about 45 gallons of water each day.

Energy - Global warming is happening faster than ever in history. The burning ans use of fossil fuels for energy is one of the leading causes. If we want to stop this we have to reduce the use of fossil fuels for energy and increase alternative methods. See if your electricity provider offers green energy, and sign up for it. Also, look into home solar units
if you can afford them. Some states even have incentive programs for
people looking to install solar panels on their homes.

Appliances  - The average household uses many appliances and they remain plugged in 24/7 resulting in a waste of energy. Unplug appliances that you are not using and try buying Energy Star label appliances. They are approved by the EPA and Department
of Energy and can save 10-50% of energy compared to normal appliances. Make sure to include efficient use of heating and cooling systems. (read more about Energy Star appliances here: http://www.energystar.gov)

Transportation - With gas prices high and the economy low, everyone is looking for better ways to get around and to save money. If 1 in 10 Americans
used public transportation regularly, US reliance on foreign oil would
be cut by more than 40% (the amount imported from Saudi Arabia every
year). Make an effort to use public transportation if it is available, even once a week would make a big difference. If no transportation is available try arranging a carpool with friends and co-workers. Also, if you are in the car buying market, look into more fuel efficient and hybrid cars. Use your car as little as possible, and ride a bike or walk
whenever possible. (Look here for information on buying fuel efficient cars: http://greenopolis.com/myopolis/blogs/i3aseba11/how-buy-a-fuel-efficient...)

Coffee - Coffee is one of the most heavily traded commodities in the world. Many farmers in foreign countries depend on their coffee bean crops for a living. However,  most farmers, receive less than
1% of the price of a cup of conventional coffee. To combat this try buying Fair trade Certifies organic coffee.  Fair Trade certification guarantees a stable price for
coffee ($1.26/lb. compared to around $0.14/lb. on the conventional
market), and supports democratically run farming cooperatives. Nearly
85% of Fair Trade coffee in the US is also organic. (Go here for more information: http://www.transfairusa.org/)

And if you really want to be green . . . 

Diapers - What goes into diapers? . . .About 80,000 pounds of plastic and over 200,000 trees a year. Disposable diapers are bad enough, but the contaminants inside them can leech into ground water sources. If you can bare to do so, try cloth diapers (look for non-bleached organic cotton). Sure, you will use more water in washing them, but at least the contaminants will end up in the sewer and eventually go through a filtration system. In addition, I am sure the cost of washing them is less than buying disposable ones.

If you think any other items should be bought green, let me know and I will add them to the list.

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