Sustainable living
Household energy efficiency |
Travel |
Shopping |
Water conservation |
Workshops and courses
Shopping
This page provides information about how to shop with the planet in mind.
Questions to ask
- Can I provide it myself? From your garden, by making it or adjusting something you already have.
- Can I obtain it from a friend or neighbour?
- Can it be obtained through other members of a formal bartering scheme? There are many schemes such as
'Green
Dollars' and 'Trade to Save'
- Can it be repaired rather than replaced?
- Could I hire instead of buying?
- Can I buy it second-hand?
-
Could I own it jointly with a friend?
- Am I only buying it because it is a bargain?
- Have you checked out Fair Trade alternatives?
Check out the packaging
- bring your own re-usable shopping bags
- select loose rather than individually wrapped products (which also tend
to be more expensive)
- favour items in recyclable packaging - glass jars, cans, cardboard,
plastics (grades 1 - 7)
- avoid (excessively packaged) takeaway foods - better for your health
too!
- buy refills of household cleaners.
Larger items
Vehicles
Balance out the car's fuel efficiency against safety and potential
maintenance/replacement issues
Household appliances
Consider energy efficiency ratings (stars), water efficiency and whether it is
repairable in New Zealand
Furniture timber
Was it responsibly produced? Look for the Forestry Stewardship Council mark
Carpets and other floor coverings
Adhesives and backing release chemicals
Paints
Look for water-based or low solvent brands
Avoid disposables
- Is doorstop delivery available in your area?
- seek alternatives to once-only-use items
- biodegradable plates rather than plastic
- washable cotton handkerchiefs, dinner napkins, face-flannels and nappies rather than disposable paper, cotton and plastic
varieties
- rechargeable batteries
- energy efficient light bulbs (CFL's)
The devil is in the detail
- buy certified organic, locally produced fruit and vegetables where you can't grow your own or barter with spray-free gardeners
- among non-organic food, avoid produce with high pesticide residue or those from genetically modified (GMO or GE) crops
- eat NZ fresh produce in season. Fresh food imports are treated with herbicides and fungicides to keep their fresh appearance
and to meet New Zealand's bio-security regulations
- wash thoroughly and peel fresh produce that may have been sprayed
- become a conscious consumer of meat and fish and replace some red meat with vegetarian options
- note what food labels tell you about preservatives, additives and colourings.
Check environmental claims
A small percentage of products
available in New Zealand carry an "Environmental Choice" label to show that they
make a reputable New Zealand or Australian environmental claim.
Published December 2008
