Ten Things You Should Never Buy Again

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Ten Things You Should Never Buy Again

 

1. Styrofoam cups

Styrofoam is forever. It's not biodegradable.

Alternative: Buy recyclable and compostable paper cups.

Best option: Invest in some reusable mugs that you can take with you.

 

 

2. Paper towels

Paper towels waste forest resources, landfill space, and your money.

Alternative: When you do buy paper towels, look for recycled, non-bleached

products. Search the National Green Pages™ for recycled paper products.

Best option: Buy dishtowels or rags to wash and reuse.

 

 

 

3. Bleached coffee filters

Dioxins, chemicals formed during the chlorine bleaching process, contaminate

groundwater and air and are linked to cancer in humans and animals.

Alternative: Look for unbleached paper filters.

Best Option: Use reusable filters such as washable cloth filters.

 

4. Overpackaged foods and other products

Excess packaging wastes resources and costs you much more. Around thirty three

percent of trash in the average American household comes from packaging.

Alternative: Buy products with minimal or reusable packaging.

Best Option: Buy in bulk and use your own containers when shopping.

 

5. Teak and mahogany

Every year, 27 million acres of tropical rainforest (an area the size of Ohio)

are destroyed. Rainforests cover 6% of Earth’s surface and are home to over half

of the world’s wild plant, animal, and insect species. The Amazon rainforest

produces 40 percent of the world’s oxygen.

Alternative: Look for Forest Stewardship Council certified wood.

Best Option: Reuse wood, and buy furniture and other products made from used or

salvaged wood.

 

Learn how to become WoodWise at home and in your office »

 

6.Chemical pesticides and herbicides

American households use 80 million pounds of pesticides each year. The EPA found

at least one pesticide in almost every water and fish sample from streams and in

more than one-half of shallow wells sampled in agricultural and urban areas.

These chemicals pose threats to animals and people, especially children.

Alternatives: Buy organic pest controllers such as diatomaceous earth.

Best Option: Plant native plants and practice integrated pest management. Plant

flowers and herbs that act as natural pesticides.

 

7. Conventional household cleaners

Household products can contain hazardous ingredients such as organic solvents

and petroleum-based chemicals that can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

into your indoor environment, positing a particular danger for children. The

average American household has three to ten of hazardous matter in the home.

Alternative: Look for nontoxic, vegetable-based, biodegradeable cleaners.

Best Option: Try making your own green cleaner using vinegar, water, and castile

soap.

 

Find safe, green cleaners in the National Green Pages™»

 

8. Higher octane gas than you need

Only one car in ten manufactured since 1982 requires high-octane gasoline.

High-octane gas releases more hazardous pollutants into the air, and may be bad

for your car.

Alternative: Buy the lowest-octane gas your car requires as listed in your

owner's manual

Best option: Make your next car purchase a hybrid. Or ditch the car and take

public transportation, ride a bike, or walk.

 

Learn more about green transportation »

 

9. Toys made with PVC plastic

70% of PVC is used in construction, but it is also found in everyday plastics,

including some children’s toys. Vinyl chloride, the chemical used to make PVC,

is a known human carcinogen. Also, additives, such as lead and cadmium, are

sometimes added to PVC to keep it from breaking down; these additives can be

particularly dangerous in children’s toys. PVC is also the least recycled

plastic.

Alternative: Avoid plastics that are labeled as “PVC” or “#3.” Look for #1 and

#2 plastics, which are easier to recycle and don’t produce as many toxins. Use

sustainable construction materials.

Best option: Take action to tell manufacturers to stop using PVC plastics,

especially in children’s toys.

 

Find safe toys in the National Green Pages™ »

 

10. Plastic forks and spoons

Disposable plastic utensils are not biodegradeable and not recyclable in most

areas.

Alternative: Use compostable food service items. Companies such as Biocorp make

cutlery from plant materials such as corn starch and cellulose.

Best option: Carry your own utensils and food containers.

 

Information updated from 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth, The

EarthWorks Group, The Green Consumer. John Elkington, Julia Hailes, and Joel

Makower.

 

 

 

" When the power of love becomes stronger than the love of power, we will have

peace. "

Jimi Hendrix