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Simple tips to launch a year-long celebration of protecting the Earth By making small changes in shopping habits, you can make trips to the grocery store more environmentally friendly, ultimately protecting the health of the planet for future generations. We're offering tips on how to shop green every day of the year including: reusing and recycling more, buying organic, cleaning with environmentally-friendly products buying in bulk and more. Reuse and Recycle Shopping Bags One way to significantly reduce the amount of waste in the environment, is to reuse and recycle shopping bags. Each year, U.S. consumers throw away approximately 100 billion plastic shopping bags, which can take up to 1,000 years to decompose, and litter the planet and threaten wildlife. A quick solution is to not only reuse shopping bags, but to switch to reusable, sturdy canvas bags. In New York City alone, one less grocery bag per person per year would reduce waste by five million pounds and save $250,000 in disposal costs, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Reuse your shopping bags – plastic, paper or canvas. Choose Organic Choosing organic products is another easy way for you to decrease negative impact on the environment. Organic agriculture protects people and the planet by reducing exposure to harmful chemicals from synthetic pesticides that can contaminate the ground, air and water, as well as our food. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year an estimated 60 million pounds of organophosphate pesticides are applied to about 60 million acres of agricultural crops in the U.S. Organophosphate pesticides are harmful and not allowed in organic agriculture. When buying certified organic products, consumers are showing support for organic farmers and sustainable practices that help build healthy soil and a healthier planet. Reduce Packaging Look for products that have reduced packaging or no packaging, such as foods from the bulk foods aisles. Buying foods like lentils, beans, grains, nuts and granola in bulk equates to reduced costs for packaging and the environment. At Henry's, the extensive bulk department makes buying in bulk an affordable and eco-friendly option. Buy Local Buying local products is another way to shop green and support the local economy. The average meal travels more than 1,500 miles from farm to plate. Choosing local products reduces transportation costs and the reliance on fossil fuels. Every Henry's store sources hundreds of foods and artisan products from local growers and producers. Green Cleaning Americans generate 1.6 million tons of waste each year from common household products that contain potentially hazardous ingredients. And, of the 85,000 chemicals used in household cleaners today, nearly 90% haven’t been tested for safety. Every time a cleaning product is used, it is absorbed into the skin, breathed into the lungs and released into the environment. By switching to green, environmentally-friendly cleaners, you make healthier choices for your home and the planet. Look for non-toxic cleaning products made with biodegradable ingredients and without the use of hazardous chemicals. Treat your body to green products Choose natural and organic body care products, made with pure ingredients and without the use of harsh chemicals, sodium lauryl sulfates and parabens. By using natural and organic lotions, soaps, shampoos and cosmetics, you’re making a healthier choice for yourself while reducing water pollution by not rinsing off potentially harmful chemicals from your body. Making simple shopping choices like walking or biking to the grocery store, choosing organics, switching to green cleaners and reusing and recycling can make a huge difference in the health of our planet. |
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