Carbon Down

In today's developed marketplace, we as consumers and businesses have a plethora of product choices. Even though this means more options, it can sometimes also mean that choosing the right product is harder.

Next time you're at the crossroads of product choice, consider this green purchasing guide, it could make your decision easier and your greener choice will contribute to a healthier planet.

Consider this: your business needs to order more coffee, you're not totally satisfied with what you've got, so you shop around a little. You find ten coffee suppliers in your area and two of these seem like likely choices. They're both evenly priced and good quality. Which will you choose?

Typically green products are a little more expensive, and that's because they are typically in less demand than their counterparts. But increasingly, the scales are tipping the other way and green products are becoming a preferred choice.

Just remember, every time you choose to buy a green product, you are helping to lower the overall cost.

The three R's - recycled, re‐used, reduced

Any products that have been through any of the following sustainability processes; recycled, re‐used, or reduced are sure to be environmentally friendly options.

Recycled products have been through a full life‐cycle and could be in their second or third life‐cycle. Recycled products are a more environmentally friendly option because less carbon emissions are being used to produce an entirely new product, and it means products
at the end of their life‐cycle do not end up in landfill.

Re‐used products are products that are used for another purpose once it has fulfilled its initial purpose.

Reduced goods are products with little or no packaging like concentrates or refills. They also include items that can be repaired or reused.

Responsible sources

Products sourced from responsible and sustainably managed sources are a more environmentally friendly product option. Take paper and wood products as an example; anything from printing paper, to wood furniture, to fencing or toys. For these products there is a certification that means the wood has been sourced from responsibly managed forests. FSC certification provides a credible link between responsible production and consumption of forest products.

Local vs. overseas products

Locally sourced products may have a lower carbon impact than products sourced from overseas. This is largely due to the amount of carbon emitted during transportation; either by air or sea. Purchasing locally sourced products also supports local industry and encourages local economic growth.

Transport

This information is not always publically available, but you can ask for it. The way that companies transport their goods impacts upon the environment. If you can choose a product that is transported by environmentally friendly options, it will generally have a lower carbon impact on the environment.

These are just a handful of greener options to look out for when choosing products. Let's go back to the coffee example mentioned in the beginning. Knowing what you know now, which would you choose if you were to make a more environmentally friendly choice?
Today's article looked at greener product choices in relation to production, product sourcing, origin, and transportation. Look out for next week's ‘Guide to purchasing green products - part 2'.

To find a list of sustainable products visit, www.ecobuy.org.au

Or, for tips to help implement sustainable transport into your own business, check out What can I do right now's Green Transport Guide, visit www.whatcanidorightnow.com.au