A Guide to Responsible Purchasing
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Are you a Conscious Consumer?
A conscious consumer is thoughtful at the point of purchase and at the point of throwing out, with the goal of protecting natural resources.
Most of us want to do what's best for our families, our country, and the earth. We want to be conscious consumers who are well informed about the impacts of our purchases.
But, how can we be responsible with what we purchase and save money too?
This page was inspired by a survey on conscious consumption released by the New American Dream. It will be a resource page - guiding you towards green, socially responsible businesses and websites.
How did consumption become a way of life?
Be a Responsible Consumer
Think about who made it and what natural resources were used.
Downloadable at NewDream.org. Click on image.
Books on Conscious Consumption
from Amazon
Add Your Page on being A Responsible Consumer
Organic or Local?
Obviously, local and organic is best! But if you h more...1 point
Kim's Top 10 Sites for Green Products
Well, you've come to the right place.Here I will l more...1 point
Buying Green Carpeting
I am in the market for new carpeting in my basemen more...1 point
Dangers Of Consuming Soy Based Products
Soy Is Found In An Amazing Array Of The Commercial more...0 points
What Is Organic Cotton?
There is a lot of talk about going green and weari more...0 points
Sugar Cane Bagasse - Biodegradable Compostable Cups, Plates, and Cutlery
Bagasse (Bah-Gahs) is in. Styrofoam is out.What is more...0 points
The First Step - Reduce
Reduce what you buy. Ask yourself what you really NEED!
The Story of Stuff
with Annie Leonard
The Simple Living Network
Since 1996 The Simple Living Network has been providing resources, tools, examples and contacts for conscious, simple, healthy and restorative living. Explore "Community Services" and the hundreds of resources featured in their on-line directory.
Other Books on Simple Living
from Amazon
Your Money or Your Life
by Vicki Robin & Joe Dominguez
Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence: Revised and Updated for the 21st Century
Amazon Price: $7.74 (as of 06/02/2012)
Great book on how to make a life rather than a living.
Add Your Page on Simple Living Here
Reduce Reuse Recycle Responsible
Voluntary Simplicity
Life shouldn't be so complicated. Voluntary Simpli more...1 point
Too Much Stuff
Most people in America have too much stuff. In our more...1 point
Simple Living
As our non-renewable resources are depleted (some more...0 points
50 Things you can Reduce
The first step in going green is to reduce the amo more...0 points
The Second Step - Reuse
Reuse what you already have.
Add Your Page on Reusing Here
Reduce Reuse Recycle Responsible
50 Things you can Reuse
Recycling is very important, but even better is re more...0 points
How to Reuse Paper Rolls
Before you throw away a paper roll, do you conside more...0 points
How to Reuse Egg Cartons?
Well, you may ask yourself - what, in earth, could more...0 points
How to Reuse Old CD or DVD
Do you burn CD-ROMs on your computer and get error more...0 points
How to Reuse Popsicle Sticks?
Your kid just love to eat popsicles? Can't get out more...0 points
10 Plus Ways To Reuse Empty Glass Jars
To be planet-friendly I buy a lot of food in glass more...0 points
Reusing Household Items For Green Crafts
Wait, before you throw out all those paper towel r more...0 points
Home page Reusable Bags, Reusable Shopping Bags, Eco Friendly Bags, Promotional Bags
B.B. Begonia eco friendly reusable bags, shopping more...0 points
Third Step - Recycle
what you can't reuse.
Add Your Page on Recycling Here
Reduce Reuse Recycle Responsible
Let's Stop Polluting the Oceans!
Plastics are devastating our oceans and sea creatu more...1 point
How to Set Up a Home Recycling System
Would you like to reduce waste in your home by mor more...1 point
50 Things You Can Recycle
You've heard of people recycling everything from p more...0 points
Recycling-Facts For All
In light of the USA's current solid waste disposal more...0 points
Recycle 411 Guide
This lens will help you recycle, upcycle, crecycle more...0 points
Recycle those Old Jeans
What do you do with your old jeans? You know the o more...0 points
Be a Responsible Business.
Responsible Purchasing Network
Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN) is an international network of buyers dedicated to socially responsible and environmentally sustainable purchasing. Our membership program and consulting services provide institutional purchasers with cutting edge procurement tools and resources designed to save money, conserve resources, reduce waste, and improve efficiency.
This is basically a membership organization for institutional buying, however, they do have free purchasing guides available if you create a user account. Topics include: bottled water, cleaners, computers, paint, paper, etc.
Download their purchasing guide on bottled water.
Books on Responsible Purchasing
from Amazon
Add a link to a responsible business.
Endangered Species Chocolate
A Company and Product ReviewSavor Chocolate. Save more...0 points
10 Sites for Green Products
Do you wonder where to buy the best green, environ more...0 points
Patagonia Outdoor Clothing, Apparel and Gear for Climbing, Hiking, Surfing, Running, Travel
Patagonia clothing company is a designer of outdoo more...0 points
Sugarcane Bagasse - Biodegradable Compostable Cups, Plates, and Cutlery
Sugarcane Bagasse (Bah-Gahs) is in. Styrofoam is o more...0 points
Be a Responsible Investor
Socially Responsible Investing
What is socially responsible investing? Investing in businesses who consider the impact of their practices on the environment, their employees and the communities where they are located.
Social Investment Forum
The Social Investment Forum is the U.S. national nonprofit membership association for professionals, firms and organizations dedicated to advancing the practice and growth of socially responsible investing (SRI). Critical to responsible investment practice is the consideration of environmental, social and corporate governance criteria in addition to standard financial analysis. Forum members support SRI through portfolio selection analysis, shareholder advocacy and community investing.
The 500 members of the Social Investment Forum include investment management and advisory firms, mutual fund companies, research firms, financial planners and advisors, broker-dealers, banks, credit unions, community development organizations, non-profit associations, and pension funds, foundations, Native American tribes and other asset owners.
SocialFunds.com
SocialFunds.com features over 10,000 pages of information on SRI mutual funds, community investments, corporate research, shareowner actions, and daily social investment news.
Green America Guide to Social Investing
Add Your Page on Responsible Investing Here
Environment News, Global Warming & Social Responsibility
Social Response Capitalism* Â * Â *For many year more...0 points
Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethical Business
Looking back, the swinging sixties and early seven more...0 points
Books on Socially Responsible Investing
from Amazon
Books on Green Living
from Amazon
Buy Fair Trade Products
What is Fair Trade?
Keep in mind this number - 2.7 billion - estimated number of people in the world existing on less than $2 / day, according to the World Bank.
- Fair Trade 101
- What is fair trade? Fair trade is a term that's thrown around quite a bit when it comes to green living and lime lifestyles. It certainly sounds like a good thing, considering the word "fair" is used so frequently, but what is it exactly that makes fair trade so fair? And for that matter, if you don't look for the fair trade label, are you being unfair?
- TransFair USA
- Fair Trade Certification empowers farmers and farm workers to lift themselves out of poverty by investing in their farms and communities, protecting the environment, and developing the business skills necessary to compete in the global marketplace. Fair trade is much more than a fair price. It also includes fair labor conditions, investing in local communities, democracy and transparency, and sustainable farming.
- Fair Trade Federation
- Get Involved! Entrepreneurs, citizens, students, educators, community leaders, and many others remain the backbone of the fair trade movement. Bring great fair trade products into your shop, home, school, faith community, municipality, wedding, or workplace.
Coffee with a Conscience
Read more about the ethics of coffee buying.
I Like My Coffee Fair
Add Your Page on Fair Trade Here
Organic And Fair Trade Coffee
Tired of buying faceless coffees from who knows wh more...0 points
Fair Trade Jewelry
FAIR TRADE JEWELRY FOR ARTISANSJewelry that is mad more...0 points
Chic Fair Trade and Eco Stuff
Because you buy with a clear conscience and it's n more...0 points
Canadian Diamonds: Fair Trade diamonds or Conflict Free diamonds?
Are Fair Trade products fair? Are conflict free di more...0 points
Fair Trade Products from Haiti
The people of Haiti need our help. Organizations, more...0 points
Poll
Excerpt from "The Responsibility Revolution"
New American Dream
Live Consciously - Buy Wisely - Make a Difference
The mission of New American Dream is to help Americans learn how to consume responsibly to protect the environment, enhance quality of life, and promote social justice.
Visit their Alternative Gift Registry for alternatives to gift buying.
Green America
Economic Action for a Just Planet
The mission of Green America is to harness economic power-the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace-to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.
If you are interested in being a conscious consumer, I would highly recommend checking out this organization. They put on most of the Green Festivals held in cities across the country. They not only give the "how" to green living (making your own cleaners, where to buy fair trade, what companies are socially responsible), they also explain what fair trade, green businesses, and social responsibility are.
Visit their Responsible Shopper page. If you decide to join Green America, you will receive a copy of their National Green Pages, Green Living Newsletter, and Guide to Social Investing.
Green Deals Online
Get Green Deals Coupons
every day in your inbox.
Thank you for visiting my page on Responsible Purchasing.
Did you find something you could use?
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tom-macgregor
May 21, 2012 @ 7:49 am | delete
- I work for a social enterprise in Rwanda. We are encouraging people in the US to purchase items as a way of helping people less fortunate than themselves But I must admit I am a little torn - on the one hand I think consumerism has got way out of hand (I do not think we really need all the stuff we have) but on the other hand I think that helping countries like Rwanda get more involved in the global market (and therefore encouraging consumerism) will really help the people here have a better standard of living. Any thoughts on that one???
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kimmanleyort
May 21, 2012 @ 9:00 am | delete
- Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I enjoyed reading your lenses on Rwanda and answered your question there to the best of my ability. I think if products have value and are made in a responsible way, then that's okay. And, good art has value. Consumerism for the sake of consumerism, that uses non-renewable resources, damages the earth, and exploits workers is not okay.
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ChrisDay
Feb 21, 2011 @ 12:14 am | delete
- This is so useful and so important - thanks - sometimes it can be very difficult to unearth the seamy side of some corporate interests but we have to go on trying, in order to make our pounds/dollars/euros count in the world.
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mcochs
Dec 22, 2010 @ 8:05 am | delete
- Awesome lens! Blessed by a Squidoo Angel on 12/22/2010. Have a great day!
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MeltedRachel
Sep 14, 2010 @ 6:17 am | delete
- Excellent lens, Kim. Lensrolled to How to Live without stuff. That first quote of Victor Lebow gives me horrid shudders - bleh!
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by kimmanleyort
Mother, wife and photographer who never stops learning. I'm also trying to become a responsible purchaser. Are you?
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