Dear shoppers: this edition of the Earth Tones series reflects on what you can do to be a smarter green shopper, on Etsy and elsewhere. Take it to heart!

Everything you buy has an effect on the environment. It’s your job to make sure that the footprint you leave on the Earth is as minimal as possible. It’s my hope with this article to raise awareness and educate the Etsy community on better, smarter ways to shop.

Eco-friendly products are more accessible and affordable then ever before. However, it’s not just about recycling after you buy: it’s about buying smart and thinking before you make that purchase in the first place. This is a highly underrated concept. The object is not to fill the recycle bin as much as possible, but to minimize what we buy to prevent us from having to recycle in the first place. The quicker we can understand this concept, the better off we'll be.

In order to become a more educated, green savvy shopper, there are a few things you need to know, like how your item is packaged, what materials are used, if it’s recyclable, and how long will it last. With simple tips and smart planning, anyone can do their part to help conserve our resources.

Here are a couple questions to ask yourself before you hand over the cash…

- Do you really need this product?
- Is this product going to get its full use?
- How is the product manufactured?
- What will you do with the product when you’re finished?

To elaborate on the questions above, I’ve outlined a few things below to keep in mind on your next shopping trip.

- Buy in bulk as much as possible. Non-perishable goods such as canned vegetables, toilet paper, cleaning supplies and detergent are all things you can buy in the largest available quantity. This will not only save wasted packaging, but will also save you some cash and the resourses used to create the product.

- Don’t use those plastic produce bags the grocery store offers. There are so many alternatives to reusable bags that it just doesn’t make sense to waste the plastic.

[Ready for Market Tote with 3 Reusable Shopping Bags by kootsac, at right] 

kootsac and remarket make a great produce bag to take along with you to the market. You can also use them for whole dry foods such as nuts, dried fruits and candies that are becoming more popular at your local grocer.

While you’re at it, say no to paper and plastic. Buy a tote bag and take it along with you next time you shop. I’m particularly fond of this plastic blows tote from jpharris or these cute little wristlets made from recycled t-shirt arms by zJayne. I’m most fond of the color selection that niccocjm has to offer on her eco-friendly shopping bags. What fun to carry around! Buy one of each color to match your outfit.

- Buy used. Carolyn from Cowgirlrosie says it best: "Our throwaway society is creating garbage we may never fully get rid of and using recourses we will never be able to duplicate."

By purchasing used, you are not only preserving the landfills, but also saving those valuable resources that would otherwise be used if you bought something new from the store.  I have this fabulous table lamp I purchased for $2 at my local Goodwill and I’m damn proud of it.  You are saving that product from being dumped in our already overcrowded landfills and giving new life to something old.

Etsy has a substantial vintage category where you can find all sorts of lovelies found by your very own Etsy friends. Seller thatsswell has some gorgeous vintage pyrex bowls in her shop right now, seen at left.

- Buy recycled packaging. Look for items that are made from materials that can be easily recycled, as not all packaging can be recycled everywhere: some towns only accept glass or certain plastics. It’s important to know what your town recycles before you buy. Earth911 is a great site to go visit to find out the recycling rules in your area.

- Stop buying paper towels. With all the crocheted dishcloths and tea towels our Etsy peers have to offer, how can you resist? Families waste $260 a year on paper towels and napkins. That’s huge! I’ve grown found of EcoKate’s crocheted dish cloths, and boxwoodgood’s hemp napkins.

Jayne Pierce from zJayne says, "More and more we are seeing smart, fun, creative, artsy creations for everything! Handmade items extending the life of a product makes a difference a little at a time." Thanks for those words of wisdom, Jayne.

We live in such a throw away society that it’s more important now than ever to be a conscious buyer. Do the planet a favor and think before you buy.

Further Resources:
2moderneco.com
BuyGreen.com
Greatgreengoods.com
ActGreen.com
Ibuydifferent.org
GreenPages.org

Projectfelt is shop of all things colorful and felted. Her passion for design, form and color is what makes her business successful. Born and raised in a small town in Pennsylvania, she loves to take nature walks and gather tree droppings to stuff in her little felted bowls. Her passion for the environment carries over to her blog at Projectfelt.blogspot.com, where she talks about eco-friendly topics and also features Etsy sellers weekly.