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 In a throwaway convenience world, we buy so many things we don’t need including things that are often overpackaged and stuffed with poisons. The principle of “unshopping” involves unlearning all the bad habits of our consumer society, shopping more responsibly and thinking about the future of the planet.
To begin learning the art of “unshopping” read any of these three great books
• Save Cash AND Save the Planet by Andrea Smith and Cicola Baird
• Wake Up and Smell the Planet: The Non-Pompous, Non-Preachy Grist Guide to Greening Your Day by Grist Magazine, Brangien Davis, and Katharine Wroth
• Green Goes with Everything: Simple Steps to a Healthier Life and a Cleaner Planet by Sloan Barnett And for starters, here is a list of ten things you should never buy:
1. Styrofoam cups: Polystyrene is forever: It’s not biodegradable. Americans use enough styrofoam cups each year to circle the earth 436 times.
2. Paper towels: They waste forest resources and your money. Use a dishcloth.
3. Bleached coffee filters: The dioxins used in the bleaching contaminate groundwater and are linked to cancer.
4. Overpackaged food: One-third of what we put in the rubbish bin is packaging. Buy in bulk and buy things with less packaging.
5. Hardwood products: Every year 27 million acres of tropical rainforests are being destroyed. Use products made from sustainably harvested timber or salvaged wood.
6. Chemical pesticides: They poison the soil and contaminate the groundwater. Grow native plants and use organic pest-control techniques.
7. Household cleaning fluids: Buy biodegradable nontoxic cleaners and washing powders, or make your own with simple ingredients such as vinegar and soap.
8. Higher octane gasoline than you need: The higher the octane, the more hazardous the pollutants.
9. Toys made with PVC: Chemicals used to make PVC are known carcinogens and it is the least recycled plastic.
10. Plastic forks and spoons: They are not biodegradable. Carry your own utensils and food containers. Make a commitment not to buy any of these items. It’s a start toward creating a better world. You’ll find that once you get into the swing of things, you won’t even notice the difference.
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