The Urban Permaculture Farm Magazine

As consumers we all have extraordinary opportunities to make a change for the better through our purchasing power. Every purchase we make counts as a vote in support of the manufacturers, marketing and policy setters established practices and future actions of each product we purchase. Let your wallet do the talking.  This is incredible nonviolent power speaks loudly to companies that will adjust their business practices to gain an edge over their competition and increase their market share. If the ultimate goal is to be greener than we are and to lighten our carbon footprints we need to start looking at the objects in our hands, our cupboards and consider their true impact and cost on our planet.

Reduce:  Slow down your purchasing and consumption overall.  Start asking yourself, do I really need it? Will I be happier having it? Why am I buying or using this? How many hours do I need to work to pay for this? This is an easy first step to start being an ecologically conscious consumer.

Precycle:  Before you use, consider the packaging, life-cycle, and end of life use before purchasing. Is it a cradle-to-cradle (resourse to resource) item or a cradle-to-grave (resource to landfill)? Is this product local, if not, can I get it or something similar locally?

Refuse:  Refuse any and all items and their packaging that will end up in the landfill after a single use, or without the ability to be composted, upcycled, reused or recycled or in any form toxic in their production or use or disposal. Fair-trade, farming practices and sweatshop free are also important considerations. Ask yourself, Will I cause harm by purchasing this?

Reuse:  Reuse any and all items you bring into your day. If you can't reuse it, there are many people that will find value in your discarded items. Consider Craigs List, EBay, student newsletters, free cycle, barter, donate to local charities or groups locally, leave for "Free" out on your roadside but bring in if not removed.

Compost:  All compostable goods, food, newspapers, dryer lint, hair, ash, floor sweepings... among a few items, deposited in outdoor composting bins, or red wiggler worm bins (vermiculture), and compact electric apartment composters are a few of the simple easy ways to compost at home. Use this compost by pitting it on your houseplants, in your garden or rake into your lawn.

Recycle:  When all other options are exhausted with a responsible recycler who is not shipping your trash overseas, find out where it is going and for what. Upcycling is the repurposing of materials and using them as is but changing it into something different. For example: Boat canvas sails are resewn into bike carrier and computer bags instead of being sent to the landfill.

All households can immediately reduce their trash percentages by 75-80% if they started to look at what they are throwing it out and asking if there is a better way.  Practice makes perfect and a little goes a long way so start today.