INTRODUCTION:

We have come to live in a society where consumerism is endorsed as the primary patriotic act. While individuals often feel powerless, or unable to change government and corporate policies, our capitalist system has given us consumer power. If we choose to buy responsibly, or not buy at all, we will not only support responsible business owners, but will also become part of a growing movement to take back control from corporations who prioritize profit over environmental and social well-being. This guide was created by Gaia: Smith Students for the Environment in Spring 2003 to increase people’s awareness of where the products they use on a daily basis are coming from and to promote healthy consumerism.
All consumers, particularly environmentally and socially conscious individuals, should realize that we vote with our money. Every purchase we make has consequences, whether they are recognized or not. Therefore, we believe that by providing consumers with information about the available alternatives, we are supplying them with the necessary tools for responsible purchasing, or for not purchasing at all. Be aware of the sources of your purchases, who or what may have been exploited to make them, how they may harm you or the environment, and where they will go when you no longer have use for them. This guide attempts to address these issues, particularly in regard to food, clothing, and other products we’ve come to consider as essential.

THE FIRST STEP: REDUCING CONSUMPTION AND DIMINISHING YOUR ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT:
Be a Smart Consumer:
• Buy recycled products when possible
• Bring reusable cloth bags to the grocery store
• Bring reusable Tupperware, mug, and cloth napkin when eating on the run
• Buy second-hand clothing
• Buy from companies that use environmentally sound practices
• Try to buy items with recycled or minimal packaging
• Buy things that will LAST
• Buy LESS and share MORE

Reduce Your Energy Use:
• Turn off the lights when you aren’t in the room
• Use energy saving features on your computer, like screen savers and sleep mode
• Turn down the heat when you are out
• Don’t buy appliances, like a mini fridge, if you can share one with a friend
• Air-dry clothes, instead of using the dryer
• Use public transportation, ride your bike, or walk

Reduce Your Water Use:
• Take shorter showers and fewer baths
• Turn the water off when brushing your teeth and washing your face
• “If it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down,” or get a more water efficient toilet, or a water-free toilet!
• Do laundry only when you really have to!

Reduce Your Paper Use:
• Print/copy double-sided
• Ask your professors if they mind if you use paper printed with one side used already (flyers or paper in the recycling bin next to the copiers in Neilson and Bass)—they usually don’t mind
• Use half and quarter size flyers, envelopes, etc. for scrap paper
• Reuse notebooks from one semester to the next, put tabs with course name at beginning of each semester
• Reuse folders

Recycle As Much As You Can!

Things you can recycle at Smith: aluminum cans, bottles (glass, and all types of plastic), cardboard milk and juice containers, newspaper, magazines, corrugated cardboard, batteries (if your house doesn’t have a battery box, set one up!), printer cartridges, old computers and electronics (call Physical Plant at x2400). Buy products made of recycled materials! You’re not really recycling unless you complete the cycle!