THE 7 R...of green consumer

[maria angelica sassone]

Reflect, reject, reduce, reuse, recycle, redistribute and claim. Consumers who take these seven actions contribute to environmental conservation, to achieve a more equitable world and, incidentally, save money. Several simple tips will make possible these seven Rs of the consumer "green."

Autor: Por ALEX FERNÁNDEZ MUERZAFecha de publicación: 11 de noviembre de 2010
Green consumers are reflective and critical. Recognize that humans, like other living things are part of an interrelated whole: nature. Any action that puts human beings at the expense of nature affects directly or indirectly on human welfare of present and future generations. Information and environmental education are key to enable citizens to rethink the way they consume.

Decisions consistent with this position are varied: choose goods and services committed to the environment, walking, cycling or public transport instead of private cars, to support the use of renewable energies and flee as far as possible the use of fossil fuels, eat fresh, seasonal and near, wearing clothes made with natural fibers , etc.

Reject
The toxic, non-biodegradable or recyclable should stay out of the shopping list. This product can be in many areas of the home and, whenever possible, we must reject its use and substitute more environmentally friendly. The house cleaning or laundry can be done organically without recourse to industrial products.

The toxic, non-biodegradable or recyclable should stay away from shopping list
Labels and consumer information products can help discern what should be rejected. Knowing well the recycling symbols can be used to determine if the materials are recovered when life ends.

Some products have a significant environmental impact and therefore should reject them. This is the case of items that use CFCs cause the destruction of the ozone layer , others who have a high carbon footprint , consume a large amount of virtual water , causing the deforestation of virgin forests, are based on illegal endangered species or use illegal fishing gear or overexploited fishing grounds, among others. As possible replacements, you can consume the products that ensure the sustainable use of forests ( FSC ) or fishery resources ( MSC label ), the organic products or fair trade .

Reduce


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The result of the formula is obvious: fewer assets, lower costs and less exploitation of natural resources and less pollution and waste. No need to stop using, but do it with his head. Before purchasing a new product, one must ask whether it is really necessary.

Consumers can reduce their environmental impact in many ways. When buying, avoid products with excessive packaging . Whenever possible, you have to choose the larger sizes and concentrated products to generate less waste, and while saving money. Water is not an inexhaustible resource although it seems every time you open the tap. Several tips can reduce their consumption without suffering the level of welfare. Similarly, power generation involves the use of fuels largely generating pollution, like oil or radioactive materials and the exploitation of nature. Energy costs may also reduce at home with a few simple guidelines .

Reuse
Prolong the life of the property contributes to domestic savings and reduce environmental impact. Containers or disposable products are the antithesis of responsible consumption and ecological.

Prolong the life of the property contributes to domestic savings and reduce environmental impact
Reuse is possible in many ways. When shopping, should carry cloth bags or other materials that allow extended use and avoid harmful plastic bags . Rechargeable batteries are less harmful than a single use. The paper sheets can be used by both sides and cardboard boxes can be exploited more to store other items. The books, records, clothes, etc. can be exchanged between friends and family, and is not over shop around second-hand markets. Get what you pay, not only for money, but also for the environment. Very cheap products of poor quality do not last anything and end up in the trash. Instead, the well developed can be reused more times. Adequately care products, ignoring the recommendations of the manufacturer and repaired whenever possible promote long life. A more sophisticated form of reuse is called " upcycling ", which transforms an object without use or intended to be a waste in another of equal or greater utility and value. Consumers become new products and save money.

Recycle



Separate waste properly for recycling is an action with multiple environmental benefits. Recycled wastes do not end up in landfills, increasingly saturated, waste materials are used to develop new goods and, therefore, prevents the extraction of new raw materials and reduces energy consumption in its production. By recycling one aluminum can saves an amount of energy it consumes similar to a television for three hours. A well-recycled aluminum consumes 5% of the energy needed if based on virgin material. CONSUMER Eroski offers through its School of Recycling or its various articles all the necessary information.

Similarly, consumers also can practice composting , a system that converts organic waste into a number of environmental applications.

Redistribute
Imbalances between rich and poor countries not only affect their inhabitants, but also the environment. Humanity has doubled in the past 40 years its footprint globally, so that current consumption is based on the use of resources from other areas or future generations. If all the world's people lived like an average citizen of U.S. or UAE, would take over 4.5 Earths. The ecological footprint of Spanish is also high: it takes more than three surfaces like that of Spain. The environment and humanity can not endure indefinitely this development unsustainable and, therefore, is to redistribute consumption equally. Products with a smaller ecological footprint, or based on fair trade principles can reduce these

Claim
Consumers can and should be actively involved in activities that affect their daily lives. The law protects the ability to claim and demand actions that contribute to improving the environment and quality of life of citizens. The lines of action are very different: the institutions claiming more measures to conserve and restore the environment, calling for infrastructure to recycle, call for increased support for organic products and renewable energy, require the use of reusable bags in supermarkets instead of disposable, demand more recycled and recyclable products, demand for environmental information, etc.

Consumers are the basis of the production system and their purchasing decisions may change the market trends. Therefore, make responsible consumption is an indirect way of claiming to companies that include variable ecological goods and services.
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