How To Be More Eco Friendly When Shopping

Are you guilty of wastage when shopping? Do you buy or use things you don't need to? Here are a few tips you can use, to be more eco friendly when shopping.

Re-use plastic bags from supermarkets and greengrocers for fruit and vegetables. Choose to re-use carrier bags or use strong bags/baskets such as those available through the bag for life schemes at most supermarkets.

Return the packaging If you buy locally produced products ask if the producer would welcome the empty jars, bottles or containers back.Re-usable batteries If you use a lot of batteries, consider buying rechargeable ones that last for years.

Used printer cartridges can be refilled, and are much cheaper to purchase than new ones. Ask suppliers if they refill them at a discounted price, if not you can also sell them online for cash - see Sell Empty Ink Cartridges for more information on how you can do this online.

Choose the milkman rather than buying milk from a local shop or supermarket. By using the local milkman to deliver milk, fruit juices and soft drinks, you will be reusing containers. The glass milk bottles are refilled on average 12 times. Any bottles that are damaged when returned are also recycled along with any foil from the milk bottle tops - this is better for the planet than using milk in a cardboard or plastic container.

If you want the latest music or book then make more use of your local library.Not only can you borrow many books for free, but many libraries have DVDs, CD's and talking books for loan at very low prices - so you can save money rather than buying or renting. They have magazines and daily newspapers for you to browse.

Instead of buying new toys, you can treat your children to some different toys by borrowing from a toy library. Alternatively arrange toy swaps with other parents at your child's school. These are just a few tips you can follow, and remember you can sell many of your old items online