Fresh Greens

Recession Shopping Can Make Us Unintentionally Greener

By Maura Judkis

Posted: August 26, 2008

The recession could be making us greener, a Unilever study reveals. In tough times, consumers prioritize their spending, and the first five items that they stop buying are air fresheners, cookies, beer and wine, frozen dinners, and soda. Recessionproof items that we'll never stop buying include pet food, toilet paper, deodorant, pain reliever, hair care products, fresh meat, and canned vegetables. According to Treehugger, this is great news for the environment—no more chemical-filled air fresheners, or artificial ingredient-laden cookies, soda, and microwave dinners. Presumably, we'll opt for cheaper, more healthful fare, or at least more home-cooked meals.

How closely does the list match your own, and do you think you're greener as a result? I'll go first: Lately, I haven't bought cookies or sweets, and have switched to meatless lunches and dinners a few days a week, which is more healthful, greener, and saves cash. The recession will never take away my shampoo or makeup, though, neither of which are particularly organic.

Your turn: What will the recession never pry from your cold, green fingers, eco-friendly or not?

This is affects us with Beauty Products too!

Did you know??

# Everyday packaging accounts for approximately 1/3 of all landfill waste.

# Most community recyclers only take items made from materials that are easily recognized - such as soda and water bottles.

# Cosmetic and toiletry bottles, tubes, caps and jars among those items not easily recognized and therefore not often recycled

So now I totally support companies that are trying to recycle.. And if I can get a free item by helping out, why not??

http://cozywallet.com/beauty/recycle-your-cosmetic-and-toiletry-bottles-for-free-makeup/

Dana of NY @ Aug 04, 2009 09:52:12 AM

Good luck taking my car away from me

The recession will never pry my car from my cold, green fingers, no matter what. I live in the suburbs of city (Pittsburgh, actually) that has a public transportation system that is in shambles. I live 45 minutes from work and I have to get to work to pay for my mortgage, feed myself, etc. Although I have been driving a bit less, no matter how high gas prices get I simply have to drive because taking the bus is not an option... and goodness knows we don't have anything remotely close to a subway here.

I have been listening to the things that you have been saying in your blog in previous posts about not idling a car for more than 10 seconds... so despite the fact that I simply must drive and therefore will never give my car up to the recession- I guess I am giving up throwing money out the window by idling.

Keep up the good work!

Leah of PA @ Aug 26, 2008 14:04:22 PM

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Fresh Greens

Fresh Greens

Maura Judkis is a producer at U.S. News. She writes about the green movement and looks for ways to be an ecofriendly consumer without breaking the bank. Send her your green tips.

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