How to take action- Look for products made from natural, biodegradable materials. Wood, bamboo, jute, unbleached organic cotton, silk, and wool are natural fiber alternatives for many items (there are even computer and mouse casings available now made of bamboo!). If you can't find an easily biodegradable option, look for products made from materials that can readily be reused, for example most metals and glass.
- Avoid vinyl. Vinyl, or PVC (poly-vinyl chloride), is toxic in its manufacture, use, and disposal. In fact, from an environmental health perspective it is the worst plastic to use. Unfortunately, it is also a hard substance to avoid. Because of its versatility and longevity, PVC is used in plumbing, toys, blinds, windows, flooring and more. There are non-toxic alternatives for many of its uses, and with a little extra sleuthing you can generally locate alternative building materials as well.
- Be careful with kids' stuff. Children's items are often single use and destined for the landfill. Infant clothing and books are often handed on, but larger items, especially large plastic toys for toddlers, often get used once and then thrown out. Invest in fewer, high-quality toys made from natural and/or recyclable materials. As well, encourage friends and relatives to make sustainable – and secondhand – purchases if they are buying gifts for your kids.
- Look for products with a "take-back" program. Take-back programs are when a manufacturer commits to receiving and properly disposing of their goods after the consumer has used them. They're becoming more common for computers and electronic equipment, and are also sometimes offered for items such as shoes and active wear. Research manufacturers to see if they offer this, and ask retailers about it, so they know it's important to you.
- Look online first. The BC Electronics Materials Exchange is an invaluable resource for finding used electronics, as well as information on electronics recycling. Check it out before you make any game, computer or other electronic purchases.
- Avoid buying gimmicks, gag, or novelty items, including many cheap items popular in kids' birthday "goodie bags" these items tend to be cheaply made, filled with synthetic materials, and are quick to flood landfills.
- Be a sustainable gift giver. Use the same discerning criteria for a gift that you would for yourself to ensure this is something the recipient wants and needs. Alternatively, give gifts of favours (babysitting, painting, yard work), experiences (dinner, theatre tickets), or charitable donations. These kinds of gifts are more unique and don't create nearly as much waste.
- Watch what you're saying when you say it with flowers. Cut flowers are usually grown in chemical and water intensive environments then travel great distances, and many still contain toxic residues. Ask your florist about organically grown, fair trade flowers. Or select a plant grown by a local nursery, or some seeds, for a gift that will keep giving in a positive way for years to come.
- Keep things out of the waste stream by buying durable items, reducing, reusing, and recycling.
Why it makes a difference- Buying products made of materials that break down more completely not only reduces the quantity of stuff that ends up being incinerated or piled in landfills, it also decreases the concentrations of chemicals and toxic heavy metals that accumulate in waste sites, and end up in the air, water, and the bodies of animals.
- Natural Resources Canada estimates that Canadians throw away more than 272,000 tonnes of electronics each year. Not only does that clog our landfills, but electronics are filled with toxins such as lead and mercury that seep into the ground. Even recycling them is not benign. Reducing how many we use and make is the best way to protect environmental and human well being.
- Plastic constitutes about 90% of all trash floating the world's oceans. It is literally killing our fish, sea birds and other ocean-reliant creatures. In 2006, the UN Environment Program estimated that the ocean contains an average of 46,000 pieces of floating plastic per square mile.
- The North Pacific Sub Tropical Gyre, or Great Pacific Garbage Patch, is considered the world's largest landfill, despite being in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The movement of air currents pulls plastic waste from the ocean into what has become two whirling areas of plastic garbage: the Western Garbage Patch (between Hawaii and Japan), and the Eastern Garbage Patch (between Hawaii and California). The eastern patch is estimated to be twice the size of Texas and growing.
- Recycling is not a stand alone solution. It often involves someone having to remove toxic chemicals or metals from an object and then to dispose of the various components. Most materials also break down over time, so they can only be recycled so often. The best option is to reduce your use of items that don't readily biodegrade.
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