Buying "green" is more than just a good idea!

You can save money, energy, water and the planet.

Being a green consumer means taking the time to do a little research into what's on the market and how environmentally responsible the different options are. It's about thinking about your purchases, the alternatives that are available and then weighing up your needs and wants against the wellbeing of the planet.

Buying greener products helps the planet in a number of ways.

Green products are softer on the environment

Firstly, you're helping the planet by buying and using a product instead of a more harmful alternative.

This product may have used less resources in its production, may be more environmentally friendly in its use or may be more easily and safely disposed of or recycled at the end of its useful life than a product that it an environmental offender.

Some products generate funding for green initiatives

Secondly, some products help the environment by helping to raise funds for environment groups. This happens when a product manufacturer gives some of the profits from product sales to a green group. However, make sure that the product is a better environmental alternative, as marketers may use "green-washing" to make a bad product appear to be environmentally friendly.

Buying green shows product designers that you care about the environment

Thirdly, when you buy any product you're exhibiting "consumer behaviour". The choices we make when we're shopping reflect not only our tastes but also our values and ideals. Marketers and product developers take careful note of this.

When you buy green products you show the people who make the products that the environment is important to you. As consumer behaviour gets greener, product manufacturers will respond by making more of their products better for the environment. Remember, every note is a vote!

Buying green rewards those businesses that are doing the right thing

Finally, when you buy a green product, you're rewarding a business that is doing the right thing environmentally, by giving them your business.