It is unlikely that you consider your cell phone to be a ticking time bomb or the package of batteries you buy toxic sludge. Undoubtedly, you do not buy disposable razors in an attempt to destroy the environment, nor do you buy bottled water thinking that the plastic will burn nicely in our incinerator.
Yet every product we purchase has a lifespan far exceeding the period
we use it. From its manufacture, distribution and use through to its
disposal, each product impacts the health of the environment in
distinct ways. Until now, we just turned a relatively blind eye to it.
But the concept of “product stewardship” is growing, with those in the
product lifecycle – manufacturers, retailers, users and disposers –
sharing responsibility for reducing the environmental impacts of
products.
Product stewardship involves considering the environmental impacts of a
good or service throughout its life cycle, with the aim to purchase
products that use fewer natural resources and less energy, reduce the
hazardous materials we emit into the environment, and reduce our waste.
Many consumers may ask: why bother? Isn’t it the role of the Government
to enact legislation that protects human and environmental health?
Isn’t it the role of industry to produce new “green” technologies? Can
my purchasing habits really make a difference?
The answer to these questions is a resounding yes. Government and
industry must be held accountable in responding to climate change;
however, an integrated and collaborative approach between individuals,
governments, businesses and civil society organisations is necessary in
order to support wider cultural change and the development of national
and international norms. After government and industry, consumers are
the third front in the fight against climate change. Purchasing power
is a formidable force. It is truly time for consumers to collectively
change our consumption habits.
On a practical level, this means that when we shop we need to make the
best choices for the environment and ourselves. Here are some easy ways
to get started:
Consider other options before purchasing. Do I really need it? If so,
see if you can repair what you have first, or borrow, rent or buy
second hand instead of purchasing new.
Consider what it’s made of. Is it made from hazardous materials (such
as the heavy metals used in cell phones and other electronic equipment,
the toxic chemicals in many cleaners, pesticides and batteries)? The
best raw materials options are those with a certain percentage of
content that is recycled, unbleached or, in the case of wooden
products, made from sustainable managed timber.
Consider how it is packaged. Avoid disposable products (such as razors,
cameras, batteries) and individual sizes. Instead, buy in bulk. Ask if
you can return packaging such as bubble wrap or other shipping filler.
Use a reusable bag instead of accepting a disposable one – if it’s a
large item, just tape your receipt to the product and avoid a bag all
together.
Consider how it got to you. Transporting products to Bermuda
contributes to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Try to buy
locally when possible. Buying organic further reduces the environmental
impact of the food you eat because it means that conventional
pesticides and artificial fertilizers were not used when the crops were
grown and that the foods were processed without food additives and
chemical preservatives.
Consider how efficiently the product works. Look for the Energy Star
logo on appliances, high-efficiency markings on products, and those
that do not use a lot of energy, water or chemicals.
Recycle or dispose of it properly. Go to www.wastemanagement.gov.bm to
review the Ministry of Works and Engineering’s instructions on which
products require special disposal, such as CFL lightbulbs, batteries
and paint cans.
In short, each time you open your wallet consider that your credit card
is like a ballot that you are using to vote in favour of one product,
one manufacturer or one industry over another. And your vote counts.
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