Smart shopping


Are you a smart shopper?

‘Smart shopping’ may sound like a buzzword for buying groceries online or a campaign to get shoppers looking their best but it’s actually all about helping protect the environment.

Homes across Merseyside and Halton have made massive strides in recycling stuff that, just a few years ago, we’d have put straight in the bin - but we’ve still got to do more.

The Smart Shopping initiative is just one of the extra things we can do. It’s really simple and can be done by taking small steps. As well thinking about what you recycle, think about what you buy in the first place and make a conscious effort to choose products and packaging that are environmentally friendly.

Start by asking yourself these questions:
  • Is there too much packaging?
  • Has it come from further away than necessary?
  • Does it exploit people in the third world?
If the answer to any of the above is ‘yes’, think about buying something else - or even skipping the purchase altogether. The most effective way of achieving change is by consumer power. Ask yourself if you actually need it - you could be helping cut the amount of waste sent to landfill, reducing greenhouse gases and pollution, encouraging fair trade or helping persuade producers to cut unnecessary packaging. You may even save some money too.


10 Smart Shopping Tips
  • Make a shopping list before you go to avoid unnecessary purchases
  • Buy loose vegetables
  • Buy non-perishables in bulk (e.g. washing powder)
  • Avoid multi-packs of small cartons
  • Check use by dates
  • Avoid over packaged items
  • Avoid single use or disposable items
  • Buy reusable items like rechargeable batteries and shopping bags
  • Buy recycled goods where you can (e.g. kitchen towels and toilet rolls from recycled paper)
  • Check the country of origin