Simple Ways to Be Green and Save Green When You Shop

In the early days of the “green” movement, some practical-minded Americans may have considered an eco-friendly lifestyle a costly luxury they couldn’t afford. Now, however, people are increasingly viewing green habits as cost-cutting measures they can’t afford to pass over.

Small, simple steps can green your lifestyle and save you some money at the same time. Shopping, for example, is one area where you can apply the principals of recycling in a way that benefits the environment and your wallet. Here are a few tips for greening your buying routine:

• When you buy something online, save and reuse (or recycle) the packaging materials the item is delivered in.
• Buy products made from recycled, organic or sustainable materials like bamboo, hemp or soy. WorldofGood.com by eBay is a new marketplace that relies on independent organizations like Green America and Rainforest Action Network to verify that products are environmentally friendly — not to mention affordably priced.
• Shopping online and combining shopping trips can also help reduce your carbon footprint.

Buying vintage, pre-owned and refurbished items instead of new ones is another way to protect the environment and your cash flow — and possibly make a style statement at the same time. The greenest products are generally the ones that already exist, because no new raw materials are consumed to make them or deliver them to you.

If you’re ready to shop pre-owned and vintage, keep in mind a few tips for getting the best deal.

“Giving a used product new life reduces waste, the demand for raw materials to make new products, and the energy needed for new manufacturing,” says Constance White, style director for eBay. “Purchasing pre-owned, vintage and refurbished items online can have a very positive impact on the environment.” Some eye-opening eBay statistics support this theory:

• In 2007, the sale of used laptops saved the production of 69,000 tons of carbon dioxide - the equivalent effect as saving 437 acres of forest.
• The sale of used handbags over the past three years cut greenhouse gas emissions by an amount equivalent to planting 2.4 million trees.
• Purchases of used golf clubs in the past three years had the same impact on greenhouse gases as would removing 22,000 cars off the road for a year.

“Repurposed items that are ‘new to you’ can offer great savings and unique style,” White says. To get the most of your online search, use search terms like “pre-owned,” “one-of-a-kind,” “gently used,” “rare” or “vintage.” You can find deals on pre-owned items from jewelry to children’s clothing, even shoes. “Many kids now keep their pricey sneakers in pristine condition,” White notes.

For more ideas on how small changes can add up to a big, positive impact on the environment, visit eBay.com/greenteam.