The problems of consumerism and its impact on the environment is an area of major concern in today’s world. Awareness building on the importance of recycling-reusing-reducing should be taken up seriously.

A green consumer is someone who is very concerned about the environment and, therefore, only purchases products that are environmentally-friendly or eco-friendly. Products with little or no packaging, products made from natural ingredients and products that are made without causing pollution are all examples of eco-friendly products. The green consumer would be the type to drive a hybrid vehicle, buy products made with hemp or those made from recycled materials.

Green Consumer Day reminds us to:

Buy "green" i.e. products that can be decomposed, reused and are not harmful to the environment. The most important thing is to make a commitment to using less.

Buy products that use minimal packaging. For example, choose products sold in bags rather than plastics. Packaging uses a significant amount of resources and contributes to our growing waste problem. Plastics are known to take between 20 and 1000 years to decompose.

•  Go shopping with your own bag

• Refuse to be given a plastic if you can carry your own products

• Reduce, reuse and recycle all waste 

• Reduce. Choose products that minimize waste. Avoid disposable products. Eg. a shaving machine instead of disposable razors.

• Reuse. Look for items that you can use for tasks other than that for which they were originally intended. E.g. Glass jars can be used to store jam and cereals.

• Recycle. Most household waste is potentially recyclable. The household contribution to recycling is a critical one involving basic changes in attitudes and habits.

•  Compost organic wastes. If you have a garden, create and maintain a compost pile to produce organic fertilizer from vegetable and fruit peels, leftovers, egg shells etc, and thus reduce the garbage that is thrown out.

• Shop with a conscience Give preference to only those products that are recycled, recyclable, reliable, repairable, refillable and/or reusable.