Buy products that have the least packaging

Nature has come up with some ingenious packaging solutions; banana skins, coconuts and kiwis and yet in most supermarkets you well find these products covered with an extra layer of plastic packaging. When shopping try to buy your fruit and vegtables loose and buy meet from the butcher instead of on pre packaged polystyrene trays.

Buy products with packaging that can be recycled

Generally, we are all aware that paper and cardboard packaging can be recycled it gets a bit more difficult when you get to plastic packaging. Try and minimise packaging first but if it is packaged make sure it is something you can recycle. PET bottles used for fizzy drinks and milk can be recycled at most bring centres. For more information on bring centres in Ireland near where you live and what they take check out the "Race Against Waste" website.

Remember to bring your reusable shopping bags  

It is estimated that the plastic bag tax in Ireland is responsible for reducing by 90% the number of plastic bags used and generating up to 10 million euro per year in revenue for environmental projects. 

Buy fairly traded products produced by adults receiving a fair wage with safe and comfortable working conditions.

When your shopping with ethics and the environment in mind there can seem like there is an awful lot to remember. One step is to support organisations campaigning for trade justice. Trade rules control how countries do business with each other. They are agreed at an international level, and are supposed to make sure nations compete openly and fairly. However ther eality is that they don't because the rules are rigged often loaded in favour of the wealthiest countries and their business interests. To find out more about trade justice campaigns visit the Make Poverty History website. 

When purchasing new appliances or household goods buy products which will last the longest.

It's tempting when buying a new product to go for the cheapest option but spending more initially may save you money in the long run. There are a number of websites on the web were you can research eco products, check out the Eco Shop located in Co Wicklow. They have a wide range of environmentally sound products from wind up radios to insulating materials available. 

For more information about eco shopping ceck out the tips in our Food section