Green Shopping

It’s easy to be green while shopping if you just keep a few things in mind!

On the way out the door

• Grab a reusable bag – whether it’s made of fabric or just an old plastic bag.  25 million plastic bags are manufactured every day in Canada, and fewer than 50% of these are recycled!
• Think about what you want to buy and whether you really need it – a lot of environmental problems are directly linked to over-consumption, and consuming less overall is even better than buying lots of “green products”.  Maybe you could just rent a DVD instead of buying it, get books from the library (and CDs!), and do you really go snowboarding enough to need your own board?  By renting, you can always have the latest equipment!  Maybe you could make some things yourself or get a friend to help you, like clothing, meals, or furniture!
• Take a sustainable form of transport to get to your destination – there are lots of great shops in walking distance downtown.  If you are heading to the Catatraqui Centre, bike or catch a bus (#1, 4, or 6 will take you there and it’s free with a student card).

While shopping

• Choose second-hand stores –remember re-using is even better than recycling!
• Choose items with less packaging and, when necessary, packaging that will be recyclable.  See www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/waste/recycling/index.asp for what’s recyclable in Kingston (#1,2,4,5 and 6 plastics)
• Buy in bulk – the Bulk Barn by the Cataraqui Centre offers 10% off for students every Wednesday; Tara Naturals Foods offersl many bulk foods; at A+P or Food Basics you can often find the same product – one loose and the other wrapped in plastic.
• Buy larger quantities at a time and share food with your housemates – you’ll save money at the same time, because about ten cents out of every dollar pays for packaging.  However, beware items packaged together that you could just buy individually without any packaging (bar soap for example).
• Choose items that will last longer and can be repaired.  Spending a bit more for good quality electronics, buying a razor and blades instead of many disposable ones, or using rechargeable batteries are just a few examples of how you can save money in the long run and waste less.
• Consider sharing infrequently used items, like hair dryers, instead of buying your own.
• Choose items high in post-consumer or recycled content – check your notebooks and looseleaf for school (and don’t forget to use both sides).  Trashbooks (available at the Earth Centre and the Used Book Store) are a great way to recycle!
• Consider the origin of the product – if it has been shipped from across the world rather than made in Canada, it will be responsible for much more carbon emission and pollution during its journey.

At the counter…let them know what’s on your mind

• Bring your own bag, or if you’ve forgotten them, at least try to minimise the number of bags you use.  If you’re just buying one thing, maybe you don’t even need a bag to carry it.
• Ask about green options at the store – this will make the operators aware that there is demand for green choices.
• Enquire about the air conditioning/heating – does it need to be so cold/warm or should the door be open in the summer if the air conditioning is on.

Where to shop

Look for alternative methods of finding what you need.  Use any chance you have to prevent the production of new goods when old ones will suffice (and fit a student budget!):

• Kingston freecycle – free items to a good home instead of the landfill – http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kingstonfreecycle/
• Facebook marketplace – http://queensu.facebook.com/marketplace
• Craigslist – online marketplace for everything from rides to furniture – http://kingston.craigslist.org
• Yard sales or free curbside items – all over town at the beginning and end of terms – just make sure the people are finished with the items before you take them
• Friends – try exchanging or borrowing clothes with friends for a change instead of buying new items

At Queen’s

• The Farmers’ Market at Queen’s is running again this year!  Dates to buy fresh local produce in campus are: Sept. 7, Sept. 19, Oct.17, Nov. 21, Jan.16, Feb. 27, and Mar. 26.  Watch out for updates on this great initiative at http://www.thefarmersmarketatqueens.com. Next, check out Queen’s Oxfam’s seasonal cookbook (part of their campaign on food security) at http://clubs.myams.org/oxfam/foodsecurity.html
• The Earth Centre – MacGillvary Brown Hall– Here people can meet, volunteer, have access to information material, purchase eco-friendly household and personal products, and learn about environmental programs and initiatives at Queen’s.
• The Green Room – Sells Trashbooks and supports local clothing artists

Around town

• Market Square – Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday fresh local foods and crafts are available.  The antique market runs on Sundays April-mid-October.
• American Apparel– 274 Princess – offers organic cotton (and sweatshop-free labour!)
• Karma Wear – 328 Princess – offers sustainable clothing options made from cotton, bamboo, soy and hemp!
• Ten Thousand Villages - 235 Princess – sells fairly traded items and some recycled/reconstructed products
• Body Shop – 238 Princess – Ethical and environmental beauty products
• Tara Naturals Foods – 88 Princess St. – Organic, vegan, bulk foods and environmental household products
• Bulk Barn – Kingston Cine Plaza 830 Norwest Rd  (Just off Princess St. by the Cat Centre) – all the bulk you can scoop!

Used items

• Turk’s – 281 Princess – offers used furniture, CDs, tapes, records, and books
• Modern Furniture – 262 Princess – also offers used furniture
• Just Hi Fi – 239 Princess – sells some used music equipment
• Alley Cat Antiques – Wellington St. Alleyway (between Princess and Queen) – sells used furniture (including groovy retro stuff) and clothing

Second hand bookshops

• Berry and Peterson Booksellers – 348 Princess
• Wayfarer Book Shop - 85 Princess
• The Book Shop – 122 Princess (lower level)

Second hand clothing stores

• Modern Era – 110 Princess – also offers designs by local artists including reconstructed clothing
• Army Surplus – 86 Princess
• What’ll I Wear? – 338 Princess
• Phase 2 - 353 Princess

Second hand music stores

• Zap Records – 340 Princess
• Brian’s Record Option 381 Princess
• Chumleigh’s – 346 Princess