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The first step, of course, is to ask "Do I really need this?" If you answer affirmatively, the second step is to ask "Can I get it locally, produced by local people?" If you answer negatively, then consider these Internet sources for green purchases. For some perspective on Internet buying, see the recent "E-commerce: friend or foe of the environment?" article at http://www.enn.com/features/2000/12/12112000/ecommerce_40648.asp.
Aubrey Organics: Aubrey Organics has been a premier producer of natural and organic body-care products for over 30 years. Products are naturally preserved with citrus seed-extract and vitamins A, C and E, and are environmentally safer because they don't introduce synthetic chemicals into the air, land or water.
Beneficial Ts: Organic cotton T-shirt blanks and screen printing.
The Body Shop: The Body Shop International is a values-driven, high-quality skin and hair care retailer, famous for creating an entire market sector for naturally-based products with minimal packaging.
Co-op America's Green Pages Online: The Green Pages is the online version of Co-op America's popular National Green Pages directory of thousands of socially and environmentally responsible businesses, products and services. You'll find special offers and discounts on products you need every day. And there are information and tips on "green shopping" and how to support companies which do well by doing good.
Earthbound Farm: Earthbound Farm is the country’s largest grower of certified organic produce, supplying the finest organic salads, fruits and vegetables year-round. Our mission is to grow delicious food in a way that respects the complex and subtle balance of our ecosystems.
Green Mountain Energy: We are the nation's leading brand of electricity for residential customers featuring renewable resources like wind, water, and geothermal. We began supplying cleaner electricity to California in April 1998, Pennsylvania in January 1999, and New Jersey in June 2000, and plan to expand nationwide as deregulation spreads. Approximately 100,000 people have already switched to Green Mountain Energy!
Global Exchange Fair Trade Store: Fair Trade works to promote economic, social and environmental justice worldwide. Artisans are paid fairly for their products and earnings are reinvested in community projects such as health clinics, child care, education and literacy training. Fair Trade also means that workers learn important leadership and organizing skills, safe and healthy working conditions are maintained, and producers gain greater control and decision making power over the use of their local resources. By purchasing Fair Trade crafts and coffee from small producer groups and farming collectives, our sales generate desperately needed income for communities and individuals in some of the most impoverished areas of the world. Your purchase supports a new standard of trade - ensuring fair wages, respect of worker's rights, and no use of child labor - for artisans living all around the globe!
Patagonia: The only outdoor equipment company to use exclusively organic cotton and commonly PCR (post consumer recycled) polyester in its clothing.
Real Goods: Real Goods is the pioneer company promoting renewable energy. Real Goods sells a broad range of energy and conservation products through its catalogs and retail stores. The Real Goods Institute for Solar Living is a nonprofit offering workshops dedicated to all aspects of self-sufficiency and sustainable lifestyles.
Sustainability Source: The most comprehensive source for socially and environmentally screened products and services.
Working Assets Long Distance: Working Assets makes it easy for busy people to support causes they care about. Through our credit card and long distance services customers can generate donations for progressive nonprofit groups just by doing what they do every day. Best of all, it does not cost a penny more.
PC Recycling
On a related topic, green getting-rid-of (where is away?): IBM has established a PC recycling program where PCs are either recycled or donated to international program. It costs $30, shipping included. For more information, see http://www.ibm.com/ibm/environment/products/pcrservice.phtml.
Investing
We aren't aware of any mutual funds that specifically target environmental responsibility, but all the socially responsible funds include a criteria or screen for environmental responsibility.
SocialFunds.com: Welcome to SocialFunds.com, the Internet's most comprehensive personal finance site devoted to socially responsible investing. We offer complete coverage of social mutual funds, community investment, shareholder action. We also provide daily news and investment advice.
Domini Social Investments: By using ethical guidelines to choose our investments, and by raising issues of social concern with the companies we own, social investors are redefining corporate America's bottom line.
Calvert Group Mutual Funds: Known for offering the largest family of socially-screened mutual funds as well as award winning tax-free investment products, Calvert Group, Ltd. has quickly evolved from a single-fund management company in 1976 to become one of the Washington D.C. area's largest mutual fund management firms with approximately $6.7 billion in assets under management for over 200,000 investors.
