So if it's one thing my good friends know about me is I'm a socially concious shopper. I let myself eat fast food exactly twice a year (usually when I'm in the process of moving). I buy local whenever I can, which I'm trying to do as I start my business as well. And when I do have to buy something not-so-local, I try to make the socially or environmentally concious choice.
Case in point: The other day, I needed to buy toothpaste. Now I am a religious user of Tom's Of Maine. They are a 'local' company. They are socially and environmentally concious. They treat their employees well. I want to support that.
Meanwhile I was at one of my favorite salvage store and I saw a tube of Crest Pro-Health for $0.69. So I bought it.
Now here's my question: Is it better to buy socially and environmentally concious products new? Or is it better to buy things that would otherwise go in a landfill?
Pros To Buying Salvage
– Saving things from prematurely going into a landfill.
– Less expensive.
Pros To Buying Products with A Concience
– Supporting good companies.
– Products can often be healthier and/or safer.
What I'm wondering though is what is inherently better. I can't seem to find a good source online one way or the other, but I'm probably not searching the right keywords. What do you think?
You know, I go back and forth on this issue. At times when I feel really broke, I go for cheap as possible. Other times, when we have a bit more money (and time) I buy local. But we also eat out a lot, which we really, really shouldn’t as it isn’t local, sustainable or frugal!!
Wow, great question! Maybe a little of both? I can’t wait to hear what everyone else thinks.
I have often wondered this about stores like Ross, TJ Maxx, etc. I really do suspect that the availability of salvage stores and other “post-retail” outlets cushions the original manufacturers against financial losses and encourages them to overproduce products. That’s bad for the environment. But so is landfilling.
i think it’s six one, half dozen the other.
I wouldn’t go “frugal” on things like vegetables for instance. But as for toothpaste, which has no expiration date, getting it at Marden’s to me is a great buy.
One isn’t better than the other. They’re both good!
I ask this question to myself all the time.
I’ll shop at Goodwill, knowing that I’m giving items that otherwise would be thrown away new life, but then wonder if I should be looking for a fair-trade item instead. Then there’s the dilemma when “organic” and “local” don’t overlap-which is better?
For me, I choose local/salvage first, then fair trade/conscience. Most of the time, the two overlap, but it’s when they don’t that the dilemma appears. I’m glad you’re at least THINKING about it!