Never Buy Again

According to Co-op America, here are the top 5 things you should never buy again...

1. Styrofoam cups
 - Styrofoam is forever. It's not biodegradable.
 Alternative: Buy recyclable and compostable paper cups. 
Best option: Invest in some reusable mugs that you can take with you.

2. Paper towels - 
Paper towels waste forest resources, landfill space, and your money.
 Alternative: When you do buy paper towels, look for recycled, non-bleached products. Search for recycled paper products. Best option: Buy dishtowels or rags to wash and reuse.

3. Bleached coffee filters
 - Dioxins, chemicals formed during the chlorine bleaching process, contaminate groundwater and air and are linked to cancer in humans and animals.
 Alternative: Look for unbleached paper filters.
Best Option: Use reusable filters such as washable cloth filters.

4. Overpackaged foods and other products
 - Excess packaging wastes resources and costs you much more. Around thirty three percent of trash in the average American household comes from packaging.
Alternative: Buy products with minimal or reusable packaging.
Best Option: Buy in bulk and use your own containers when shopping.

5. Teak and mahogany
 - Every year, 27 million acres of tropical rainforest (an area the size of Ohio) are destroyed. Rainforests cover 6% of Earth’s surface and are home to over half of the world’s wild plant, animal, and insect species. The Amazon rainforest produces 40 percent of the world’s oxygen. 
Alternative: Look for Forest Stewardship Council certified wood.
Best Option: Reuse wood, and buy furniture and other products made from used or salvaged wood.

Here are some other things you should never buy again. Click here for reasons why & their alternatives.

-Chemical pesticides and herbicides

-Conventional household cleaners 

-Higher octane gas than you need

-Toys made with PVC plastic

-Plastic forks and spoons
-Farm raised salmon.
-Rayon.
-Beauty/Body Care with Phthalates and Parabens.
-Cling Wrap.
-High VOC Paints and Finishes.