The lowest-waste product is usually the one you do not buy. The next best is the one you will still be using years from now. This short checklist is designed to be run through in a minute before you pay.
Why reduce first
Recycling helps, but it does not catch most plastic. The US Environmental Protection Agency estimated the plastics recycling rate at 8.7 percent in 2018, the most recent year in its published figures. Buying less, and reusing what you have, avoids the problem earlier.
The five questions
- Do I already own something that does this job? Borrowing, repairing or repurposing counts.
- What is it made of? Look for named materials rather than general claims.
- Can it be repaired, refilled or have parts replaced? Spare lids, heads and seals extend a product’s life.
- What happens at the end of its life? Can it be reused, passed on, recycled locally or composted?
- Will I still want this in a few years? If not, wait.
The two-week pause
For anything that is not urgent, write it down and wait two weeks. If you still want it, and it passes the five questions, buy it. Many impulse purchases do not survive the pause.
How to read green claims
Words such as “eco-friendly”, “green” and “natural” have no fixed meaning. More useful signs are:
- Specific materials, for example “borosilicate glass body, bamboo lid, silicone seal”.
- Recognised third-party schemes relevant to the product, such as FSC for wood and paper or GOTS for organic textiles. Check that the claim names the scheme rather than just showing a leaf.
- Clear care and end-of-life instructions.
When buying is the right call
Replacing something that is broken, or buying a reusable item you will genuinely use every week, is a good purchase. The aim is fewer, better decisions, not guilt.
Next step: rank your own buying priorities with the Shopping Priorities Ranker, or browse our product-type guides.
Sources and further reading
- Plastics: Material-Specific Data, US Environmental Protection Agency.
