Be sure to carry reusable bags to the store, examine the packaging materials of the product you’re purchasing, and look for the fair-trade label when purchasing items such as coffee, tea, chocolate and fruits. According to Co-op America, around 33% of trash in the average American household comes from packaging. According to the Center for a New American Dream, an estimated 8 billion pounds of plastic bags, wraps and sacks enter the waste stream every year in the U.S. and an estimated 12 million barrels of oil is required to support the annual consumption of plastic bags in the U.S.

For more information on how to buy wisely visit:
www.newdream.org/buy www.coopamerica.org