If you’re into green living, you’ve probably heard of Freegans, people who scour their communities in search of free household items like clothing, appliances, and even food that have been discarded by retailers and individuals.  Freegans reject consumerism, reduce waste, reuse, and recycle by creating a lifestyle that is entirely self-sustained by the hunting of free goods.  The act of sorting through discarded items in dumpsters or elsewhere is sometimes referred to as “urban foraging”.

Although it may be considered an extreme green lifestyle by some, I think there’s an important point to be raised by the Freegan philosophy.  Instead of throwing away your old clothes, appliances, books, or magazines, why not recycle them by giving them away? If you can’t find someone who needs your items, contact a local church, women’s shelter, or organizations such Goodwill and Salvation Army.  Not only will you be reusing and recycling, you’ll be helping those less fortunate.  Also, check out Freecycle, an organization of community groups for giving away useful items you no longer need. Photo:  Wikipedia.

Your weekly trip to the supermarket can be a strategic part of a green lifestyle if you plan ahead. Here are a few ideas for green grocery shopping.

Avoid single serving packages: If you’re trying to shop green and reduce waste, avoid food and drinks in single serving sizes. These items cost more and require more packaging materials. When grocery shopping, purchase the largest package of the item you need, and then divide it up into reusable containers when you get home.

Choose items you can recycle: A big part of any green home is recycling. However, all of us at one time or another have been stuck with a package or box that isn’t recyclable. Before leaving for a day of green shopping, make a list of the types of materials you know you can recycle, and look for food in packages made from those materials. By planning ahead, you’ll avoid being stuck with an empty package that cannot be recycled.

Skip the bottled water: Plastic water bottles are a growing environmental problem. Producing and transporting them requires serious fuel consumption, and they’re filling up our landfills. Instead of buying bottled water, invest in a water filtration pitcher and stainless steel water bottles to avoid the waste and expense of plastic.