THE GREEN MAYA PROJECT

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10 Steps to Becoming a Better Consumer

We all want to live a balanced life that helps protect and heal our planet, but often we don’t know where to start. Here are ten tips to get you on track toward becoming a conscious consumer. Every single person counts, know that your contributions do make a difference.

1.     Buy less stuff and spend more $ on experiences that last forever: Material objects deteriorate, go to landfills, and then we buy more stuff to replace our old belongings. Instead, put your money into experiences that will last a lifetime and add more value to your life.

2.     Decline all single-use plastics and unnecessary packaging: Bring your own bags, water bottle, and take out dishes. : Choose glass, carton, or compostable (not to be confused with biodegradable) dishes if you must. Stay away from Styrofoam ALWAYS!  

3.     Eat healthy, at least most of the time: You know that eating healthy is right for your body, but did you know that it’s also extremely beneficial for the planet? Eat more veggies and eat less meat and dairy. Choose food that is chemical and antibiotic-free, locally grown, and non-GMO. Avoid food from factories.  

4.     Use our natural resources responsibly: Water is a finite resource that is vital to life. Use it as if we might run out. The energy produced from coal, oil, and gas is also limited resources. Update your homes and offices for the highest efficiencies possible.

5.     Read labels, define all unknown ingredients: Sadly, the ingredients in a lot of the household and personal care products are toxic and harmful to your health. Understand the potential risks to you and your family.

6.     Shop local, support small businesses: More money stays in your community, making it a better place for you to live by creating jobs, enhancing diversity, reducing the carbon footprint, increasing real estate value, and building a strong network for local interests and laws.

7.     Get to know the owners of the businesses that you frequent: Find out who they are and what their intentions are. Know what important issues they support. Do they invest in their community? How do they treat their people? What are the environmental impacts of their business, and what are they doing to address them? Do they care about you?

8.   Purchase quality goods: Purchase products that are made from durable materials and equipment that can be repaired. Stay away from cheap fashion. Take the word “disposable” out of your vocabulary. 

9.     Use your voice: Your voice is the most valuable currency on earth. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask the employees how they feel working at the establishment. Ask other patrons or guests of the business to share their stories about their personal experiences of that business. Jump on message boards and online review sites. Be sure to leave your reviews as well.

10.   Vote with your money: For every dollar, peso (or insert your currency), that you spend, you are casting a vote. You are supporting the morals, ethics, business practices, and the environmental impact of that company. Voting with your $$ money has never been more critical.

P.S. The Green Maya Project gives a shit! We care about your health and well being. We care about the environment, equality for all, and about your children’s futures. You can trust that with every purchase, your money goes back into making our world a better place.

🙏

Many Blessings,

Sara Renshaw @ The Green Maya Project

P.S. Nature heals, mentally and physically.

We must get our daily dose of Nature. Keep your distance from others but step outside, feel the breeze, listen for the birds, smell the flowers, go for a nature discovery walk or sit under a tree with a good book and put your bare feet on the Earth.

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KNOWLEDGE IS POWER AND SHARING IS CARING.  

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