We, the people, love to shop. But on average, just sixth months after purchasing consumer goods just one percent remains. It’s true: 99 percent of goods bought by Americans is in the dump half a year later. Food, light bulbs, packaging, clothes, electronics – due to “planned obsolescence” and “perceived obsolescence” sooner or later all the products we buy go back into the ground to begin a much longer life of disuse, decay, and toxin emission.  

A sustainable approach to this problem is, of course, to break out of this cycle. But sustainability is a two-way street: we should produce and live off of only what we need and yet not pull the rug out from under the systems already in place. Luckily, an increased number of groups recognize the role of the consumer economy in the US and still realize the desperate need to break the cycle of production and waste, which violates the environment, fair trade, and even our own happiness as consumers. If shopping really makes everyone happy, then why do we live in Prozac Nation?

Well, don’t run for the bottle yet. You don’t even need to run for the off-grid hills. There is a way to participate in mainstream culture without creating waste – in fact, it meansconsuming waste. A number of companies are selling recycled fashion, accessories and home goods in response to the earth in crisis. Furthermore, the concepts of fair trade and organics are becoming more mainstream as consumers begin to realize the human and health consequences of their purchases. Here are some ways that we ourselves can go post consumer waste.

Bag it up

You re-use your plastic bags and carry your groceries in canvas totes. Great! Now try wearing your plastic bags loud and proud. Green crafters are figuring out ways to crochet plastic shopping bags into durable, washable, fashionable sacks. Crafty types can actually design and make their own bags by following these fairly simple directions. Since plastic shopping bags take about a billion years to decompose, these creations are sturdy enough to carry a laptop. And depending on the color selection at your local supermarket, bags can be designed in earthy brown, sea glass green, or simple white with ribbons weaved in.

For those who don’t-do-it-yourself, the green fashion industry has come out with scores of styles of bags made out of recycled inner tubes, newspapers, billboards, and gum wrappers.English Retreads proves that eco fashion doesn’t have to mean hemp and patchouli. This company takes used bicycle tire inner tubes and turns them into purses and bags that actually look like sleek black leather. Not only that, but English Retreads prides itself on recycled, animal-free products in production and distribution, fair wages and conditions, and it doesn’t offshore its work. Bags start around $60.

Melt it down

According to Alkemie, a jeweler that creates its pieces from reclaimed gold, the mining industry is the second largest contributor to greenhouse gases. Their designs combine the delicate and the funky, like Alkemie bracelet or necklace with gold leaves which combines a light, pretty gold design with the edginess of leather.

Designer recycled fashion wears a price tag, but green fashionistas advocate opening up minds and dumpsters to find the beauty within. Jewelry artist Linsy Carranza designs gorgeous jewelry out of Scrabble tiles, and Felicia Singkang creates classy rings out of vintage buttons. Neat designs like these can be made at the kitchen table with some wire, glue, and a good idea.

Roll it out

One minute you’re drinking from it, the next you’re sitting on it? Well, not so fast, but one of the coolest trends in eco décor is the recycled soda bottle rug. These rugs, which come in gorgeous oriental patterns and are perfect for patios, decks, and tile floors, are comfortable and washable and 100 percent PCW. 4×6 sized doormats are priced at just $32.95 onwww.goodcommonsense.net, with the 5×8 size at $70 and the 6×9 at $80. Similar rugs are available through eco-friendly outfitters at comparable prices.

As if a recycled rug weren’t enough, soda bottles are getting a second life in clothing, too. Perhaps best of all is the recycled soda bottle suit from Israeli-based Bagir. The ECOGIR Recycled suit is made from 100 percent PCW from discarded PET bottles. Bagir also sells the ECOGIR Oganic suit, made of organic cotton, bamboo and ecologically-harvested Tagua nuts for buttons, and the ECOGIR hybrid, made of 55 percent PCW.

For more ideas and products, check out http://www.recycle2art.com/ to turn trash into treasure and http://www.econsciousmarket.com/site/ where “giving is the new getting.”

Whether you are building a new home or simply trying to improve the home you already have, here are some tips that will help you “go green” in every room.

All Through the House

The most important step you can take to make your home more earth-friendly is to save energy. Did you know that much of the energy you pay for is not actually used? Instead, it leaks out through windows, doors, and even walls and ceilings if they don’t have adequate insulation. Just imagine what that does to your utility bill! According to the US Department of Energy, only 20% of homes built before 1980 are adequately insulated. If yours is older, you probably need to get it reinsulated. Energy efficient windows are also an excellent idea. If you can’t afford to replace them, at least re-caulk them to keep air from seeping out through the cracks. These simple changes will create a win-win situation for you, your pocketbook and the planet. For the same reasons, don’t skimp on the insulation if you are building a house from scratch.

If you are building a home, also ask the builder if it’s possible to orient the windows so that they take advantage of winter sunlight to save on heating. If he or she doesn’t know what you’re talking about, get a new builder. Efficient design means your home will take less energy to heat and cool. Ideally, windows and window treatments such as blinds and curtains can be used to your advantage, letting heat in when it’s cold and shutting the sun out when it’s hot.

Also, watch out for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde, benzene and toulene. Carpets, paints and wood cabinets can all emit VOCS into the air you and your family breathe for years after they are installed. Fortunately, VOC-free paints and carpeting are available.

The Living Room

The modern living room is becoming one of the biggest energy hogs in the whole house. Home theater systems and other appliances can suck power, even when they are not being used. To stop the energy drain, unplug them, or use a power strip to turn them off completely.

Also, get a ceiling fan to help air circulate-you’ll save energy no matter what season it is.

The Bathroom

Yes, you can green your john. For starters, when it comes to a flushing toilet, Americans tend to believe that “bigger is better.” We want to hear whitewater rapids whenever we pull the lever, but it really isn’t necessary to waste that much water. Try a low-flush or dual-flush toilet instead. For an even more environmentally-friendly toilet experience, get a composting toilet. They don’t waste any water, they produce lovely compost for your garden, and unlike the smelly toilets you might remember from childhood trips to the beach, the new models are hygienic and odor-free. Although still a novelty, they are becoming more popular. Models by BioLet are even available at Home Depot!

The Kitchen

To create an energy-efficient kitchen that you’ll enjoy cooking in, make sure that the area includes as many windows as possible. During the day, sunlight will provide free natural light. As you cook, open the windows to vent cooking fumes in the most energy-efficient way possible.

To cut down on the amount of trash you produce, make space for recycling and composting. If you don’t like the idea of carrying out compostables to the backyard, a kitchen worm bin or composter can make salvaging food scraps a little bit more convenient.

Also, go for flooring made from renewable resources, such as bamboo or Forest Stewardship Certified wood.  Wood floors have the added benefit of being easy to clean without toxic cleaning products that can escape into the environment-and the air you breathe!

The Bedroom

In the bedroom, energy use can once again be addressed as described above. For bedding, wool or down comforters make an excellent choice that can help keep you snug even with the thermostat turned down during the winter. In summer, breathable combed organic cotton keeps you cool and absorbs perspiration, again reducing the amount of energy you’ll need to stay comfortable.