Products must be:
- Affordable -- I'm willing to pay extra for products that are gentler to the environment, but not a lot extra. It varies by product, but I'd say my maximum is about 20% more than conventional brands.
- Effective -- I'll buy a product once, but if it doesn't work I won't buy it again instead of a conventional product just because it's eco friendly. What's the point of buying laundry soap that doesn't clean clothes or shampoo that leaves my hair looking like straw?
- Available locally -- I used to order a few products online, but (a) I was spending a ton of money on shipping, and (b) the whole shipping process must negate some of the environmental benefits of the product. I was incredibly pleased to discover that I can buy Mrs. Meyer's, Seventh Generation, and many other eco brands (some I've heard of and some I haven't) at my local grocery store, at Target, and at Bed, Bath & Beyond, so I've stopped ordering products online.
- Necessary -- This is two-pronged: I have to use up the product I previously bought if it's effective (being wasteful isn't good for the environment, either) and I have to really need the product (stainless steel surface cleaner is neat, for example, but is it really necessary? I bought some, then realized that it's not... for me, at least. Lesson learned.).
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