Consumer Action & Education

Consumer Action

As a consumer you can help drive product stewardship by making informed decisions about the products you purchase and the way you recycle or dispose of them. Here are some things to consider:

1. Stay informed.
   Consumers are bombarded with companies claiming to be "green," but how do you really know what's true? Don't be a victim of "greenwashing." Websites like Greener Choices by Consumer Reports , Greenpeace's Stop Greenwash , and Green Seal are reliable sources for information. You can also find tangible evidence just by looking at how products are made. Look for products that are made with recycled content or non-toxic ingredients and that are easily recyclable.
   

2. Reduce Your Packaging.
   Look for products that have reduced packaging or, if you must buy an over-packaged product, send a letter to the manufacturer and let them know you don't appreciate their wasteful packaging practices. Most consumer labels include a corporate address. And remember to bring reusable bags with you when you shop - you can reduce your own packaging waste, too!

3. Take advantage of Take-Back programs.
   Patronize companies that offer voluntary take-back programs for the products they sell, such as IKEA and Home Depot.

4. Ask for more take-back programs.
   When you buy a product, don't be afraid to ask the retailer to eventually take-it-back. If enough consumers request take-it-back programs, retailers and manufacturers will get the message and find ways to work together to make this happen. It really works! The Take Back the Filter campaign was instrumental in convincing Clorox to recycle Brita filters in the U.S. just like they do in Europe. This grassroots campaign was successful thanks to the efforts of thousands of involved consumers. See the Brita press release .

5. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
   We know you've heard it before, but remember that consumers share responsiblity for the products they buy and use, too. Do the right thing with a product: buy only what you need, try to use it up completely, give it to someone else who can use it, and when it's time to dispose of a product, be sure to first check with your local recycling program for recycling opportunities in your area.

6. Make smart choices and spend a little more.
   In these difficult economic times, every penny counts. But consider that purchase price is not the only cost of a product: there is a cost to dispose of a product, too. Companies do spend more to produce eco-friendly products, but it's worth it because we're creating products that are better for the environment and saving money by avoiding wasteful disposal at the end-of-life.

Action Items

Write a Letter

• Local elected officials
  Let your City Council or Board of Supervisors know that you support extended producer responsibility.
  

• Legislators
  Remember to vote with your pocketbook. Let your elected officials know that you support product stewardship and extended producer responsibility. Let them know what you think!
  

  If you don't know who your elected representative is, go to an interactive map of state Senate and Assembly districts that will pull up the contact information for your representatives.

  • Senate: Contact your Senator

  • Assembly: Contact your Assemblyperson
    

Buy Recycled

Recycle Store California Integrated Waste Management Board
Shop with the environment in mind: a directory of recycled content products.

Donate to CPSC

CPSC is a nonprofit, publicly supported organization. We are in need of donations, large and small, to support our work and progress for product stewardship. Funding us helps show your support for product stewardship.

Product-Specific Actions

• Safely Recycle Fluorescent Bulbs and Tubes
  The following companies are leading the charge toward corporate responsibility:
  

  • Home Depot
    Home Depot accepts fluorescent compact bulbs. CPSC strongly recommends that consumers urge them to accept fluorescent tubes, also.
    
    
  • IKEA
    

• Recycle Rechargeable Batteries
  Check out our battery product page for more information.
  

• Recycle Mercury Thermostats
  The Mercury Thermostat Recycling Corporation maintains a list of wholesalers that accept mercury thermostats free of charge in your state.
  

• Trade in Old Electronics at Office Depot
  Get money back when you trade in old electronics, including LCD monitors, LCD TVs, digital cameras, desktop and laptop computers and more!
  

Recycle, recycle, recycle!

• Earth 911 is a great resource to find a recycling or reuse location near you.

Consumer Education

Consumers have a huge stake in the future of product stewardship. Your purchasing decisions can help drive innovative product design and encourage producers to take responsibility for the products they create and sell for profit. Information on this page will help you make informed decisions about the products you buy. Remember to vote with your dollars!

• The Story of Stuff Video (20 minutes)
  This is a powerful and entertaining introduction by Annie Leonard to the over-production, over-consumption and over-wasting inherent in our global economy. It describes the roles of government and corporations, and the effects on everyone.
  

• The Secret Life of Paper Video (5 minutes)
  Learn how paper production is related to forest destruction and global warming, and why recycling and buying recycled paper are important.
  

• The Secret Life of Cell Phones Video (5 minutes)
  See where old cell phones and mobile devices go when you recycle them and why you should recycle them.
  

• Batteries Not Included Video
  

• Fluorescent bulbs
  Listen to Dr. Wilkes, Professor of Medicine and Vice Dean for Medical Education at UC Davis, talk about the hazards of fluorescent bulbs and why the public hasn't been informed.
  [Flash player] [MP3] Audeo (3 minutes)

• Electronic waste
  Is e-waste harming our children? Story from Huffington Post 8/25/08