I'd like to be using more green products, why are they so expensive?

Question

I do use recycled paper, notebooks and household paper products; I bought the energy saving lightbulbs when on sale, and always try to buy products with packaging that say 'made with recycled materials'--but much more I just can't afford.

Answer 1

I agree. I find getting back to the basics is really the true "green" approach. Making your own cleaners, cooking from scratch, buying local, hanging you clothes to dry, using cloth (napkins, diapers, etc) instead of paper will save you $ and help the environment. Now that "green" has gone mainstream advertisers are trying to convince you that you need to spend a lot of $ to be environmentally concious. This may be true for the bigger items (solar panels, new appliances, hybrid cars) but there are many smaller changes that you can make that help too.

Answer 2

I have been using products that are more eco friendly for a while now. I recently became a customer of a product line called Mellaluca. It is somewhat like a buying club but with better for you and the earth products. The products are very concentrated and are the best you can buy. The costs are very similar to the brand name products sold by Proctor and Gamble, Johnson and Johnson and Palmolive, so the prices are extremely competitive.Till the end of the month you can join for only 14.50 That's 1/2 off the regular joining price. It also pays you back for shopping! Your local retail store doesn't do that. If you would like more info, email me. it doesn't matter where you live. I love the response from the person for all the homemade products! If I had more time I would making my own too. Keep on keeping green. Every little bit helps. Summer

Answer 3

A lot does have to do with newer technologies as it is becoming more "popular" to move towards a more green lifestyle. The more people that do and the more products that are out there and developed, the faster prices will drop on some items.

Some things like CFL's, are going to be more expensive initially to buy, but the monetary savings come throughout the life of the bulb. You save a great deal in electrical costs as well as the fact that these last much longer than ordinary incandescent bulbs so you aren't replacing them nearly as frequently.

I think that there are some other green products that are just going to probably remain more expensive than their less Earth-friendly brethren and sometimes, if you really want to, you just have to bite the bullet on some of these (or not). These will be more the case of going a little further out of the way in "helping the cause".

Answer 4

They're just starting out on the market - that's why.

You've got a good start on buying green. Watch sales and coupons to buy individual products.

Make some cleaners and such yourself. Then you won't have to pay outrageous prices for green cleaners.

Buy in bulk as much as you can and you'll save on the packaging in general. Buy reusable containers and you'll cut down a lot more on packaging - saving much more than the manufacturers will ever recycle in packaging!

I try to stick buy those rules and I've been able to afford to be green on my very small salary. Some of them are the same as being frugal, but in my mind, its totally worth it!

Answer 5

Instead of buying Paper Towels and napkins, SWITCH to Kitchen Towles & cloth napkins... the savings in HUGE over the course of a year
----- I use Toilet Paper... but I don't use Paper Napkins, Paper Towels, Paper or plastic dishes, etc...

Use "Home-Made Cleaners" -- Trust me.. this is a Green as you can get & saves A LOT OF MONEY!!!
What you need: Octagon Soap (less than $1), Hydrogen Peroxide (less than $1), Huge Jug of Vinegar (@ $3), Large Box Baking Soda ($2), Large Box of Borax ($3), Table Salt (less than $1)... and water
With these products you can make:
Your own laudry detergent
Your own stain treatment
Your own linoluem or tile floor cleaner
Your own bathroom cleaner
Your own scrubbing cleaner
Your own window cleaner

If you add Lemon Juice (less than $1) and Corn Oil (@ 2) then you also have the makings of cleaner for hardwood floors

If you also get Fels Naptha Soap (hard to find) (@ $2) then you have a treatemetn for mold, mildew, and fungus.... great for organic gardening

Line-dry clothing instead of tumble-dry -- MUCH GREEN & YOU SAVE MONEY

Answer 6

I just started using some new GREEN products that are "cheaper " than there grocery store counter parts. Concentration is the key. You'll have to mix some of them to clean with but you get everything you need to do it. I got started with a kit that ran about $130 but it replaces everything I typical used from house hold cleaners to the laundry By purchase the Starter Kit I also make a positive impact on the planet:

* Eliminating 108 pounds of packaging waste from landfills.
* Eliminating 248 pounds of greenhouse gas.
* It’s the equivalent of planting 10 trees.

It came with over 25 products and replaces about $3,400 worth of equivalent products.

GREEN cleaners don't have to cost more.

Answer 7

If they were cheap, they wouldn't need a special gimmick to sell them. I am sure there are many regular products that would be considered green, but since they are not more expensive than the competition, they don't need to give you a reason to pay more. Maybe cotton towels or whatever. Would a cotton towel be considered green? Made from a natural fiber and reusable.

Answer 8

Why are you paying almost $4 for a gallon of gas for your car? Well, truck drivers have to buy fuel also. Raise their fuel prices and your grocery costs, be it greens or any product, will also go up.
And the crop dusters which spray the fields, "ditto". And the farmers tractor and farm equipment, "ditto". But don't worry, at least the petroleum companies are making a profit.

Answer 9

a couple way you can shop greener on the cheap:

1. buy products with LESS packaging. all that packaging, reyclable or not, takes energy to produce.

2. read the ingredients on cleaning products if they are available. often times the phosphorus content is printed on bottles of dish soap, detergent, etc. buy the one with the LEAST ammount of phosphate.

3.go to the service desk at your local grocery store and tell them you would like to see more organic and green choices. if enough people tell them they will listen.

Answer 10

I totally agree! I could do so much more if many of the products weren't so expensive so I feel your pain! I am replacing light bulbs as they burn out and I do recycle. I just have to say to myself that my "baby steps" are making a difference. Enjoy your day!