Being a Global Change Savvy Consumer   
 EVERYDAY USE PRODUCTS

If you choose this category to investigate, you could explore consumer choices for products we use every day, around the home, dorm, etc. such as paper products, lighting, cleaning products, etc.  These products can impact global change on the planet through:  the energy they consume while in use, how they are manufactured, the materials from which they are made (recycled or post-consumer), and whether they can be recycled themselves. 

If you want to recommend a consumer choice or product based on the question you pose or criteria that you devise here are some suggestions:

  • PAPER PRODUCTS - Paper products are used everywhere in our daily lives.  The original source of all paper products is trees, so they are linked to global change via "carbon reservoirs," photosynthesis, respiration, deforestation, etc. 

    Things to think about re: paper products:  What's the availability of recycled paper products?  Are the products as good as "virgin" products?  Are they more expensive? For this I-4 activity, you could pick a product type like computer paper, paper towels, toilet paper, etc. and compare different brands based on criteria such as:  cost differences, whether product is from virgin or recycled raw materials, if recycled, what is it's % of post-consumer paper material, what is the product's availability (i;e;, can you find recycled paper products in  mainstream retail stores or must you seek them out in specialty "green" stores or online).  The "Wood Wise Consumer Guide" linked below is a good place to begin to learn about options for this line of products.
     

  • LIGHTING - as you learned in the Kilowatt Ours film, replacing regular incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFL's) is one of the easiest "feel good" investments any of us can make in our everyday lives.  Not too long ago these were hard to find, but now they are everywhere from "big box" home improvement stores to drugstores.  But are they all alike?  And are there other options out there?  Halogene, LED's etc.?

    Things to think about re: lighting.  What trade-offs are there in using CFL's?  What should you do with your old bulbs?  Are there any environmental problems in disposing or recycling CFL's?   How do they compare in cost?  Are any of them manufactured in the U.S.?  Do they illuminate as well as regular bulbs?  Are there different lighting modes? (full spectrum, warm lighting, cool lighting, etc.)
     

  • RECYCLING -- Which home or everyday-use products are recyclable, which aren't?  Does it cost more to buy products that are recyclable (e.g., certain plastics, etc.) For this consumer comparison you could compare the costs within the same line of products -- some model items that are recycled or recyclable and others that aren't.  Does it cost more to buy materials that are recycled or recyclable??

DATA & INFORMATION COLLECTION

Spend some extended time scanning through the LINKS below to see what kind of data and information are available on the web to help you decide what kind of food rating you want to do: 
  SOME LINKS for CONNECTING EVERYDAY USE PRODUCTS & GLOBAL CHANGE 

 

BONUS POINT OPPORTUNITY:  Visit a landfill or recycling plant and ask questions or go on a tour to learn about which kinds of products end of in great abundance in landfills or which types of products can be easily recycled.  

Then document and explain what you did in a report, slide or video  about what (if anything) you learned by talking with those working in the industry.  [NOTE:  this bonus activity may be done with one or more other students in the class.  Each student needs to write up his/her OWN unique message and post it. If you worked with others, be sure you list their name(s).]
                      


  SOME LINKS for CONNECTING EVERYDAY-USE PRODUCTS & GLOBAL CHANGE -- There are many other websites addressing these topics -- use these as a starting place!

Paper

Lightbulbs

 

 

  Recycling & Recycling with a Twist