BE A CONSCIOUS CONSUMER!

BUYING GUIDE

BUY LESS

BUY LOCAL

BUY FOR SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

  • B CORPORATIONS

  • OTHER BUSINESSES THAT MEET SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS

  • BUSINESSES THAT MEET AN ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARD

  • BUSINESSES THAT MEET A SOCIAL STANDARD

BUY LESS

Instead of buying: reuse, repair, or borrow things.

Shop at thrift stores (e.g. Goodwill, Woods and Waters Gear Exchange), consignment shops, yard sales, Facebook Marketplace for used items and clothes. In Brunswick see the Brunswick Resale Trail

The Buy Nothing Project - Join a local Buy Nothing group to freely give and get things from people in your local community. Use the app, or click on “find your community” under “community” and scroll down to the U.S., Maine to find a local group.

Freecycle - Topsham Group:  Give and get stuff for free.  Find a local group HERE

GoGo Refill – Home and body products in refillable containers, plastic-free and reusable products.   At stores in Brunswick and South Portland, and online.

Support companies that promote buying less, repairing, recycling.  For example, Patagonia.   Buy used from Patagonia at Worn Wear

Repair cafes - Worldwide movement to reduce waste by repairing things.  Curtis Library is hosting local repair cafes. 

Curtis Library -  Library of Things:  Borrow things at the library!  Check to see if your library offers this. 

Instead of buying: give gifts:

  • Of your time (e.g., coupons for babysitting, chores, other assistance)

  • Of experiences (e.g., tickets to a concert, show, meals out, trips)

  • Of things you’ve made (food, drinks, crafts, handwork)

  • Of donations to organizations or causes

BUY LOCAL

Buy from locally owned businesses and local producers:

Buy local food:

Real Maine - Ways to purchase local food and  products that include farmers’ markets, farm stands, farm stores, community supported agriculture (CSAs), and much more

Shop Maine -  Maine local businesses that offer online shopping

Look for fairs (craft, community, holiday) featuring local producers

Shop at downtown businesses.  Downtown gift cards available for

BUY FROM B CORPORATIONS

Businesses independently certified to meet rigorous standards for social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

The B Corp Directory

The Maine B Corps website

B Corp Gift Guides

Do you know of a B corporation you like? Share your recommendation HERE

See recommended B corps HERE

BUY FROM OTHER BUSINESSES THAT MEET SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS

Fair Trade

Green Pages -“Certified Green” Businesses in the Green Business Network from Green America. Healthy, ethical, green products and services from socially responsible businesses.

Earth Hero – an alternative to Amazon - offers sustainable products assessed by a 5-Pillar Sourcing Methodology.

Done Good – Sells brands that pay good wages and use eco friendly practices

BUY FROM BUSINESSES THAT MEET AN ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARD

Organic food – agricultural products produced according to USDA organic standards

1% for the Planet – businesses and individuals that donate 1% of annual sales or salary to environmental causes:  Search for participating businesses by location here

Maine Businesses On the Pathway to 100% Clean Energy

Green Seal certified directory

Overview of green certifications for buildings (e.g. LEED), businesses (e.g. ISO14001), products (e.g. Energy Star), and food (e.g. organic) - from the Green Business Bureau

Life Without Plastic -  Find alternatives to plastic products

BUY FROM BUSINESSES THAT MEET A SOCIAL STANDARD

Union made products and services:

Employee owned companies:

Coops –Jointly owned, democratically controlled enterprises –

Best Places to Work (primarily  based on surveys of employees)

Black-owned business directories

Asian Owned Southern Maine

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KNOW ANOTHER RESOURCE YOU FIND USEFUL?  LET US KNOW!