Sustainable Consumerism sounds like an oxymoron… but buying certified products makes good social, economic and ecological sense. It cuts out intermediary buyers and guarantees small producers prices that exceed their production costs. It also helps protect the environment. Purchase items that benefit the environment and producers in developing countries – how and where you spend your money matters!

GREEN SEAL
Green Seal is an independent, non-profit organization that strives to achieve a healthier and cleaner environment by identifying and promoting products and services that cause less toxic pollution and waste, conserve resources and habitats, and minimize global warming and ozone depletion. Check out Green Seal’s recommendations for environmentally preferable products, from office furniture to carpet, paper products, particleboard and air conditioning.
Green Seal > Product Recommendations
http://www.greenseal.org/findaproduct/index.cfm

Fair Trade Purchasing

• A GREATER GIFT
  A Greater Gift is a nonprofit program of SERRV International. They promote the social and economic progress of people in developing regions of the world by marketing their handcrafts and foods in a just and direct manner. From fairly traded garden and patio accessories to clothing and chocolate, A Greater Gift has it all.
  A Greater Gift > Get Involved > Sell Through Your Store
  http://www.agreatergift.org/default.aspx
• CENTER FOR A NEW AMERICAN DREAM
  The Center for A New American Dream (CNAD) advocates responsible consumption to protect the environment, enhance quality of life, and promote social justice. Check out the Conscious Consumer Marketplace for links to online and local sources for environmentally and socially responsible goods and services — from coffee to paper to energy for your home.
  Center for a New American Dream > Buy Wisely > Conscious Consumer > Marketplace
  http://www.newdream.org/consumer/marketplace.php
• CO-OP AMERICA
  Co-op America is a not-for-profit membership organization founded in 1982 to harness economic power-the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace-to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. Become a member and get access to Co-op America’s national directory of screened and approved green businesses.
  Co-op America > Publications > National Green Pages
  http://www.coopamerica.org/pubs/greenpages/
• FAIR TRADE FEDERATION
  The Fair Trade Federation (FTF) is an association of fair trade wholesalers, retailers, and producers whose members are committed to providing fair wages and good employment opportunities to economically disadvantaged artisans and farmers worldwide. Check out the online catalogue of FTF’s retailers.
  Fair Trade Federation > Shopping & Sales
  http://www.fairtradefederation.com/mshop.html
• INTERNATIONAL FAIR TRADE ASSOCIATION
  The International Fair Trade Association (IFAT) is the international network of Fair Trade organizations. Find suppliers of Fair Trade clothing and textile, coffee, tea, chocolate and handcrafts.
  Downloads, Library & Links > Links & Further Reading > Fair Trade Goods
  http://www.ifat.org/furtherreading/libraryftgoods.shtml
• NORTHWEST SHADE COFFEE CAMPAIGN
  The Northwest Shade Coffee Campaign educates about the connection between coffee, trade and birds. Find out where you can buy shade grown coffee in your community.
  Northwest Shade Coffee Campaign > Where To Buy?
  http://www.seattleaudubon.org/shadecoffee/wherebuy/wherebuy.asp
• PROJECT PEARL
  Project PEARL-Partnership to Enhance Agriculture in Rwanda through Linkages-is the purest application of the land-grant tradition of partnership, practical application and research. It’s also personal stories of perseverance, of vision and of triumph. Rwanda Coffee is proud to bear the Fair Trade label.
  http://special.newsroom.msu.edu/rwandacoffee/
  http://shop.msu.edu
• TRANSFAIR USA
  TransFair USA, a nonprofit organization, is one of nineteen members of Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO), and the only third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States. Find out where to buy Fair Trade products online, in your community and which stores carry Fair Trade products.
  TransFair USA > Shop
  http://www.transfairusa.org/content/shop/index.php

Wood and Certification

• DOGWOOD ALLIANCE
  Dogwood Alliance is a growing regional network working to protect Southern forests and communities by engendering broad-based, diverse support for ending unsustainable industrial forest practices. Visit here for lists of paper product suppliers, of tree-free paper suppliers, of green wood products, including recycled and salvaged lumber, alternative materials, and “sustainable lumber”.
  Dogwood Alliance > Resources > Green Purchasing
  http://www.dogwoodalliance.org/action/grnPurch.php
• FOREST CERTIFICATION RESOURCE CENTER (FCRC)
  The Forest Certification Resource Center (FCRC) provides comprehensive, objective information about forest management, forest certification and responsible wood and paper purchasing. The Forest Certification Resource Center search tool enables users to navigate Metafore’s in-depth forest certification database. More than 800 certified forests and 4,500 certified business locations worldwide are within this database. This is a convenient way to find certified wood and paper suppliers by product and location. Be sure to select “FSC” in the field for “certification program.” Metafore > Certified Products
  http://www.certifiedwoodsearch.org/searchproducts.aspx
• FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL
  Founded in 1993, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a global, non-profit organization that promotes environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world’s forests through the process of forest certification. FSC standards represent the world’s strongest system for guiding forest management toward sustainable outcomes. Check out FSC’s database of certified forest products.
  Forest Stewardship Council > Get Involved > Buy & Sell FSC Products
  http://www.fsc.org/en/getting_involved/buy_sell

Renewable Energy

• GREEN-E
  Did you know that you can switch from your regular electricity provider to green electricity certified provider? The Green-e Renewable Electricity Certification Program is administered by the non-profit Center for Resource Solutions. Find out about switching to green electricity today!
  Green-e >Your Electric Choices
  http://www.green-e.org/your_e_choices/e_choices_index.html
• GREEN-E – PRODUCT LABELING INITIATIVE
  Businesses across the nation are purchasing Green-e certified energy and feature the Green-e logo (meaning “Made with Certified Renewable Energy”) on their products , in their offices, and on their websites. Similar to other on-package certification symbols indicating that the product meets stringent guidelines for content, the Green-e logo informs consumers that the product was made using a certified renewable, environmentally friendly, source of energy. Consumers across the United States can now choose from over 175 certified products committed to renewable energy, cleaner air and combating climate change.
  Green-e > “Made with Certified Renewable Energy” > View Products
  http://www.Green-e.org/PLI/PLI-viewproducts.htm
• THE GREEN POWER NETWORK
  The U.S. Department of Energy’s Green Power Network (GPN) provides news and information about green power providers, product offerings, consumer protection issues, and policies affecting green power markets. Find out where to buy green energy in your state.
  http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/buying/buying_power.shtml
• UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS
  The Union of Concerned Scientists seeks to combine scientific analysis and citizen advocacy to build a cleaner, healthier environment and a safer world. Visit their energy page to learn about green energy in the U.S. and where to purchase it.
  Union of Concerned Scientists > Energy > Renewable Energy Basics > What You Can Do > Buy Green Power
  http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/renewable_energy_basics/buy-green-power.html

Marine Stewardship

• MARINE STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL
  The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an independent, global, non-profit organization whose role is to recognize, via a certification program, well-managed fisheries and to harness consumer preference for seafood products bearing the MSC label of approval. Find out which fisheries are MSC certified.
  Marine Stewardship Council > Fisheries > Certified Fisheries
  http://www.msc.org/html/content_484.htm

Organic

• USDA NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM
  The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the governmental certifying body for organic food in the U.S.. To learn about organic certification and the label to look for, check out the consumer information page.
  USDA > Agencies & Offices > Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) >National Organic Program > Consumer Information
  http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/Consumers/Consumerhome.html

Sustainable Tourism

• RAINFOREST ALLIANCE
  Rainforest Alliance’s mission is to protect ecosystems and the people and wildlife that depend on them by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior. Rainforest Alliance sets standards for sustainability for farms and forestry enterprises and tourism. Learn what sustainable tourism means and check out their recommendations for how to be a Savvy Traveler!
  Rainforest Alliance > What We Do > Tourism > Savvy Traveler
  http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/programs/tourism/travelers/index.html

Also remember to try and buy locally sourced first if possible.

more about sustainable purchasing, see comprehensive list, buyerbefair.org