a. What are the characteristics of a “responsible consumer”? Explain.
A responsible consumer is one who is aware of the environmental impacts of the products that they buy and doesn’t consume more than is necessary. They also dispose of their waste products correctly and recycle what they can.
b. What do you buy on a regular basis: daily, twice a week, once a week, once a month, less?
On a daily basis, I buy food, mostly at the campus dining hall. Once a month I buy hygiene and beauty products, as well as medication. About once every two months I buy clothes.
c. How are your purchases divided between online shopping (local, abroad, shipped by air or by sea) and in-store shopping? For in-store shopping, how do you get to the store? By foot, car, public transport?
The vast majority of the items I buy, I buy in-store and locally. I buy clothes online, which are usually shipped from within the US by air or ground, or at a thrift store. I get to the store by foot and it’s usually a store nearby or the farmers market.
d. What is important to you when choosing a product?
When choosing products, I consider price and need as two main deciding factors. I generally only buy things I need and don’t pay full price for clothes almost ever. I also try to be responsible in my consumption by choosing products and brands with less packaging or packaging that is made of biodegradable materials. As for clothes, I get most of my clothing at thrift stores and I prefer natural fibers, which means they don’t shed microplastics when I wash them.
e. Can you take into consideration the end of use already at the time of purchase? If so, in what form?
I can take into consideration the end of use when I’m purchasing by thinking about what packaging is used and considering how I could reuse it. I also can think about whether I will use the product enough for the environmental impact to be worth it.
f. How can you become a more responsible consumer?
I can become a more responsible consumer by becoming more aware of the packaging for the food products that I am eating, especially convenience foods.