Local and Reused

One way you can be a bit greener is to "think global, act local." In fact, a localvore is a person who eats only locally-grown and produced food. You could extend that definition to one who also shops and supports locally owned businesses.

For example, a localvore would shop and eat locally rather than patronizing national or international chains. The San Francisco Locally Owned Merchants Alliance can help you find locally-owned businesses. The following is taken - often verbatim - from that site.

Supporting local businesses reduces environmental impact. Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.

There are many other reasons, though, such as significantly more money re-circulates in your city when purchases are made at locally owned, rather than nationally owned, businesses; most new jobs are provided by local businesses; your city's one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of your distinctive character; and local business owners invest in community.

Other reasons are that oftentimes customer service is better; competition and diversity leads to more choices; public benefits far outweigh public costs; encourages investment in your city; and non-profits receive greater support as non-profit organizations receive an average 350% greater support from local business owners than they do from non-locally owned businesses.

Stores like Cole Hardware or Standard 5 & 10 instead of large hardware chains. Amoeba Music instead of the mall CD store. Book Passage or Books Inc. instead of Borders or Barnes & Noble. Rainbow Grocery or farmers' markets instead of big supermarket chains. For a good guide to organic and green stores and restaurants, look to the Green Zebra.

For even less impact on the environment, look to purchase reused / recycled / vintage at places like the once-a-month Alameda Flea Market. Looking to redo your home, look to Ohmega Salvage in Berkeley. Across the street from Ohmega, you may want to see if there's any vintage clothes you might like at Twisters Vintage, Dolled Up Vintage, or Retro Diva / Icon Vintage. Those stores are more focused on the 50's, 60's, 70's vintage clothes. Closer to home in San Francisco and sporting more recent styles look to any of the various Crossroads.