The products we purchase have a wide variety of potential impacts on human health and the environment. Many of these impacts include air pollution, water pollution, natural resource uses, and ecosystem damages. A product may go through one or more processes in its life cycle such as extracting raw materials, manufacturing, or disposal of product, that negatively contribute to these impacts. Buying products that can be recycled or products from recycled materials "completes" the product's life cycle. It also reduces energy and conserves landfill space. Examples of these products are the daily supplies we use at our office. They include refilled printer catridges, recycled paper, and even pens made out of water bottles. RecyclingWorksMA has more resources if you'd like to learn more about buying recycled products. 


Differentiating between products can be a challenge. To help you purchase greener products, EPA has put together a guideline of environmental attributes you should consider before buying products such as paper or electronics for your parish or school office. By purchasing more ethical and environmentally sustainable products, we are protecting human health and reducing CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.