Green at Target

I wrote this story for the site at first, but it wasn't quite formatted right for the publication. I think the information and my experience is still valid though:

Dilemma: You are green minded college student with no abundant amounts of “green” in the bank.
Solution: Figure out where going green is easiest and most accessible.
Fact: It’s easier to go green than ever. In the past, consumers used to have to go to special retailers. According to a 2002 USDA report, organic products are now sold in upwards of 73 percent of conventional grocery stores, making it easier than ever to jump on the green bandwagon.
How easy is it to go green really if you shop major retail? Only a day of running errands at Target—Wal-mart’s cooler cousin—with green on your mind and about 20 bucks in your pocket can tell.
First, it helps to make a list, then find what you need and see if there is a green alternative.
Item 1: Laundry Detergent- walking into the aisle of detergents at Target is overwhelming to many consumers; Purex, Cheer, Tide and each has several different varieties. The greenest detergent available at Target is Arm and Hammer Essentials. The bottle reads it’s 100 percent naturally derived, uses biodegradable plant bases soaps, no petroleum based cleaners, dyes, phosphates or bleaches. The price, at $ 3.39 for a bottle that does 32 loads is comparable to the Purex next to it that does not make any of those environmental claims.
“I use it for my child’s safety,” a mother in the aisle said.
Item 2: Light Bulbs- it’s easy to pick up the economy pack of light bulbs on the cheap at Target, but it’s not green at all. The crazy curly GE Energy Smart Light bulbs were $8.44 for a 2 pack of 60 watt bulbs, but the packaging say they last five years instead of the 1200 hours of the regular GE bulbs at $2.39. Feasibly a college student may not even have to change a bulb before they graduate—unless they change their major a few times—which in the long run saves cash. And plus, they are pretty cool looking and could qualify as art in your student apartment.
Item 3: Toothpaste- Now depending on the type of toothpaste you buy the prices can vary wildly. The only natural option at Target for toothpaste was Tom’s of Maine, at $ 4.29 a tube. It is on the expensive side. Comparably to other toothpastes boasting whitening gels and trendy flavors it’s only about a dollar more.
“I’ve never thought about buying natural toothpaste, I have never even heard of that stuff before,” University of Arizona student, Adriana Amaya said in the toothpaste aisle when asked about using Tom’s. For the record, she decided to go with her old stand-by Crest.
Item 4: Swiffer Sweeper refills- America loves convenience; enter sensation- the Swiffer Sweeper. Can you think of anything more unnecessary than a Swiffer Sweeper? Switch to a regular mop, at Target, the cheapest at $3.99 and you will be saving the planet in no time and have clean floors.
Target total $20.11 pre tax- find some change on the floor while roaming the store and you just went greener in one trip.

Items you can simply eliminate from your list and go green without any cash:

Item: Loofah- these netted germ incubators and the number one way to disseminate body wash for the female population, go if not green, healthy and switch to a wash cloth. You probably already have one that your mom made you buy freshman year.

Item: Trash bags- just reuse your Target bags your merchandise comes in and eliminate the need for small trash bags.

Bottom-line: Going green in a mass retail store, like Target, is easier than you think and can fit into your budget. Just go in with green in mind and reduce your impact on the same budget as before. It’s easy to be green if you want to be.