What does it mean to be green？Green is more than just a color. It also means taking special steps to protect the environment. Buying a green product is a small step everyone can take. Deciding whether a product is green，however，isn't always easy. We need to consider the whole life cycle of the product，even after it's of no use. Here is what we may keep in mind.
The materials of a product are usually our first focus. What is it made of？Are there any harmful chemicals in it？Green products are made of more natural materials which are free from harmful chemicals. so they can be good for our physical health.
Packaging is important. How is a product packaged？Is it over packaged？We'd better choose glass，metal and paper packaging，as these can be reused or more easily recycled. We can also look for less packaging or even choose bagged products whenever possible.
Location matters. Where was a product produced？Where are we buying it？Think about how much energy was used to get it to us. Try to choose local products. When it comes to food，it is a good idea to order directly from local farmers，shop at markets and buy fruits in season. Buying from stores near our houses is also a good choice，because we can go there without driving a car.
Look into what the company tells us about their products. It's easy to say that a product is"green"or"all natural"，but the words may be too good to be true. So we should pay attention to the information about a product carefully. After all，companies try to make us believe that their products are environmentally responsible.
The greenest thing is certainly the one we don't buy. Things like food and clothing are necessary for life. But many others are not. Better than buying is choosing to leave an unnecessary product in the store. It sends a message to the producer，keeps money in our pockets，reduces waste and keeps the planet healthy.
