# Green Tuesday: Shopping with a Sustainable Twist - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/11/green-tuesday-shopping-with-a-sustainable-twist/ - Published: 2011-11-22T18:39:42-05:00 - Author: greenlivingguy ## Move Over Black Friday and Cyber Monday — Make Room for Green Tuesday Every year, shoppers rush for big, big deals on Black Friday. They flood websites for fast, fast discounts on Cyber Monday. But the question remains: what about a day for smart, smart shopping that puts the planet first? That’s where Green Tuesday [comes in](https://www.treehugger.com/green-tuesday-sustainable-shopping-day-4864064). [Green Tuesday](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/11/hudson-river-dredging-removes-over-1-3-million-cubic-yards/) shifts the focus from endless consumption to responsible, responsible choices. Instead of buying more stuff that clogs landfills, shoppers can seek eco-friendly, eco-friendly products, [support local](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/11/epa-water-integrated-plan-to-support-local-governments/), local makers, or give meaningful, meaningful experiences instead of things. ### Why Green Tuesday Matters Consumer spending has power—real, [real power](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/08/real-power-of-the-tour-de-france/). Every [dollar spent on a product](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/07/customers-urge-dollar-general-executives-to-act-on-toxic-chemicals-in-products-at-annual-shareholder-meeting/) sends a signal. When you choose green [products](https://www.nrdc.org/stories/how-you-can-stop-global-warming), you tell companies that sustainability matters. Over time, those choices push businesses to adopt cleaner practices, reduce packaging, and [cut waste](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/01/ford-sets-new-goal-to-build-on-success-of-cutting-waste-100-million-pounds-spared-from-landfills-since-2007/). While Black [Friday celebrates](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/04/hey-green-dads-out-there-arthur-celebrates-earth-day-with-5-new-episodes-beginning-friday-april-22-2011-on-pbs-kids-go/) excess, Green Tuesday celebrates conscious, conscious living. It reminds us that every purchase has an impact—not just on wallets, but on the planet. ![Graphic design promoting green tuesday with bold white text on a teal background that reads shop smarter Shop greener Make every purchase count Green tuesday](https:// i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/71FDFBEA-4DF3-420A-B676- BFE564FA244E.png?resize=780%2C780&quality=50&ssl=1 "71FDFBEA-4DF3-420A-B676-BFE564FA244E- The Green Living Guy") Green Tuesday encourages smarter greener shopping choices during the holiday season ### Smarter Shopping, Greener Gifts Green Tuesday isn’t about skipping shopping altogether. It’s about smarter, smarter shopping. That could mean: 1. Buying from companies with strong [environmental commitments](https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/find-a-b-corp/). 2. Choosing [products made from recycled materials](https://www.epa.gov/recycle/recycling-basics). 3. Supporting [small businesses](https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/lender-match) that keep money in local economies. 4. Giving longer-lasting, longer-lasting gifts, not ones [designed to break](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/11/gaf-headquarters-building-awarded-the-worlds-first-resilient-design-credit-by-usgbc/). You can also think beyond “things.” Give experiences like tickets to events. Buy memberships to parks or museums. Or plant a [tree in someone’s name](https://onetreeplanted.org/). These choices [last far longer than a discount gadget that ends](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/07/new-study-finds-antarctic-ice-sheet-unstable-at-end-of-last-ice-age/) up in the trash. ### Final Thoughts Green Tuesday proves that shopping can mean more, more than just sales and discounts. It shows that every purchase carries weight, weight for the planet. While Black Friday and Cyber Monday [fuel consumption](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/11/exploding-engine-could-reduce-fuel-consumption-says-technology-review/), Green Tuesday fuels change, change. By choosing [sustainable options](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/09/sustainable-packaging-options/), supporting local makers, and giving experiences instead of wasteful goods, we create better, better communities. We also leave behind a cleaner, [cleaner future](https://greenlivingguy.com/2024/12/carbon-captures-quantum-leap-powdering-our-way-to-a-cleaner-future/) for our children. So the choice is clear. You can [shop the same way](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/08/shop-bulk-foods-the-sustainable-way-to-save-on-groceries/) as always. Or you can shop with purpose, purpose. When you act differently, businesses listen. When you spend wisely, the [world changes](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/01/football-pitch-sized-batteries-could-change-the-world-of-renewable-energy/). Because in the end, Green Tuesday is not just a day. It is a movement, movement— and it begins with you. ### A Call to Action The [holiday season](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/11/save-reusable-gift-waste-this-holiday-season/) pressures us all to spend, spend, spend. But [Green Tuesday gives](https://greenlivingguy.com/donor-dashboard/) us a chance to reset. A chance to align [shopping with values](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/08/goodguides-transparency-toolbar-empowers-consumers-to-instantly-shop-their-values-when-shopping-online/). A chance to make sure the spirit of giving extends to the [environment](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/12/as-hundreds-of-golf-courses-close-nature-gets-a-chance-to-make-a-comeback-says-ensia/), not just to people. So this year, when the frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday fades, take a breath. On Green Tuesday, shop with intention, intention. Choose [products that protect](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/07/technological-advances-to-increase-sustainable-food-production/) the planet. [Support companies](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/10/ford-clean-car-standards-comments-show-companys-true-colors-company-endorses-trump-administrations-misleading-claims-in-support-of-rollback/) that care. And make every purchase count. Because the best deal of all is a healthier, [healthier future](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/03/youth-protect-environment-taking-action-for-a-healthier-future/). ![Woman shopping sustainably with a reusable cotton bag while selecting fresh broccoli at a farmers market produce stand](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/ uploads/2011/11/228EF43F-E842-407D-9A6C-B6B355938064.png?resize=780%2C1170&quality =50&ssl=1 "228EF43F-E842-407D-9A6C-B6B355938064 - The Green Living Guy") Green shopping in action choosing fresh produce with reusable bags instead of single use plastic ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)