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Protect the Environment: While Shopping

How does my shopping affect the environment?
How can I buy energy-efficient products?
How do I find the most fuel-efficient vehicle?
How do I find products and services that save water?
Get even more tips that you can use to help protect the environment.


How does my shopping affect the environment?

Everything you buy affects the Earth, but some choices have a lesser impact. Educating yourself about the products you buy can empower you to make a difference in protecting the planet. It's called "green purchasing," and it's easy to do.
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How can I buy energy-efficient products?

The next time you need to replace a product for your home or office, consider choosing one that has earned the government's ENERGY STAR. Energy-efficient choices can save families about a third on their energy bill with similar savings of greenhouse gas emissions, without sacrificing style or comfort. ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment by making the energy-efficient choice.
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How do I find the most fuel-efficient vehicle?

EPA's Green Vehicle Guide gives information about the environmental performance of vehicles. This guide provides the emissions scores and fuel economy of any model year 2000 or later car or truck.
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How do I find products and services that save water?

Water-efficient products and practices help reduce water use and saves money on utility bills. Look for the WaterSense label when shopping for plumbing fixtures, irrigation services, or other products that meet water efficiency criteria.
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Resources for Concerned Citizens

Learn about Your Right to Know

Right-to-know laws provide information about possible chemical exposures. Discover resources EPA provides the public in the spirit of right-to-know.

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Search for and Comment on Regulations

Our proposed regulations are almost always open to the public for comment. Your participation leads to better regulations.

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At Home and in the Garden

Tips for home safety, avoiding potential risks, and preventing pollution by recycling and conserving water and energy.

Protect the environment at home and in your garden >>

At Work

Information about preventing pollution in your workplace, and raising awareness of health and safety issues.

Keep work environments safe >>

On the Road

Consumer information about the environmental impacts of transportation plus tips on cleaner cars, saving gas and improving mileage, boating pollution prevention tips, and more.

Learn about the environmental impacts of transportation >>

At School

Whether you are a student or a teacher in a class about the environment, EPA has lots of educational resources to offer you.

Keep school environments safe >>

While Shopping

Find helpful information on how to choose purchases that will reduce pollution, save energy and money.

Learn to be an environmentally-savvy shopper >>

In Your Community

Learn how to protect your neighborhood's natural resources, and get information on air and water quality in your community.

Protect the environment in your community >>

Think Globally, Act Locally

Learn about environmental issues that impact our world, and about programs, opportunities, and tools to help you get involved and make a difference in your community.

More on thinking globally and acting locally >>

Report a Violation or Emergency

Information on potential environmental violations and how to report a suspicious situation. To report oil and chemical spills, call the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.

Learn how to report violations and emergencies | Information on natural disasters >>

Children's Health

Information on how to protect children from toxins, the sun, lead, and other potential environmental health threats.

More on children's health >>