a. What are the characteristics of a “responsible consumer”? Explain.
A responsible consumer is actively thinking about the products that they are purchasing by buying items locally and choosing brands that have a focus on sustainability. Also, responsible consumers are actively thinking about their actions such as reusing items, recycling, composting, using reusable bags, and just overall reducing waste.
b. What do you buy on a regular basis: daily, twice a week, once a week, once a month, less?
I generally buy groceries once a week. I also buy food several times a week and order food about once a week. I purchase Ubers a couple times a month and I purchase clothes every so often as well.
c. How are your purchases divided between online shopping (local, abroad, shipped by air or by sea) and in-store shopping? For in-store shopping, how do you get to the store? By foot, car, public transport?
Most of my shopping is done through online shopping but when I am not in college and have access to a car I shop in-store. I do walk to some stores in the area while I am in college but most of the time I order groceries and food through a delivery service.
d. What is important to you when choosing a product?
When choosing groceries, I care about how it was produced. I also care about how fresh the food is. For clothes, I consider the company I am purchasing from and their sustainability efforts but I also value price and style as well.
e. Can you take into consideration the end of use already at the time of purchase? If so, in what form?
Yes, I can take into consideration the end of use by thinking about what I will do when I am done using the product. For example, with groceries, I know that I will recycle the box or compost the peels of the fruits that I buy and with clothes I will pass it down to siblings or donate it.
f. How can you become a more responsible consumer?
I can become a more responsible consumer by using reusable bags more when going to the grocery store. Also, I should spend the time to walk to a grocery store and buy products rather than always ordering online through services such as instacart.