Did you know your purchases have power? Buying local and choosing products made with recycled materials doesn’t just help the environment, it also supports your local and state economy. This means jobs for your neighbors!
Buying items that were made or grown locally reduces the fuel and resources required to transport them. This results in less pollution. Buying local can also reduce the amount of packaging required to protect these items from the perils of a long journey. Local produce, for example, arrives at your table fresher and more quickly from nearby farms. Local farms can also take advantage of a shorter shipping distance to save on extra packaging for keeping food fresh and may even offer more durable packaging that can be returned for reuse, like pickle jars.
Buying compost and mulch made locally in Texas is another great way to help the environment and support Texas businesses at the same time. Products like mulch and compost are typically made with food waste and other materials that would otherwise be landfilled. Keeping food waste out of our landfills not only reduces the amount of methane produced by them, but it also makes sure the nutrients from the wasted food make it back into the soil.
Compost and mulch reduce the need to water plants, which can be especially beneficial in the drought conditions we often face in Texas. Compost and mulch also help with erosion control. High quality compost enriches the nutrient level and porosity of soil, helping protect against pests and plant diseases, and reducing the need for costly fertilizers. Using mulch and compost also helps sequester carbon from the atmosphere into the soil.
Look for the Go Texan logo from the Texas Department of Agriculture on compost, mulch, and other agricultural products to support Texas producers!
