As you shop, look for products made as close to your community as possible. Why?

• Environmental benefits: It reduces the amount of energy needed to transport goods to market.

• Economic benefits: Buying local keeps money local.

• Health and safety benefits: Supporting local entrepreneurs and businesses increases the likelihood that U.S. environmental laws and regulations will be followed.

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Excerpted from:

Big Green Purse by Diane MacEachern, © 2008 Penguin Group.