Final answer:
Mandy Walker recommends shopping smartly by buying used items, choosing products with less packaging, and preferring reusable items over disposable ones. Maintenance and repair of products, as well as borrowing or sharing infrequently used items, are also suggested for a smarter and more sustainable lifestyle.
Step-by-step explanation:
Smart Shopping Strategies
Mandy Walker, Senior Project Editor at Shop Smart, suggests several strategies for shopping in a manner that is both smart and safe. These strategies emphasize mindful purchasing and sustainability. One key recommendation is to buy used items, which can save money and reduce waste, as these items often have the same utility as new ones but at a lower cost and environmental impact. Another strategy is to look for products that use less packaging; less packaging means less raw material used, which is beneficial to the environment and can also lead to savings for consumers. Furthermore, choosing to buy reusable over disposable items is advised, helping to minimize the accumulation of waste.
Additional advice includes maintaining and repairing products to extend their lives and opting to borrow, rent, or share items that are used infrequently. Lastly, the overarching recommendation is to practice reduction -- the action with the most significant environment impact -- by buying less, living simply, and reducing travel. These strategies not only contribute to a safer environment but also to smarter consumer practices.