Jay Kilby has found a way to mix bargain shopping with sustainability.
The Interlake High School social-studies teacher created WeBuyItGreen.com, an online directory of environmentally and socially responsible goods that includes everything from makeup to pets.
The site isn’t about consumerism alone. It also has multiple informational elements.
Kilby researches each of the available products to make sure they’re worth the green tag, but his site offers a review function that allows consumers to ask questions of merchants in case they’re still skeptical.
For those who don’t know what makes a product sustainable, there’s an article on green certification, as well as an eco-library that helps buyers make informed choices.
The latest element Kilby has added to his site is a “green neighborhood center” that allows communities to organize all variety of initiatives – whether its ride sharing, boycotting, or setting up grocery deliveries from organic farmers.
Kilby said his involvement with sustainability efforts have grown since he started teaching a section on global warming for his contemporary world affairs class.
“I just became interested as I dug into this, and it sort of became an obsession,” he said.
Kilby’s colleagues say his enthusiasm is rubbing off on students.
“He’s really great with getting them excited about the possibilities of neighborhoods and communities going green together,” said fellow teacher Ryan Rahlfs. “He speaks passionately about that, and the kids respond.”