There's a lot of talk about buying local these days, and there are many good reasons for looking close to home first when there's something you want to buy. Supporting small businesses, local entrepreneurs and artists brings positive economic and social impacts to your community. And just as important, buying local can be a much better choice for our planet's health.

Here are seven reasons that you should consider buying from locally-owned companies and shopping at outlets that carry goods produced in your own community:

1. Buyers can feel good about supporting their neighbours -- maybe even someone they may know personally -- and feel more satisfaction in their purchase through their sense of connection.
2. Buying something made close to home means there's no need for shipping, which reduces packaging, the energy needed for transportation and the carbon emissions produced.
3. Shoppers can choose to reduce the packaging even further at the point of sale, by bringing their own shopping bag or basket. Cutting down on recycling saves yet more energy and resources.
4. Statistics show significantly more money re-circulates in the community when purchases are made at locally owned businesses, compared to large retail chains.
5. Small local businesses are the largest employers in North America and create two out of every three new jobs in the USA.
6. Buyers have more opportunity for direct feedback and can have a greater influence on the decisions the producer makes, both creatively and in terms of ethical business choices.
7. Local companies can be more easily evaluated on how they stack up against others in areas like working conditions and regard for the environment.