The world is changing – and it’s not always for the better. As the population grows, so does the need to become more eco-friendly.
The truth of the matter is the world can only take so much abuse. And as waste continues, so does pollution.
For anyone interested in living a eco-friendlier lifestyle, this post is for you! Keep these tips in mind as you become the change you want to see in the world:
1. Look for Products with Established 3rd Party Emblems
While you can’t trust all “environmentally friendly” products, you can trust them if they have any of the following labels:
- B-Corp
- Green-E
- Bluesign
- GreenGuard
- Cradle to Cradle
- LEED
- EcoCert
- MadeSafe
- Energy Star
- USDA Bio Based
- EPEAT
- WaterSense
- Fair Trade Certified
- FairTrade
- Plant Hide
2. Ignore the Expiration Dates on Food and Drinks
Even though most foods and drinks have sell-by or use-by dates, you don’t need to adhere to these dates. These dates aren’t when your products expire. Rather, these dates encourage waste and perpetuate consumerism.
Instead of tossing the product out when the date passes, do the smell and taste test. If it smells and tastes alright, you can probably eat or drink it. Minimize your waste by becoming a more conscious consumer!
3. Choose Eco-Friendly Transportation
Various forms of eco-friendly transportation exist. It’s all about making the right choices to support your environmentally conscious goals.
Consider driving cars and motorcycles less. Since these vehicles emit high levels of carbon dioxide, it’s best to avoid them when possible. If you do drive a car or motorcycle, make sure you are responsible with your use of gas.
Avoid using airplanes as much as possible. Unless there are absolutely no other options, avoid flying. Not only do flights release harmful emissions overseas, but these gases harm the planet even more when they are released at high altitudes.
Choose the bus or train over a taxi or limo. While these forms of transportation might be less comfortable, the ride share aspect makes these options ideal for environmentally conscious individuals.
4. Apply Eco-Friendly Practices at Home
It’s not too challenging to be eco-friendly at home. But it does take a bit of effort.
Vegan fashion is quite eco-friendly. For example, leaf leather is becoming increasingly popular in the fashion world. But other options exist for those who can’t seem to give up leather!
Besides vegan fashion, you can do things like recycle and compost. Both activities reduce the amount of garbage dumped in landfills. You can also work towards using less electricity by utilizing energy saving light bulbs when you have to use them, for example.
Use Earth-friendly cleaning products. Green cleaners are better for your health and better for the environment. However, if you have little kids or pets at home, avoid products that contain harsh chemicals – they can be dangerous to young children and animals alike.
Make sure you only buy eco-friendly appliances when you need them. As long as appliances don’t use too much energy, there’s no reason you shouldn’t purchase them in the first place. However, if something breaks or expires, don’t replace it – fix or repurpose the existing item instead.
5. Avoid Single-Use Plastic
Avoiding single-use plastic is another way to become eco-friendlier. Unfortunately, many individuals don’t understand the negative impact of these materials on the environment.
For starters, single use plastics take a long time to degrade – even longer if they are in water. Some never fully decompose. And others end up harming wildlife and polluting our waterways.
Consumers need to be more responsible with how they dispose of these products. Avoid including plastic in your recycling bin at home and recycle where you can – even if plastics are recyclable, it’s a good rule of thumb to avoid them when possible.
To reduce the amount of waste you produce, purchase reusable items like refillable water bottles and cloth bags. This way you don’t have to rely on these disposable items.
