Being eco-friendly is a great way to feel good and make a big difference, and while we can’t all be perfect, every little bit helps. Here are 10 different ways you can make a difference:
1. Zero-Waste
Zero-waste is a phrase coined to describe the act of minimizing the waste we produce, by buying things in bulk and choosing items with little to no packaging. Opt for products with recyclable packaging versus plastics, and items that can be recycled or are decomposable versus single-use plastic items.
2. Swap Plastics
To follow on from the previous point, avoiding single-use plastics is a great tip. Instead of buying disposable sponges, opt for washable cloths, bamboo cleaning brushes, and coconut husk scrubbers. You should avoid plastic wherever you can, like using refillable bottles instead of buying disposable ones, and re-usable shopping bags instead on single-use plastic bags.
3. Shop Packaging Free
Buy from stores that have recyclable packaging, or even better – no packaging! Shop from farmers markets and organic stores, where you can fill your own glass jars or containers rather than buying pre-packaged goods.
4. Cleaning Products
Many commercial cleaning products are full of chemicals and ingredients that may be harmful to the environment. There are great recipes to make your own strong, cleaners from natural ingredients that won’t cost the earth, or your savings.
5. Thrift Shops
Fast fashion is harmful for a variety of reasons, but can be avoided by opting for thrift-store goods instead. The fashion industry creates lots of waste with mass-produced clothing made from non-recyclable materials, so buying used clothes will give unwanted clothing a second life.
6. Recycling
Something that everyone should already be doing, is recycling. Making sure you separate your trash is important so that anything that can be recycled ends up in the right place, not in landfill. Most places have a recycling scheme in place already, so you should do your part and dispose of your trash and waste responsibly.
7. Diet
While the vegan lifestyle is often ridiculed, even switching to a vegetarian diet is eco-friendlier. The truth is, the meat industry is bad for the environment and reducing your meat intake is the eco-friendly choice. If you don’t want to change your diet, change your habits. With the amount of energy that goes into producing our food each day, so much of it gets wasted. If you buy food – eat it. Don’t let it go to waste.
8. Car
Transportation contributes to a large amount of pollution, so how can you travel in an eco-friendly way? Cycling and walking of course are the most environmentally friendly options, but they aren’t always practical. The truth is, we rely on driving, and most of us need to own a car. The car you drive can make a big difference, so opt for an eco-friendly car. The Hyundai Ioniq makes a great choice as a well-rounded option, but there are lots of others to consider.
9. Home
Being eco-friendlier around the home not only helps the environment, it saves you money too. Use less water, switch off electrics and don’t leave things on stand-by. These are all small steps but can make a big difference if everyone does their bit.
10. Research
The more you learn about living an eco-friendly life, the more steps you will discover. There are so many more ways you can live in an eco-friendlier way, and if you have done your research and know the facts, perhaps you can share your knowledge and pass it on to others too.
Every step you take, big or small, can make a difference. If everyone does just a little, it can change a lot. Nobody is perfect, but changing even just one thing is one step towards a better future.
