What Does It Mean to be Eco-Friendly?

You must have heard the term eco-friendly. But what does it really mean? Eco-friendly means that the products and services you use are not harmful to the environment, which includes the sea, air, land, flora, fauna and all living organisms that coexist with all life on our planet. Furthermore, this concept refers to living with intent. The intent is focused on lessening your impact on the environment and avoiding and preventing as much harm as possible through your interactions with it.

Consequently, the idea of being eco-friendly involves more than that. Being environmentally conscious not only entails turning off the lights when you leave a room or avoiding the use of single-use plastics but by long-term, environmentally friendly sustained actions in order to make a real-world impact.

Nowadays, awareness plays a major role when it comes to becoming eco-friendly since the negative effects of environmental pollution are widely known and tangible. In fact, to reduce our carbon footprint it is important to deviate from some conventional actions that were common in the past decades, such as using plastic straws or consuming more than necessary. If you are wondering about switching to a more sustainable lifestyle, and you don’t know where to start, don’t worry. Becoming eco-friendly doesn’t necessarily mean that your life will turn around 180 degrees, you can start with small (yet significant) changes.

Firstly, simply acknowledging that there are products that cause environmental harm is a great start because, as with everything in life, awareness comes first, and change goes hand-in-hand with understanding. The journey of acquiring a sustainable lifestyle can be rewarding, and pleasant because your actions will go a long way towards improving and preserving the environment. So, understanding the process of conserving our resources, and learning how to start making a difference is the first thing you can do.

One of the most eco-friendly habits a person can develop is going plastic-free or, at least, single-use plastic-free. So, instead of using disposable utensils, cups and bottles, you can get the reusable versions of these. A nice reusable cup for your takeaway coffee, a lovely set of bamboo or stainless steel utensils to eat your takeaway food, and even an insulated bottle that will keep your water hot or cold for hours.

Another way to make eco-friendly choices is to recycle metal, plastic, glass and paper separately and, at the same time, try to reduce your overall waste. In fact, when you recycle, you realise how much waste you produce (of course this is not on purpose, but it’s a good way to raise awareness) and maybe, before recycling you could opt to reuse some materials instead of tossing them out. In fact, many people choose to use upcycled products (products made from recycled materials) which prevents new products from being produced and diverts waste from landfill. eTHikel has researched eco-friendly brands that are committed to lowering their impact on the environment because they guarantee an ethical production, and in return will provide you with ample of benefits.

Along the same lines, when it comes to sustainability, energy conservation plays a crucial role, since producing and using electricity more efficiently reduces both the amount of fuel needed to generate electricity and the amount of greenhouse gases. With that being said, you can reduce your carbon output when commuting by walking or cycling, taking public transport, or even carpooling. Then, at home, you can conserve energy by switching off appliances and lights when not in use, or by making energy-efficient choices when purchasing appliances.

Another important aspect of being eco-friendly is spreading your knowledge, sharing ideas, tips and alternatives that may help people who are committed to the same cause and want to adopt a healthier lifestyle that has a positive impact on the environment for future generations. You can start raising awareness among your family and friends by explaining the benefits and reasons why being eco-friendly can be a positive lifestyle choice. Additionally, if you want to share what you know, your experiences and results, social media may help to reach that audience who are on the same wavelength and want to know what they can do.

All in all, the first step is to reevaluate the way you behave as a consumer and how you can contribute to lessening your environmental impact. Maybe the first change is changing the way you commute, maybe it’s recycling, maybe is lowering your household waste and working out how you can upcycle.

Although some conventional habits are harder to change or adapt to this lifestyle, it’s not impossible to find alternatives to tackle this climate crisis that is our reality. Nowadays, with the current environmental crisis, many companies are tackling it by offering a wide range of sustainable products that are friendly to our planet, and healthier for us. As individuals, we can make a difference by educating ourselves in order to make wiser choices regarding environmental conservation and the correct use of natural resources. So, there are plenty of things you can do to start living sustainably that don’t mean your life has to change completely. You can take small steps to start your eco-friendly journey, as all your choices and actions have an impact. Remember, small changes make a difference.