How to Be More Eco Friendly in 2024
As a lot of activities are done subconsciously as part of our everyday routine, there is a great chance that some, if not most, of the activities aren’t always the most environmentally-friendly options available.
Changing your habits to more eco-friendly options only takes a few adjustments. It's better to make sure that the changes are sustainable throughout a more extended period so that the change can become habitual.
👉 Use a Recyclable Eco-Friendly Water Bottle
Purchasing water bottles is a common practice - particularly in warm weather. However, a lot of water bottles end up in the ocean as a lot of people fail to recycle them properly. This results in a high rate of pollution in our oceans and the overall environment, as one plastic bottle will break down into 10,000 microplastic pieces over time - and this microplastic pollution is incredibly hard to clean up.
A solution to this problem is to invest in a water bottle that is not only reusable but also the right size, so you can take it with you whenever you travel.
Re-using a water bottle also saves money in the long run, as fewer plastic bottles will need to be purchased.
👉 Use Environmentally Friendly Shampoo
Just like ingredients in cleaning products, regular shampoo, and conditioner also contain various ingredients that are washed down in the drain and end up in the ocean again. The chemicals in those ingredients are often toxic in nature and should not be used. Wherever they end up, they may hurt the biodiversity.
Opt for non-synthetic ingredients when shopping for shampoo. As the shampoo bottles will ultimately be treated the same as other plastic objects, consumers can opt for soap bars that are suitable for hair. It's a great alternative, as these soap bars are often made from natural, biodegradable ingredients.
👉 Use Recyclable Paper for Gifts
As a lot of trees go into the production of paper - whether it’s toilet paper, regular paper to write with, or wrapping paper, it’s important to be mindful and to invest in recyclable paper. Back in 2017, there were approximately 419.69 million metric tons of paper and cardboard being produced in the world. Based on this data, we are on a bad trajectory in terms of paper and cardboard pollution if production does not halt.
👉 Replace Diesel and Petrol Cars with Environmentally Friendly Cars
Cars are a major cause of global warming, mainly due to the amount of pollution that they emit. Diesel and petrol cars are the main culprits of CO2 emissions.
In order to combat this, electric and hybrid cars are rising in popularity as they reduce overall emissions. This is mainly due to the fact that electric cars run on batteries, rather than a combusting fuel source. Hybrid cars on the other hand use a fuel source but switch sources as their fuel capacity gets low.
👉 Buy Recyclable Clothes from Respectable Brands
The damaging effects that producing clothes has on the environment are pretty significant. Fast Fashion is mostly to blame, as clothes that fall into this category are produced in massive quantities. These quantities are produced only to be disposed in billions, which can take up to 200 years to decompose for certain synthetic fibers (such as polyester).
These types of fibers also threaten our biodiversity. When washing these garments, microplastic fibers end up in the oceans, which are ultimately ingested by animals. Consumers could be mindful of the type of clothes that they buy, which textiles they are made of, and look for companies that have promised to reduce their emissions and water pollution from producing garments.
👉 Stop Using Single-Use Plastic Straws
The UK has confirmed a ban on single-use plastic straws as a part of the 25 Year Environment Plan. As plastic waste is one of the biggest environmental challenges the UK and the world face, banning straws will make a huge difference.
There are over 8.3 billion tons of plastic in the world, and the vast majority do not enter the recycling process. Straws can take up to 200 years to decompose, hurting the lives of animals and also the environment during this long process.
Invest in a silicone straw that is reusable. It’s not only healthier for the environment, but it's also a cost-effective solution. When at a bar or restaurant, tell the server you would rather forego the straw in your drink.
👎 NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Straws are sharper than they look. Millions of sea animals, such as turtles and seabirds eat them, thinking its food. This ultimately ends up hurting them, and oftentimes choking them to death.
👍 Buy Products That Are Biodegradable
All things come to an end. While you cannot control whether or not the products that you dispose of will end up at a location where they will be recycled and reused, you can however purchase products that are made of non-synthetic ingredients and are biodegradable.
Biodegradable products dissolve due to contact with bacteria and fungi. Meaning that if they get in contact with nature, they won’t cause any environmental harm, as they disappear due to natural processes.
👉 Eat Less Meat
Meat and dairy are responsible for the majority of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the agriculture industry. Emissions occur from the stage of production, to processing, packaging, and to finally being served. Farming releases two powerful greenhouse gases: Methane from livestock during digestion due to enteric fermentation, and Nitrous Oxide as an indirect product of organic and mineral nitrogen fertilizers.
As the majority of emissions are a result of production and preparation of meat and dairy, consuming less meat would be a positive contribution in reducing GHG emissions. While some opt to drastically change their diets to a vegan one, simply reducing your intake of meat can already have a big impact.
At the Eco Fairy, our goal is to help you build a more sustainable life by offering you a line of reusable products. We offer products that last and that will help you reduce the amount of plastic you use.
More info on our website: https://www.theecofairy.com