What Does It Actually Mean To Live And Be Eco-Friendly?

Jul 12, 2021
2 min read

Being environmentally friendly or eco-friendly is increasingly becoming important to society. "Going green" and "eco-friendly" have become buzzwords on talk shows, ads, and product packaging. The phrase "eco-friendly" has come to encompass so many things and behaviours that its meaning is in jeopardy. You can implement habits that will lead to healthier living for the Earth and its inhabitants, big and little, by knowing the true meaning of eco-friendly.

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What does it mean to be eco-friendly?

The easiest way to define eco-friendly living is to say that it is the act of living intentionally. The goal is to avoid causing harm to the environment and prevent as much damage that's a direct result of our interactions with it. It’s more than a concept; it’s a set of practices that affect how communities, corporations, and individuals behave. Being environmentally conscious includes more than simply turning off lights when you leave a room or sorting your waste for recycling; it also entails changing your life's purpose.

Eco-friendly goods encourage green living by conserving energy and preventing pollution of the air, water, and noise. They are beneficial to the environment while also avoiding the degradation of human health. Not all eco-friendly products are made equally, when buying goods, it’s important to be aware of greenwashing.

What is ‘greenwashing’?

How many times have you heard the phrase "going green" in recent years? Probably far too many to count. We've reached the unfortunate feeling of green fatigue, where people are almost sick of hearing about it; and greenwashing may be to blame.

Greenwashing is a misleading marketing tactic that involves making unfounded claims about a product or service's environmental benefits. In other words, greenwashing is a marketing strategy employed by businesses to deceive customers into believing their products, services, or mission have a more significant environmental impact than they actually do.

Unfortunately greenwashing erodes our confidence in genuinely eco-friendly and sustainable brands in the long run.

How to find eco products

When shopping, have a look at the label to see if a product is ecologically friendly. Although not all environmentally friendly products are labelled, there are a variety of logos that indicate if a product is sustainably created, Fairtrade, or cruelty-free. These logos can vary from country to country, a little research can help you determine whether a product is eco-friendly or not.

Brands will occasionally design their own logos. Because you can't officially look them up to verify them, it's essential to investigate what the brand is attempting to say and what they're doing. If you're unsure whether a product or service is truly environmentally friendly, you'll need to do some digging to find out what's going on behind the label.

Also, keep an eye on the packaging. Even if a product contains sustainable ingredients, it may not be packaged sustainably. Always consider the three Rs: is this something that can be recycled, reused, or reduced? Packaging manufactured from recyclable materials is preferable, and less is always more in general.

How to be more eco-friendly: what does it look like?

So, how can you take on the challenge and embrace being environmentally conscious in your daily routine? Here are some easy recommendations to help you be more environmentally conscious in your everyday life. These suggestions are only the beginning, but they're all crucial to think about if you want to reduce your carbon footprint.

Make your home energy-efficient

Energy efficiency is critical in the fight against climate change. After all, your home's emissions account for a stunning 26% of your total carbon footprint.

From insulating and draught-proofing your home to switching to renewable energy and repairing or replacing your boiler, there are many ways to ensure your home is getting the most out of its energy.

Your daily habits at home can also have an impact. Consider an eco-friendly, water-saving showerhead, for example. Don't wash the dishes every time they get dirty, either! You'll be relieved to learn that letting them pile up is really more efficient than running your dishwasher more frequently.

Drive less, walk more

A simple and more effective way to live an eco-friendly life is to either take public transport for your daily commute needs or try carpooling with your colleagues. This can save on petrol and lessen your carbon impact. If your office is not that far from where you live, you can start walking or riding a bicycle half an hour earlier.

Shop mindfully

Additional to looking for eco-friendly logos when shopping, there are other strategies to reduce your basket's carbon footprint. It's preferable to shop for plastic-free things (think: unwrapped fruit and vegetables) and buy locally if possible. As a result, the time it takes your items to get from the factory to the dinner table is cut in half.

If you really want to delve deep, look at the ingredients list and study those. For example, when purchasing cleaning solutions, it's best to opt for non-toxic, natural components whenever possible.

The most important thing to remember is to buy less. Every time you decide to reuse something you currently own rather than buying new it's a win for the environment.

Plant more trees

It's easy to understand why the world needs more trees. They offer us oxygen, fruits, and timber, as well as preventing soil erosion, controlling floods, and providing habitat for wildlife. Massive deforestation has resulted in a severe reduction of forest area during the last few decades. Working with environmental organisations to educate more people and plant more trees is critical to keeping this world clean and eco-friendly.

Protect local water sources

Paint, oil, ammonia, and other powerful chemical solutions should never be disposed of on the ground since they contaminate groundwater. You can become a member of a local water conservation club and oppose polluters who dump their industrial waste into waterways. On a smaller scale, you can ensure your cleaning products aren't made with these harsh chemicals.

Live an eco-friendly life

If you find yourself thinking what does it mean to be eco-friendly, the answer is simple. Eco-friendly living is a way of life, a philosophy, and a way of thinking. And, in the face of an increasingly vulnerable and rapidly degrading planet, it can feel as if a single human's little choice isn't going to be enough to make a significant difference. But it is these choices—from using reusable face wipes to contacting your elected officials— that can make all the difference. iCare is committed to providing people with eco-friendly living alternatives to help us all do our bit for this Earth we live on.