eco-friendly

Jan

2023

5 Eco-Friendly Alternatives for Your Daily Items

Reading Time: 2 minutes

There are many ways that we can help reduce environmental pollution. Eventually, a lifestyle change is needed if we really want to maximize our efforts. We all know that will take some time. In the meantime, we can start by using eco-friendly alternatives for our daily items.

Reusable Water Bottle

A reusable water bottle is the first eco-friendly alternative that we all should switch to right away. Make good use of them to replace disposable paper cups and having to buy mineral or distilled water in plastic bottles. Not only will you be saving money from buying less beverages when going outside; you can also help reduce the number of plastic bottles ending up in landfills and in the ocean. Remember, plastics are forever.

Reusable Straws

Since we’re talking about beverages, reusable straws are also easily available as a sustainable replacement to plastic straws. There are bamboo straws, metal straws, glass straws and even silicon straws for you to choose from. Bamboo straws are the most eco-friendly. Metal straws and glass straws come in a variety of colors and sizes to suit your needs. Silicon straws are more portable and convenient to pack for everyday use.

Rechargeable Batteries

Batteries can cause water and soil pollution when they get thrown into a landfill as they have many toxic chemicals as their main components. Use rechargeable batteries as an eco-friendly alternative. Aside from being more long lasting; they can also help you save on storage space and money since you don’t need to keep buying new batteries. You only need to recharge them every time they run out of power. Also, remember to dispose your electronic items properly to help reduce toxic contamination into the environment.

Natural Personal Care

A lot of the products we use for personal care have ingredients like microplastics that do not decompose and end up polluting the oceans and killing marine life. They may also contain chemicals that are toxic to the soil and can kill vegetation. If these can harm the environment; how can it not be harmful to our bodies as well? So on your next shopping run for personal care items, look for products with natural ingredients as they are also biodegradable. You can even create your own beauty remedies at home. There are many shampoo and conditioner bars that are great eco-friendly alternatives to bottled shampoo. They are also very convenient to pack when traveling.

Reusable Shopping Bags

Nowadays, eco bags are easily available as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic grocery bags and paper bags. Invest in a good eco bag that’s made of sturdy material such as canvas which are also washable. Or you can opt for one that’s easy to clean with just the wipe of a washcloth for grocery items that tend to be moist or wet. There are also biodegradable trash bags for lining your garbage cans at home. Plastic bags are one of the most common plastic wastes collected in landfills and making their way into the oceans, poisoning marine life.

These are just some of the item swaps that you can implement right away as your first step into a more sustainable lifestyle.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Anna Oliinyk on Unsplash.

Apr

2021

Simple Ways To Help Save the Planet

Reading Time: 3 minutes

There are simple actions that we do each day that are harming the environment. Remember that we only have one planet, if we are not going to take care of it, who else will? The good news is that all of us have the power to if not reverse at least stop further damage to the earth. We only have to do it together. Every action counts. Here are simple ways to help save the planet:

1.Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The best way to save the environment is to reduce the waste being produced. We can do this by reusing items instead of throwing them after a single use. Household items that we can reuse include boxes, containers, glass jars, papers, plastic bags, plastic spoons and forks and many other household items. To recycle means using items for a different purpose instead of discarding them right away. Items that be recycled include clothes, plastic containers, newspapers, steel cans and food wastes.

2.Buy Organic Products

Organic farming benefits the environment. It helps reduce pollution and soil erosion. It also conserves water and increases soil fertility. In addition, organic farming uses 45% less energy compared to regular farms. Thus, by purchasing organic products especially in your local community; you are actually doing your share in helping the planet.

3. Conserve Water and Energy

Conserving water can keep the water pure and clean. It also minimizes the effect of water shortages. It also helps reduce your household expenses. There are many ways to conserve water at home. You can do simple things like:

Turning off the water when not in use
Checking toilets and faucets for leaks
Using dishwashers and washing machines only in full load
Watering the plants during cool parts of the day

Likewise, energy conservation is also important for the environment. Reducing energy consumption can help lessen air pollution. There are many ways to reduce energy consumption at home. You can do things like:

Turning off lights when not in use
Washing clothes in cold water
Unplugging unused electronics
Using LED lights

4. Go Paperless

Going digital has a lot of advantages. Not only does it improve efficiency, it also saves money. In addition, it also gives you access anytime wherever you may be. An added bonus, it is good for the environment too.

5. Patronize Eco-Friendly Companies

Many companies out there already started with their environmental initiatives. As consumers, you can help the environment by supporting environmentally-friendly and sustainable products. At the same time, boycott brands that are not helping the environment at all.

6. Plant a Tree

Trees give us oxygen. They also purify the air by storing the harmful carbon dioxide. They prevent soil erosion and maintain humidity levels. Trees also provide shelter for wildlife. The human race will not be able to survive without plants and trees. However, it is a fact that there is massive deforestation happening right now. So, we must help by planting a tree. You can plant a tree in your backyard. You can also join tree planting activities. If planting is not your thing, you can just donate and have others plant the tree for you.

7. Segregate Wastes

Poor waste management results in land, air and even water pollution. Combined with hazardous materials, the trash that we throw is not only harmful to the environment but detrimental to our health as well.

8. Use Your Voice

You don’t need to be active in any environmental organization to be an environmentalist. You can actually use your voice to talk and influence your family, friends. neighbors and colleagues. Speak up and make your voice heard by the people around you.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay