TOP 5 Eco-friendly Principles to Conserve Earth's Resources

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

Recently, more and more people are talking about the ecology of consumption. She is also conscious consumption, ethical consumption, eco-shopping. It is about buying and using material goods not only for your own pleasure or profit, but with the thought that they should be produced with minimal harm to people, animals, and nature. And also use them as long as possible, and then properly dispose of.

Where did the trend come from? Not everyone thinks about it, but the production of any goods is harmful to the environment. And not only to her, because in the pursuit of cheapness, many companies use the penny labor of residents of poor countries, not always providing them with normal working conditions.

The modern consumer society is jaded. It got used to the fact that there is something new in stores every day, that a couple of months after the release of the product there are sales and promotions, and then new collections. We do not always appreciate what we have and are chasing new things. Even if we don't really need it, it was inexpensive or just liked it. A huge amount of goods end up in landfills, where they will decompose for centuries. For example, some fashion brands are destroying unsold products, as giving them away at deep discounts or second-hand items would damage their reputation.

Three basic rules for sustainable consumption:

Consume less.

Use for longer.

Recycle more.

Eco-friendly consumption is the most talked about in developed countries. According to polls, most often young women without children with an income level above the average "bother" with it. This is understandable - if you don't have to worry about everyday problems, if you have what to wear and what to eat, if everything is fine in general, a lot of free time and free money, you can think about saving the planet. The fact remains: eco-bio products, safe packaging, beautiful clothes made from recycled materials, natural cosmetics are more expensive than their “ordinary” counterparts.

However, the three principles outlined above are available to everyone. And the current fashion for eco-shopping is a positive phenomenon that draws attention to the problems of the planet and the ways that will save it from environmental disaster. Let's talk about what you can do personally.

Cloth

Buy less. Conduct a wardrobe revision, seriously consider whether you need another item, even if it is on sale at a huge discount.

Wear for longer. If the item is in good condition (no permanent stains or holes), it makes little sense to change it to a new one. To keep your wardrobe items "marketable" longer, follow the care instructions on the tags

Don't throw things away. You can always find where to attach them - give them to friends, those in need (at least by an ad), for recycling (in many cities there are boxes for unnecessary things), but at least through a service like svalka.me.ru. Some stores (Monki, H&M, Rendez-Vous) accept textiles for recycling and give discount coupons in return. The most important thing is not to send things to rot in a landfill.

Repair your clothes. Sewing up a small hole or replacing a zipper is not so difficult, in any workshop they will do it for a small amount.

Buy from hands. This principle is not suitable for everyone, but there is not much difference between second-hand clothes and a dress in a fashion store, which someone has tried on or at least touched more than once. In addition, you can find new things in second-hand shops - unrealized leftovers, gifts you don't like. You can also negotiate with friends and have a party with the exchange of unnecessary things. Often, such meetings are organized at the level of districts, cities, it is enough to follow the news on social networks.

Products

Buy and cook just as much as you need so you don't waste any excess.

Support local producers. In this case, the path of the goods to the buyer is shortened, which makes the purchase more ethical and environmentally friendly.

Choose farm products. They tend to be fresher and tastier. Don't support corporations that don't always use sustainable production methods.

Discard plastic bags. It is better to buy not packaged fruits, but by weight. And put them not in a plastic bag, but in a reusable fabric mesh. In it, vegetables and fruits will "breathe" when stored at home. Such nets can be bought in many stores, but at least order on AliExpress.

Do not take disposable bags from stores, but stock up on a shopping bag. There are now a huge number of them, colors for every taste. We love the options that can be collapsed so they don't take up space and can always be in your bag or pocket.

According to Greenpeace, 500,000,000,000 plastic bags are used worldwide every year. Not all are sent for processing (and not all are subject to it), but from landfills they get into water and soil. You can now find biodegradable bags in stores, but they are also harmful to the environment (more on the Greenpeace website). If possible, it is better to choose textile or paper counterparts, although they are more expensive. And if you still have plastic bags lying around, use them as long as possible, do not throw them away after once.

Use reusable coffee cups and water bottles to avoid unnecessary packaging purchases. There are bottles with built-in filters that can be filled with tap water.

Discard disposable tableware. Agree, this is a whim that almost immediately becomes trash.

Don't neglect products that look imperfect. An asymmetrical apple or a banana that has come off a bunch is no worse than its "congeners". At the same time, there is a great chance that they will be thrown away as unsold leftovers. This also applies to products with an expiration date. If you're going to make chicken or eat yogurt today, why choose the freshest? In addition, stores often offer discounts on products with a short shelf life.

Share or exchange. Didn't like a product? Do not have time to eat your cooked food? Opened packaging near expiration date? You should not throw it away, you can offer it to friends, neighbors, but at least give it away for free according to an ad.

Energetic resources

Turn off the lights in rooms where you are not. This is not only ecology, but also economy.

Use energy saving bulbs or LEDs, they last ten times longer than old bulbs.

Get rid of old electrical appliances that consume a lot of energy. But do not throw them in regular trash, give them for recycling. Where exactly, you can read here or on this site.

Do not run the appliances just like that: a half-filled washing machine or dishwasher, a kettle with water for one cup.

Means of transport

For large cities with traffic jams, a reasonable alternative to the car is public transport.

If you need a car, but not regularly, it is better to use a taxi or caravan.

If you can't do without a personal car, choose modern models, as they pollute the environment less. Ideally electric or hybrid models.

Cosmetics and household "non-chemicals"

Give preference to preparations made to the maximum of natural ingredients, not tested on animals.

Try to choose household "non-chemistry", as it is less harmful to nature. Products of such brands as Pure Water, Molecola, Freshbubble, Sodasan, Ecover, Mi & Co. wash kitchens and bathrooms well, remove stains, wash and bleach. But, of course, they are not that affordable.

Waste sorting

Many countries already use containers for different types of waste. In Russia, too, although not everywhere. It is better to strive for waste separation whenever possible, even if it takes more time and effort. You can read more on the website of the Prostorazdelyay.rf project. Use Recyclemap to find recycling points in your city.

Pay special attention to batteries, light bulbs, electronic waste. They may contain hazardous components.

Once again, we will repeat - if possible, discard the plastic bags. Scientists predict that by 2050 the world's oceans will have more polyethylene than fish! And even garbage bags are better off. How to live without them, Greenpeace advises.

In conclusion, we will mention another principle of the advocates of conscious consumption - spend money not on things, but on impressions! Traveling, skydiving, learning a foreign language, dancing lessons and so on - the main thing is to make you feel good!

By the way, about travel - to take care of the planet, it is recommended to choose vacation spots in your region (less travel and flights).