The wave of eco-consciousness has picked up speed in the last few years, with more people taking interest in double-checking that their actions are environmentally friendly. With the climate – both in the political and in the real sense, changing, it is important to make sure that you are doing your part when you can. The state of the environment is something that’s important both on a global and on a personal level for everyone. With that in mind, there are several main reasons why you should switch to eco-friendly products that you should consider.
1. More Effective
Since eco-friendly products are relatively new on the market, they have to compete with a lot of previously established ones. That means that most of the time, they work better than their traditional counterparts because they have to convince people to actually make the switch. Whether you want to start using paper sheet detergent which is not completely non-toxic to the environment and completely biodegradable, but is also hypoallergenic.
Or, you want to go for an eco-friendly sunscreen. This is because the percentages of zinc oxide are much higher than in traditional sunscreens, or you want to start using organic shampoo. Chances are that you will actually notice a difference when you switch. Of course, you don’t have to throw out the things you already have. As your old products run out, you will be able to replace them with eco-friendly ones and the switch will not feel like a sacrifice at all.
2. Better Health
One of the things that set green products apart from other ones is the ingredients list. Items that really are eco-friendly will be free of a lot of toxins that are otherwise commonly used in the manufacturing process. Of course, a great example of this is organic farming, which is based on the idea of sustainable agriculture while using natural fertilizers and pest control. This means that by buying organic food, you will actually be eating better. Organic fruits and vegetables are completely free of synthetic pesticides which can cause all sorts of health problems.
Organic farming also bans the use of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) in their processes. When you eat organic, you are not only eating better, but you are taking care of your body as well. While this is the most common example of how eco-friendly products can benefit your health, it’s far from the only one. Things like the chemicals found in traditional household cleaning products can accumulate in your system and cause problems, while organic ones are free of them.
3. Add Meaning To Daily Tasks
Every life has a meaning, naturally. However, with the number of daily tasks and the amount of stress the modern fast-paced lifestyle brings, it can be easy to lose sight of what brings meaning to your life. Simply put, by using eco-friendly products, you’re taking part in something important that can benefit not only you but Earth as a whole. Not only that, but you’re doing it in a way that reminds you of the positive impact you’re making on a daily basis.
Every time you do a load of laundry using green products, take a shower, wash your dishes or vacuum the house, you are doing something important both to yourself and to your world. This adds meaning to every action that you take, which can have a positive effect on your overall mood and make you feel more driven and content.
4. Helps The Local Economy
It’s no secret that gas emissions have a lot to do with the way our environment is changing. When you switch to eco-friendly products, that means you’ll be buying locally produced products to a much greater extent, which benefits the local economy as well as the environment as a whole. It should be said that there are some companies that do their business in a way that produces a negative carbon footprint. This is despite the transportation needed to deliver their goods, which is highly commendable.
However, those are still in the minority. Thus, buying items made in your area is still the best way to make sure you’re doing your part. It’s also good on a human level – you are helping to create a friendly market for small businesses that otherwise might have trouble getting their products out there.
5. Reduce Plastic Waste
Biodegradability and other types of environmental packaging are a big part of what makes eco-friendly products what they are. That means you won’t have to worry about plastic waste floating around. This is one of the main concerns for environmentalists these days. Perhaps even better, some companies actually take the effort of doing something about it by getting rid of plastic altogether in the production process. This means they either use more eco-friendly and biodegradable materials (like paper and glass), or some innovative solutions. Hemp is a great example, which is 100% recyclable and can be used for almost anything.
In places where a significant number of people have reached a high level of environmental consciousness, the government had no choice but to take steps to contribute to a greener world as well. In those areas, there are local policies that ban the use of plastic bags from stores or even from taking them altogether. What this does is not only protect the environment but also empower people to take care of it. This alone is a major driving force for our society’s collective consciousness on an environmental level.
6. Protects Animals
The meat industry has recently received an immense amount of criticism for the way it treats animals. While this wave of criticism is far from dying down, the question is now more about how our society should deal with it, since there are people on both sides of the fence.
One thing is certain: eco-friendly products can help you avoid animal exploitation greatly. When you buy meat, eggs, milk, or any other animal product that’s organic and locally sourced, you not only avoid supporting large-scale farming which is often harmful to the environment but also directly supports small farmers who follow sustainable practices and provide a better life for the animals. This makes it easier for everyone to do their part in protecting our planet without compromising on their personal lives.
Apart from that, plastic landfills and ocean pollution has a devastating impact on the wildlife that’s exposed to them. By reducing your contribution, you’re going a long way towards protecting the life of various species and the ecosystems they live in.
These are just a few of the main reasons why you should start buying eco-friendly products. Not only does it mean that we’ll be able to live in a society where people take care of their environment and help each other do so as well, but also that we’re making our future generations happier and safer.
The great thing about this is that it’s a win-win situation for everyone involved – no matter if you’re a small business owner or a customer, or whether your field of expertise is the environment or not, making the switch to eco-friendly products will definitely pay off in more ways than one.