3 Steps for Eco-Conscious Consumption
With the ongoing issue of climate change—resulting in raging California wildfires and threatening hurricanes in the Atlantic basin—there has never been a better time to integrate more sustainable practices into our lifestyles. Overconsumption is a primary cause of the current climate crisis. As we consume more and more, we swallow the planet’s resources 1.7 times faster than it can replenish itself (Earth Overshoot Day). Materialism, particularly in the United States, threatens our planet and our own well-being. So, whether you’re looking to integrate some eco-friendly strategies into your home, or aiming to lower your consumption footprint, there are several steps you can take to become a more eco-conscious consumer. Continue reading to learn more!
1. Minimize plastic use & pollution
Littered water bottles and bags are visible to everyone as they populate our streets. However, plastic waste invisible to the naked eye is equally dangerous. Up to 64% of new clothes contain plastic fibers that aren’t visible (Friends of the Earth). Apparel production is linked to environmental ills and water pollution due to the production of synthetic textiles.
Shedded during normal use and laundering, these plastic threads linger in the environment and make their way to the sea, ending up in the stomachs of fish. Being cognizant of the unsustainable practices of clothing retailers and textile companies is important so that you can help stem the flow of toxic microfibers into the environment.
2. Avoid palm oil
Palm oil is used in approximately 50% of the products we use on a daily basis since it is cheap to cultivate (Fix). A wide range of items, from cosmetics like fragrances and shampoos to foods like cookies and instant noodles, all have palm oil in them. However, producing palm oil destroys habitats that house tropical oil palm trees, furthering deforestation, environmental degradation, and animal habitat loss. While some individuals believe that simply finding an alternative to palm oil will help fix the effects of this unsustainable material, the World Wildlife Fund has admitted that there is no viable alternative.
Therefore, choosing palm-oil-free products is incredibly important. Another option is to purchase products made with sustainable palm oil, developed by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil. When shopping, look for items that are RSPO-certified. The negative outcomes of using palm oil outweigh the benefit of easy access, so make the choice to shop palm-oil-free or, at the very least, for sustainably-produced palm oil.
3. Learn to identify corporate greenwashing
As sustainability efforts increase in the 21st century, there are even greater consequences to corporate greenwashing. Greenwashing refers to “the process of conveying a false impression or providing misleading information about how a company’s products are more environmentally sound” (Investopedia). Greenwashing is intended to not be noticed by the everyday consumer, so it is often hard to spot.
With some effort, however, you can identify a company’s greenwashing advertising if they: claim a product is sustainable based on one environmental attribute, don’t have a third-party certification to vouch for their “eco-friendly” product, make a false sustainability claim, and declare a product more environmentally friendly than others in the same product category (Academia). You can tackle the issue of greenwashing by becoming more aware of unsustainable industry practices and advocating for appropriate legislation to respond to greenwashing advertising.
Conscious consumerism is important since it helps reform wasteful consumption practices and presents many areas of improvement for individuals in relation to sustainability—from what you eat to what you wear. In today’s world, individuals have an excellent opportunity to engage with environmental initiatives and influence production decisions through eco-friendly consumption. Starting with small, effective changes can lead to massive environmental impacts in the long run, which will help keep our planet healthy and safe.
