To live our lives, we have to consume things to some capacity. When you buy any product, regardless of what it is, it has an impact on the environment. You can’t have a net positive interaction when consuming resources because new things inevitably come at a cost. What you can do though, is choose products with the least amount of impact.
With corporate bandwagoning only becoming more prevalent, greenwashing is a huge problem. So, how can you find a product that has less of an impact without getting swindled by inaccurate company claims? Use these easy tips and you’ll be able to navigate finding the most eco-friendly option:
1. Look at the label.
The label of a product can relay a ton of information. First, the label tells you what ingredients are in a product. Ingredients used can have a major effect on the environment so it’s important to understand what goes into the product you’re buying. For example, you should avoid ingredients like microbeads, palm oil, and oxybenzone because of their documented negative effects on the environment. Ingredients that are biodegradable, organic, vegan, and fair-trade are great things to choose instead. By learning what ingredients are going into the things you use you’ll be able to choose the more socially and environmentally responsible option!
To make sure these ingredient claims are verified, look for third-party certifications listed on the label. Third-party certifications are a surefire way to tell if a company is actually selling a more conscious product. A detailed and informative label with some sort of third-party verification is one of the most dependable ways to verify a company’s green claims. Some certifications I tend to look for are USDA Organic, Fair Trade Certified, Rainforest Alliance, Forest Stewardship Council, and Leaping Bunny certifications.
2. Look at the whole picture.
When deciding if a product is better for the environment, you should also look at the whole picture. This is everything from how the product gets to you, the packaging, the ingredients, and the company behind the product. Looking at the whole picture will help you understand the true cost of something so you can adjust your actions accordingly. Companies committed to ending our linear system of overconsumption or being more responsible should be supported over companies that make false claims.
Getting an overview of a company’s shipping practices and packaging choices are great ways to see the true cost of a product. When searching for eco-conscious products, the emissions that come from the shipping sector and the waste that comes from certain types of packaging can’t be ignored. For instance, a product made of or packaged with plastic is going to have a worse overall effect on the environment than a product that is recyclable or compostable. So, choosing products and supporting companies that are committed to sustainability is truly impactful. Looking at the whole picture gives you a clear idea of what goes into creating that product to determine if that product is eco-friendly.
3. Look for reusable or recycled products.
Seeing if a product is reusable or made of recycled materials is also a great way to gauge its environmental impact. The same concept of looking at the ingredients applies, some materials are generally more harmful than others. A major consequence of our overconsumption is how these products persevere and affect our environment.
A product made from reclaimed or recycled materials is taking waste out of the landfill by putting it to use again. This lessens the strain put on the environment because new materials aren’t needed. Reaching for reusable products instead of disposable ones also lessens resource use by expending resources for one thing, instead of many. There is an initial cost, but the impact is less than if you were constantly consuming resources. So, looking at a product’s reusability or materials are great ways to tell if a product is an eco-conscious choice.
Avoid greenwashing by:
- Looking at the label.
- Looking at the whole picture.
- Looking for reusable or recycled products.
By using these tips you’ll be able to avoid consumer pitfalls and successfully shop for Earth-friendly products. We are responsible for lessening our impact on the planet so, let’s buy less and buy better. With these tips, you’ll learn to be an informed consumer and make eco-conscious purchases.