Have you ever thought of how the products you purchase affect the environment?
As consumers become more environmentally conscious, they are looking beyond pricing and considering the impact the products they buy have on the environment.
Consumers are considering a product’s lifecycle, how the raw materials used to make it are sourced, and the processes and people used to manufacture it from start to finish.
A significant reason for this is that the products we buy can have a negative environmental and health impact on us and our surroundings.
Therefore, we must educate ourselves about the impact of our purchases on the health of the planet.
What is sustainable purchasing?
Sustainable purchasing, also known as environmentally preferable purchasing, is buying products that do not harm our health, community, and environment.
Every product you buy affects the planet during its environmental life cycle.
Sustainable purchasing involves considering the environmental and social impact of our shopping choices by looking at the ingredients, raw materials, processes, and people used to make them.
Some examples of places where you can find sustainable products are farmers markets, eco–friendly grocery stores, and second–hand shops.
What are sustainable purchases?
Sustainable purchases are eco–friendly, biodegradable, cruelty–free, fairly traded, and energy-efficient. They are made from recycled or recyclable materials such as canvas, organic cotton, coconut shells, jute, and bamboo.
They do not contain harmful chemicals or preservatives or consume too much water or energy during production, which is the reason they have a low carbon footprint.
Sustainable purchasing also involves making smart choices when buying products, for example, by opting for locally-produced items or investing in carbon-neutral shipping to reduce your carbon footprint.
Another option is to buy products with reusable and recyclable packaging that decomposes easily, ensuring there is less waste in our waterways and landfills.
Additionally, sustainable products use fairly compensated labor.
These products are supported by organizations and legal entities that certify and enforce the legal compliance of environmentally friendly consumer products, such as Fair Trade USA, Energy Star, and the Rainforest Alliance.
Some examples of sustainable purchases are;
- Eco-friendly personal care products like shampoos, toothpaste, lotions, and cosmetics made from ingredients that do not irritate the skin, such as vegetable oils, herbs, and essential oils that are packaged in recyclable packaging.
- Eco–friendly clothing and sustainable footwear made from materials such as hemp, linen, soy silk, vegetable leather, and recycled materials like plastic bottles. These clothing items do not require a lot of energy or water to produce, and they are made without harsh dyes and chemicals.
- Eco–friendly house décor, such as sustainable furniture made from natural materials like cork and reclaimed wood that is durable and easy to maintain.
- Eco-friendly cleaning products that are chemical–free and biodegradable. These products are manufactured with natural ingredients such as essential oils, minerals, non–hazardous solvents, and plant extracts.
- Energy-efficient vehicles that minimize fuel consumption and have a minimum green score of 40. An example is e-vehicles and e-bikes that run on electricity alone and those that run on low-carbon-emitting fuels.
How do our sustainable purchases affect the environment?
The impact of our purchases on the environment is determined by the materials and manufacturing processes used to make them, as well as the garbage generated during their production.
For instance, fossil fuels contribute to carbon emissions and climate change. Therefore, we must consciously purchase products made using renewable energy because they preserve the earth’s biodiversity.
Choosing products made from recycled or upcycled materials lowers pollution and reduces the waste in our landfills, thereby protecting human and animal health.
Benefits of sustainable purchases
There are several benefits of making sustainable purchases that make it healthier for the planet. These are;
1. Reduces energy use
Sustainable products are Energy Star efficient. They are designed to reduce our energy use by lowering electricity consumption, reducing our ecological footprint, and contributing to a greener environment.
Recycled and upcycled products also limit our consumption of new products, which require more energy to produce, thereby minimizing energy use.
2. Protects ecosystems
Sustainable purchases are made using natural materials produced through sustainable agricultural methods that preserve the health of our biodiversity.
These materials, such as organic cotton, are usually recyclable and biodegradable, which means they can be transformed into other products or disposed of safely, ensuring they do not pollute our soils and waterways.
Sustainable purchases do not harm wildlife and their habitats, thereby preserving the resources on our planet and our delicate ecosystem.
3. Prevents waste
Choosing sustainable purchases saves natural resources. Many of these products are energy efficient or use renewable energy, thereby minimizing greenhouse gas emissions that harm the environment.
Buying recycled or reusable products made from recycled materials prevents wastage of natural resources, too.
Sustainable purchases are also packaged in recyclable materials such as cardboard and reusable containers like bamboo that reduce the waste in our landfills and encourage consumers to reuse and compost containers.
Many sustainable products are durable and of high quality; therefore, they last longer, lessening the impact of consumer goods on the environment.
Purchasing organic foods produced sustainably also encourages farmers to invest in sustainable agriculture, thereby preserving our soils from pollution and promoting biodiversity.
4. Safer for the community
Sustainable purchases safeguard the health of people in our communities by reducing health risks, saving money, and encouraging social responsibility.
These products are also made under ethical working conditions, protecting workers’ rights and giving consumers the satisfaction of knowing the products they buy are cruelty–free.
By purchasing and using these products in our homes and workplaces, we can create healthier living spaces.
5. Encourage innovation
Sustainable products are often produced using innovative processes and materials that provide environmentally and socially beneficial solutions to communities.
By choosing eco-friendly products, we support companies that follow environmentally friendly policies and innovative business practices. This, in turn, encourages other businesses to choose sustainability-based production processes, resulting in a widespread positive impact on our planet.
In general, purchasing sustainable products that are made using innovative green technologies and manufacturing processes lessens the burden on our ecosystem.
It also promotes a harmonious relationship between our consumption and the conservation of environmental resources, reducing the effect of climate change.
Conclusion
Those are 5 reasons sustainable purchases are the key to a healthier planet. By learning the benefits of sustainable living on our planet, we can incorporate sustainability into our daily lives.
Sustainable shopping is an effective way of protecting our environmental resources for future generations. It is essential for creating healthier living spaces, protecting our wildlife, and safeguarding our health.
By adopting wise buying habits and a green lifestyle, we can enjoy the positive products while taking care of the well–being of Mother Earth.