What is Eco-Friendly?

Everything you do can have a significant impact on the environment. Every activity has a carbon footprint they can either be helpful or harmful to the environment. 

Given that the term ‘eco-friendly’ is seen practically everywhere these days, it has almost become ambiguous. People use it to mean all sorts of different things. 

Upon realizing this ambiguity, I was inspired to write this post. Today, I want to take a closer look at what eco-friendly really means and how you can make your home or property as eco-friendly as possible.

What is Eco-Friendly?

The simple definition of eco-friendly is “not environmentally harmful.” But to truly understand it, we need to look beyond its definition. 

Eco-friendly, or green, living promotes methods and practices that are safe for the environment. If you want to get technical, just about everything has some kind of impact on the environment. However, certain products and practices cause less harm than others. 

This is why many people prefer to use the term “sustainable” rather than “eco-friendly.” A sustainable product, as opposed to an eco-friendly one, has at least one attribute that is better for the environment. Striving to cause as little harm to the environment can go a long way, despite the potential additional workload and costs.

Ways to be more eco-friendly include:

• Limit the use of plastics, especially single-use plastics
• Reduce energy use
• Reuse things as much as possible, whenever you can
• Conserve water
• Cook food at home
• Eat locally and shop at farmer’s markets
• Bike, walk, carpool, or use public transportation as much as possible
• Grow your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs
• Recycle

Benefits of Being Eco-Friendly

Reduced Carbon Footprint

One of the major benefits of environmentally friendly practices is the potential to reduce your carbon footprint. But, what does that mean?

Your carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions that are released into the atmosphere.

Improved Health

Being earth friendly also means using eco-friendly products that don’t have toxic chemicals, as well as avoiding any production process that exposes you to harmful substances. Doing so can significantly reduce your risk of illnesses like asthma, respiratory diseases, and cancer.

Additionally, biking, walking, and using public transportation instead of driving can help reduce air pollution and improve the air quality in your neighborhood. Improving the air quality promotes better respiratory health while also reducing the risk of heart disease. 

Perhaps the most surprising health benefit of being eco-friendly is the impact on your mental health. Studies have shown that people who spend time in green spaces have lower stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also improve your overall well-being. This is the big one for me and Cure Designs is always inspired by my time in nature!

Greater Biodiversity

Another benefit of eco-friendly practices like recycling and minimizing waste is that they reduce the amount of waste that winds up in landfills. This is another effective way to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions while also saving and protecting the natural habitats of wildlife.

Reduced Energy Consumption And Lower Electricity Bills

There are also a bunch of ways property owners can save money while also reducing their reliance on fossil fuels. When you invest in green products like energy-efficient appliances, lighting, and insulation, you get the added benefit of lower electricity bills. Modern solutions like solar panels to harness solar energy and wind turbines can dramatically cut costs.

Additionally, using products made from recycled materials rather than single-use plastic will reduce plastic waste. Being more mindful of the amount of water, energy, and raw materials you use can reduce your environmental impact and conserve these important natural resources. 

Hope For Future Generations

With all this talk about going green comes a lot of fear-mongering. We often hear about how future generations are doomed unless we act now to protect our planet. 

There’s no need to panic, but sustainable movements do have the power to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and every little bit helps. 

How are you working to be more eco-friendly?

Whether it’s for yourself or future generations, how are you striving to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle? Maybe you’ve switched to greener cleaning products or prioritized energy efficiency in your home. 

No matter what you’re doing, whether it feels big or small, each action helps our environment. That’s certainly something to be proud of! 

For more insight into green living, property ownership, and more, head over to the Cure Designs blog!