When you take a look at hot button topics around the world today, the state of the environment tends to rank high on everyone’s list. Never before have people been so conscious and so well-informed of the footprint that is being left behind on the planet. It is for that reason that more and more people are also looking to make more sustainable and conscious purchase decisions in their life, from the small items right to the biggest purchases.
The desire to leave a small footprint and create as little waste as possible runs high with people today.
If this is the direction you’ve been wanting to take in your own life, but aren’t exactly sure where to start, here are some tips that can help.
Investigate the Product’s Social or Environmental Benefits
In order for a product to be sustainable, it needs to have specific social or environmental benefits. What this means is that it is benefiting the environment in some way, or a social cause that helps to better the lives of others.
While this may sound confusing, manufacturers make the process easier by including labels and tags on these products so you can identify them. You can look for labels such as Greenguard, Forest Stewardship Council, ECOLOGO, Fair Trade, Energy Star, and EPEAT just to name a few.
Look Closely at the Materials Used
Another tip is to look closely at the materials that are used. Ideally, you want to use a product with recycled material. Anything that contains toxic substances should be avoided since this is harmful to the environment. And it’s not just the product itself; question the packaging that is being used too.
Throwaway Items Are a Hard Pass
A really simple tip to keep in mind is that any throwaway item is a hard pass. This means things such as plastic shopping bags that you use once and then throw away, disposable razors, individual serving packages, paper napkins, plastic cutlery, and straws; the list goes on and on. Replace these items with reusable products and items that can last longer.
Even Your Home Can be More Sustainable
Now, this is obviously a purchase that not everyone is in the market for, but it’s still important to understand that you can make a sustainable choice where housing is concerned. You may not be in the market right now, but will be in the very near future.
Look for homes and builders who boast sustainable practices and materials, and can back that up with results. The Sustainable 9 Blog is an excellent resource to check out, as it is dedicated to modern and sustainable methods and design in general, which includes home designs. These mountain modern home builders are a great example of using sustainable materials that will help lessen your footprint.
A Smaller Footprint Will Be Left Behind
These are just a few small tips to help you get started in living a more sustainable lifestyle. Remember, sustainability touches every aspect of your life so there are always ways you can be making environmentally conscious decisions.
