How to Become Eco-Friendly?

Earth Day

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22nd to raise awareness and support for environmental protection and conservation efforts. The origins of Earth Day can be traced back to 1968, when Morton Hilbert, in collaboration with the U.S. Public Health Service, organized an environmental conference for students called the Human Ecology Symposium. This conference aimed to educate about the effects of environmental degradation on human health. 

For the next two years, Hilbert and the students worked on planning the first Earth Day. In April 1970, along with a federal proclamation from U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, the first Earth Day was officially held. This day motivated the U.S. Congress to develop some of the most significant environmental legislation.

Since the first Earth Day ever celebrated, celebrations have increasingly grown year by year and more than a billion people worldwide participate in this global event each year. 

Energy saving, climate change, global warming, green living, and investing in our planet are some of the themes used to focus on ways to improve the environment of our planet.

What Does It Mean to Be Eco-Friendly? 

Today words like “eco-friendly”, “environmental-friendly” or “planet-friendly” have joined the vocabulary of media, education, marketing, organizations, etc., and of course, are being widely used to promote environmental protection. 

Being eco-friendly means living in a way that is conscious of the impact on the environment. It is about recognizing that the choices we make in our daily lives can have a significant effect on the planet, and about taking steps to minimize that impact. 

Environmentally conscious people, even organizations on their own, are taking action toward being more eco-friendly. People are making changes in their lifestyles and their old habits opting for more pro-environmental behaviors.  

How to Become Eco-Friendly?

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

Reduce, reuse, and recycle are three important concepts that we can all apply in our daily lives to help protect the environment.

Reducing consumption is one of the best ways to decrease the impact on the planet. We can do this by only buying what we need, avoiding single-use products, and opting for products with minimal packaging.

Reusing items is a great way to cut down on waste and save money. Before throwing something away, we should ask ourselves if it could be used for another purpose. For example, glass jars can be used to store food or as a vase for flowers.

Recycling is another essential way to reduce waste. We should ensure that we recycle all materials that are accepted in our community recycling program. This includes paper, plastic, glass, and metal.

Sustainable Transportation

The transportation sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing these emissions is essential for mitigating the effects of climate change.

One way to make transportation more sustainable is by using public transportation. This includes buses, trains, and subways, which can help minimize traffic congestion and emissions from personal vehicles. Another option is to walk or bike, especially for short distances. This not only reduces emissions but also promotes physical activity and can save money on gas and maintenance costs.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are another sustainable transportation option that is becoming more popular. EVs produce zero emissions, and as the electricity grid becomes cleaner, their environmental benefits will only increase. Hybrid vehicles, which use a combination of gas and electricity, are also a good option for reducing emissions.

Simplify Purchasing Habits

Simplifying our purchasing habits is a powerful way to promote a more sustainable and environmentally conscious lifestyle. One way to do it is by focusing on buying only what we need. This means resisting the urge to buy things on impulse or because they are on sale.

Another way to simplify our purchasing habits is to go for quality over quantity. This means choosing products that are well-made and will last longer, rather items that will wear out quickly.

Another good purchasing habit is to buy from local and sustainable businesses. 

Switch to Renewable Energy

Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower produce energy without emitting harmful greenhouse gases, which makes them a much cleaner and more sustainable option than traditional fossil fuels. 

Transitioning to renewable energy sources can involve various actions, such as installing solar panels, utilization of energy-efficient appliances, supporting renewable energy policies, etc. This can help reduce carbon footprint and mitigate negative effects on climate. 

Other eco-friendly habits include:

• Switching the lights and other electronic equipment when unused
• Conserving water and not leaving it running while washing hands, face, and/or teeth
• Choosing to read online instead of using hardcopies helps save trees, energy, and water
• Growing your own garden contributes to a healthier lifestyle and environment
• Separate waste at source, especially plastic, glass, and paper, for easier recycling
• Take old clothes, furniture, books, and equipment to second-hand stores
• Avoid using plastic or paper disposable cups. The use of a real glass/cup or reusable tumblers helps reduce landfill waste produced by disposable cups
• Replace ordinary light bulbs with high-efficiency ones (CFL bulbs or LED bulbs)

Eco-Friendly Tips for Organizations

There are several ways in which businesses can become more eco-friendly:

• Going paperless and accelerating digital transformation
• Energy-saving practices
• Using water efficiently
• Adopting environmentally friendly and sustainable practices
• Providing eco-friendly products and services
• Calculating and managing the carbon footprint
• Developing a waste management plan
• Initiating social responsibility projects
• Volunteering in tree planting and tree care projects
• Investing in renewable resources
• Reducing energy cost

Environmentally friendly business practices not only benefit the environment but also help the organization save money. Today, more and more organizations are trying to lessen the harm they cause to the environment by controlling the impact of their actions, products, and services.

ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Standard

ISO 14001 is a standard for environmental management systems that provides a framework for organizations to identify and manage their environmental impact. By implementing ISO 14001, organizations can establish policies and procedures for managing their environmental impact, monitor and measure their environmental performance, and continually improve their environmental performance over time.

ISO 50001 Energy Management System Standard

ISO 50001 is a standard for energy management systems that provides a framework for organizations to improve their energy efficiency and reduce their energy consumption. Implementing ISO 50001 allows organizations to follow a specific framework that helps them achieve continual improvement in energy performance, efficiency, usage, and consumption.

About the Author

Vlerë Hyseni is the Digital Content Officer at PECB. She is in charge of doing research, creating, and developing digital content for a variety of industries. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact her at: content@pecb.com