Is the Push for Eco Friendly Products Really Making a Difference?
There are literally thousands of eco-friendly products available on the market today. That is to say, these products are ADVERTISED as being eco-friendly. Many consumers swear by these products, while just as many (or more) consumers avoid purchasing the same products due to skepticism.
In a perfect world, every product would be eco-friendly. The environment would certainly fare much better if that were the case. But, unfortunately, that will never happen. It’s a complete impossibility.
The good news is that there are many products, with the promise of this benefit attached, that are actually good for the environment in one way or another. Here are a few products that really do make a difference and the reasons why.
Cloth Diapers
Yes, disposable diapers are convenient. But, that convenience needs to be weighed against the fact that they are very expensive, and pose a major problem environmentally. Are you aware that by the time the average child is potty trained, it’s possible for him or her to go through one TON of disposable diapers?
According to recent statistics, disposable diapers are among the top three common items that currently clutter up our landfills. They are non-biodegradable, which means they remain there for at least 500 years. It’s not unheard of for the waste contained in all of these diapers to seep into the groundwater either. It’s a situation that’s dangerous for everyone.
Energy-Saving Light Bulbs
Energy-saving (LED) light bulbs have been available for many years. Unfortunately, usage is not as widespread as it could be. This is due, in part, to the fact that they’re initially more expensive than their fluorescent counterpart. However, each bulb lasts up to ten years. When you take that into consideration, it adds up to huge savings.
Many consumers are unaware that when a fluorescent light bulb breaks, it releases mercury vapor into the air. Mercury is one of the most toxic substances known to man. LED bulbs, which use very little energy and have no difficulty operating in very hot or very cold weather, are much safer for households with young children.
Cleaning Products
Many traditional cleaning products contain harmful chemicals, and these can be just as detrimental to a person’s health as to the environment. Green cleaners, on the other hand, do the job in a much healthier fashion. You have the option of purchasing them commercially or making them yourself.
More and more consumers are choosing the second option. Why? As hard as it may be to believe, there are no government regulations requiring the ingredients of a cleaning product to be listed. So, there’s no way to be sure of what harmful chemicals you’re introducing into your home.
By making cleaning products yourself, you know what goes into them. Common pantry ingredients such as vinegar, lemon juice, and olive oil are very affordable and do a wonderful job of cleaning all sorts of things.
If you have time to perform a little research of your own, you will undoubtedly come across other eco-friendly products. Whether or not you decide to incorporate them into your daily routine is totally up to you.
Keep in mind, however, that even if you decide to use just one truly eco-friendly product, you’re helping the environment in a small way. It may not seem like much, but the more people that share your opinion, the better of the planet will be.
