Do you think you’re doing everything in your power not to harm the environment? Are you saving water at home? Are you walking or biking instead of using your car all the time? Do you use reusable bags when you go shopping and turning off the lights when you leave the room? If you do all of this, then you’re on the right track. Did you know that there are other small things that are harming the environment without you even knowing? Today, we’re going to take a look at what those 10 things are, so read on and take notes.
10. Not Drinking Shade-Grown Coffee
If you drink coffee, then you should take some time to find out how your coffee was grown. Shade-grown coffee means that the coffee was grown in fields under a canopy of other plants. This provides a home for birds and animals, whereas coffee grown on plantations that are clear-cut is bad for the environment because it destroys the birds’ habitat.
9. Not Recycling Printer Cartridges
Did you know that it is estimated that only 5% of all inkjet cartridges are recycled? Help the environment and refill your printer cartridges. It takes 2.5 ounces of non-renewable oil to make a single printer cartridge. When you are done with your cartridges, please recycle them. Don’t throw them away!
8. Flushing Away Wipes and Tampons
Just because some things can be flushed, doesn’t mean that you should do it. For example, applicators, tampons, and some brands of wet wipes will not dissolve in water the way toilet paper does. They will clump up and settle which creates blockages that have been linked to harmful sewer leaks. Do the environment a favor and put them in the trash bin!
7. Using Paper Towels in the Kitchen
First of all, paper towels cannot be recycled and using them in the kitchen is a blatant waste of paper! What you should do instead is get plenty of microfiber towels and use them around the kitchen. Of course, there will be things that do require paper towels, such as absorbing the fat from fried foods, but try to limit your use as much as you can.
6. Leaving Your Monitor On
If you’re going to be away from your computer for more than 15 minutes, do yourself a favor and turn off your monitor. Letting it go into standby mode also uses energy, so turn it off! Some say that turning it on and off several times a day will use more energy than letting it enter standby mode, but that is simply not true.
5. Using Too Many Beauty Products
Did you know that more than three million tons of personal care products end up in waterways each year? Those products are filled with endocrine disruptors that will affect wildlife. Protect the fauna and yourself by choosing products which are free of the Toxic Ten ingredients. We should all opt for nontoxic and natural body care and cleaning products.
4. Bamboo Sheets
Bamboo seems like the eco-friendly alternative to cotton, but it really isn’t. It’s just another of those things that harm the environment. Pesticides are used in the growth of bamboo and chemicals go into the process of manufacturing. Also, the increasing demand for this material threatens native vegetation, because in order to meet demands, room needs to be created to plant the bamboo.
3. Consuming Farmed Fish
Farmed fish can seem like the wise choice for the environment, but it really is not. These fish are filled with antibiotics and other meds and what the fish do not eat dissolves into the water which becomes quite horrible. If you want fish, look for fresh fish that is not endangered. There are plenty of smart choices when it comes to fish, so make a little effort for Mother Nature’s sake!
2. Smoking
It takes around 5 years for a cigarette butt to biodegrade and when you think of it, they are everywhere. Should we even mention the amount of paper that goes into making cigarettes? Paper that cannot be recycled?! No, I guess we shouldn’t mention that.
1. Eating Meat
The best way to lessen the effects of climate change is to eat less or no meat. 51% of all greenhouse gas emissions are attributable to sheep, goats, pigs, poultry and cattle. The less meat we eat, the less of a demand for these animals. Plus, eating a plant based diet is really great for you. Give it a try!
Are there any other things that are harming the environment? Do you have a paperless kitchen? Care to share with us your tips on protecting the environment? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.
