When we talk about going green we mean living in a way that reduces the stress we’re putting on the environment. We’re talking about living a lifestyle where you are consciously aware of the environmental impact your actions have. Where green products are concerned, these are simply products that have less of an environmental impact as well as potentially being less harmful to human health.
How to spot green products
If you’re on a journey to adopting or living a sustainable lifestyle and you’re looking for green products to replace your regular items with, this checklist will help you confirm if a product can be considered as green or not. Green products are those which are:
- Energy efficient, require low maintenance, and are durable
- Contain no chemicals that deplete the ozone and contain no compounds that produce toxic by-products
- Made of recycled substances through sustainable practices
- Manufactured locally using local resources
- Biodegradable and can be reused as a whole or in parts
5 green products you must try
1. Eco-friendly clothing
A lot of brands are now offering clothes made of recycled material. All it takes to identify these clothes is to read the labels. Many of these sustainable clothes are made of bamboo, a very efficient material that offers 97.5% protection from harmful UV rays. Additionally, bamboo clothes are breathable, absorb moisture from the skin keeping you feeling dry, and are great for allergy prone skin.
2. Reusable sandwich wraps
Whether you use sandwich wraps for your own lunches or those of your kids, the bottom line is traditional wraps are one of the biggest sources of plastic pollution because of their frequent use. However, this also makes them easy to replace if you make a conscious decision. Reusable sandwich wraps fabricated from recycled PET bottles are available to help reduce the amount of plastic going into landfills.
3. Fair Trade organic towels
We all love the soft feel of towels when we step out of the shower. Many of these towels are made of cotton and a mixture of other fabrics. If you’re stocking up on towels, opt instead for organic versions manufactured using cotton grown and handpicked by farmers practicing sustainable practices. The best way to verify if the towels can be considered as green is to check and see if they bear the Fair Trade approval.
4. LED Light bulbs
When comparing LED lights to fluorescent bulbs it’s not difficult to see why one should make the switch. For starters, fluorescent lights contain mercury, are made from glass, are extremely fragile and use 8 watts per foot. LED light bulbs on the other hand contain no mercury, are extremely energy efficient, are durable and use only 2 to 4 watts per foot. The bonus? LED lights last longer than their traditional counterparts making them friendly on your pocket.
5. Low-flow shower head
Water is another precious resource that we all need to make special efforts to conserve. For many, help is always welcome. This is where low flow shower heads come in to play. These shower heads are designed to encourage water saving, are budget friendly, and meet EPA regulations.
Green product certifications
At times you may need a little bit of help to decipher between products to know if a product truly is green or not. The following certifications though not exhaustive give you a good place to start.
This label is generally found on electrical appliances such as fridges
Green Seal Certified:
Means that a product has been vetted and meets a rigorous standard and is typically found on a wide range of products such as coffee.
Forest Stewardship Council:
The actual seal only bears the letters FSC and this certification can be seen on products made of wood which denotes that these products have been made from wood sourced in forests managed in a way that’s sustainable and responsible.