What does eco-friendly actually mean?

We hear terms like ‘eco-friendly’ and ‘environmentally-friendly’ all the time, but what do they really mean? How can we tell if a product, event, or service is truly good for the planet, or just a marketing gimmick? In this blog post, we will explore the definition and implications of being eco-friendly, and how to make more informed choices as consumers and citizens.

## The origin and meaning of eco-friendly

The word ‘eco’ comes from the Latin root ‘oeco’, meaning ‘household’. It’s often used now to mean ‘habitat’, ‘home’, or ‘Earth’. And so, ‘eco-friendly’ simply means Earth-friendly. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, being eco-friendly means being ‘designed to have little or no damaging effect on the environment’. Basically, it’s all about doing no harm. Products, events, and services that are eco-friendly don’t cost the Earth.

But how can we measure the environmental impact of something? It’s not always easy or straightforward. There are many factors to consider, such as:

- The materials and resources used to make the product

- The energy and water consumption during the production process

- The emissions and waste generated during and after the production process

- The packaging and transportation of the product

- The lifespan and durability of the product

- The disposal and recyclability of the product

As you can see, being eco-friendly is not just a matter of slapping a green label on something. It requires a holistic and comprehensive approach that considers the entire life cycle of a product, from cradle to grave.

## The difference between eco-friendly, green, and sustainable

You may have noticed that there are other terms that are often used interchangeably with eco-friendly, such as green and sustainable. But do they mean the same thing? Not exactly.

Like eco-friendly, the term green generally means being kind to the Earth, often by trying to have a lighter carbon footprint. According to Birnur Aral PhD, from the Good Housekeeping Institute, the word green “generally implies better practices for both the environment and the people involved\". It’s quite an informal, casual term that can be applied in lots of ways, but usually it’s understood to have a similar meaning to eco-friendly.

Sustainable, on the other hand, has a slightly more complex definition. Back in 1987, the UN’s Bruntland Commission defined ‘sustainable development’ as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. According to this definition, there are 3 pillars of sustainability:

- Environmental: This pillar focuses on reducing carbon emissions and waste, to minimise impact on the planet.

- Economic: This is about making sure people around the world can make a secure living financially, now and in the future.

- Social: Finally, this pillar is all about making sure people have their needs met and human rights respected.

If you’re a sustainable business, it’s about treating your employees fairly.

So, being sustainable is not just about being eco-friendly. It’s also about being socially and economically responsible. It’s about balancing the needs of people, planet, and profit.

## How to be more eco-friendly in your daily life

Now that you know what eco-friendly means, you may be wondering how you can be more eco-friendly in your daily life. Here are some simple tips to get you started:

- Choose products that are made from natural, organic, recycled, or biodegradable materials.

- Avoid products that contain harmful chemicals or additives that can pollute the environment or harm your health.

- Look for products that have minimal or reusable packaging, or buy in bulk to reduce waste.

- Opt for products that are energy-efficient, water-efficient, or solar-powered.

- Repair, reuse, or repurpose products instead of throwing them away.

- Recycle or compost products that can’t be reused.

- Shop locally or online to reduce transportation emissions.

- Use public transport, bike, walk, or carpool whenever possible.

- Switch to renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power.

- Reduce your consumption of meat and dairy products, which have a high environmental impact.

- Plant trees or support organisations that do so.

Being eco-friendly is not only good for the environment. It’s also good for your wallet and your well-being. By being more eco-friendly, you can save money, reduce stress, improve your health, and feel happier.

## Conclusion

Being eco-friendly means being mindful of how your actions affect the environment. It means choosing products, events, and services that are designed to have little or no damaging effect on the planet. It means doing no harm.

But being eco-friendly is not enough. We also need to be sustainable. We need to consider the social and economic aspects of our decisions, and how they affect the present and future generations. We need to do good.

We hope this blog post has helped you understand what eco-friendly actually means, and how to be more eco-friendly in your daily life. Remember, every little action counts. Together, we can make a difference.