Not every solution is your solution.
Suppose you are a policy-maker and you want to choose the most environmentally friendly option for your region. You have three options: plastic cups, reusable cups, or biodegradable cups made from natural materials. Which one would you pick?
You might think that biodegradable cups are the best choice, but that is not necessarily true. What if you have to import them from another country? Have you considered the environmental impact of transportation, storage, and other operational factors?
So maybe reusable cups or biodegradable cups are better options, right? Well, it depends. If you use reusable cups, you have to factor in water consumption. Because, in order to reuse your cups, at least you need to clean it. What if water is scarce in your region? What if it has to be transported from far away places? Did you know that water management accounts for 4% of global carbon emissions? That is comparable to the aviation industry. So if you live in places like the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, or any other places where water is precious and scarce, and you have to import other alternatives from far away places, plastic cups might be apologetically the best option for now; considering you throw them away responsibly. Each plastic cup uses much less energy, and they are lightweight so they have a lower environmental impact of transportation than other alternatives.
Does this mean that I am promoting plastic products? Not at all. I am asking you to look at the bigger picture. Our economy is complex, and it is important to differentiate between “greenwashing” and “relatively eco-friendly” options within our individual reality. Greenwashing is the process of misleading consumers into believing that a product or a company is more environmentally friendly than it actually is.
Here are some of the key points that we should consider:
1. Local Products vs Imported Ecofriendly Products
Local products are more eco-friendly because they reduce the need for transportation. Buying a product that claims to be green from distant sources may not have much environmental benefit compared to what your local artisan can make with local materials. So next time, you want to purchase “eco-friendly” products from Daraz, AliExpress, Amazon, or Importers, please consider the toll on the environment. Also, your local industry deserves a chance.
2. Purchased Products vs New Ecofriendly Products
Sometimes we may end up purchasing products that are not very “eco-friendly” compared to other alternatives. Instead of feeling guilty or discarding them, we should accept our mistakes and learn from them. Trying to be perfect by throwing our stuff away can actually harm our environment more than help it.
3. Second-Hand Products vs Fresh Eco-Friendly Products
Many people think that buying new products that are labeled as “green” or “eco-friendly” is good for the environment. However, this is not always true. Buying used goods is often a better choice for reducing environmental impact. This is because used goods do not require new materials, energy, or transportation to be produced. They also prevent waste and pollution from ending up in landfills or oceans. Therefore, buying used goods is a more effective way to conserve natural resources and protect the environment than purchasing new products that claim to be “green”.
4. Shopping List vs Lifestyle
Think about the consequences of your actions on the environment. Buying products that are labeled eco-friendly may make you feel good, but it is not enough to reduce your ecological footprint. You also need to pay attention to what you eat and how it affects the climate, biodiversity, and natural resources. Your diet may have a much bigger impact than your shopping habits. You should try to be environmentally conscious in every aspect of your life; as much as you can realistically do without compromising your health and well-being. Like,
- Reduce your water usage by taking shorter showers and turning off the tap when brushing your teeth.
- Use reusable bags instead of plastic bags when shopping.
- Use public transportation like local buses, shared EV autorickshaws, Legunas or zero-grid transport like paddle rickshaws or bicycles instead of driving alone or using bikes, CNGs, or SUVs.
- Use energy-efficient light bulbs and turn off lights when you leave a room