Definition.
The basic definition of eco-friendly or environmentally friendly according to The Oxford dictionary means: ‘not harmful to the environment.’
Individuals.
The term Eco-friendly or Environmentally friendly is used by both individuals and companies to indicate a non-harmful impact on the natural world or eco-system. A person may use the term to describe their habits or lifestyle. For instance, an eco-friendly lifestyle means the person is trying to reduce his or her impact on the natural world. For example, a person recycles all his all his or her old newspapers to reduce his/her paper waste going to a landfill so as to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. Or a person chooses to ride a bicycle instead of a car, to reduce his/her carbon emissions, to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
Companies.
A company would use the term Eco friendly to describe the, non-harmful, process in which it produces a product, or the impact that product would have on the natural environment during its life. For example, a product would state that it is ‘100% biodegradable’ and is therefore is eco-friendly. Or the company uses only sustainable and naturally occurring materials in the making of its product and recycles all of its waste. By reducing its waste and therefore pollution as well as lowering its carbon footprint the company can be regarded as environmentally friendly. These are just few simple examples however for a company its more complicated. Companies that wish to be considered Eco-friendly have to follow certain principals and procedures. These guidelines ensure that a company is not greenwashing.
Greenwashing.
This is the term used to describe companies that market themselves to be eco-friendly or environmentally friendly in order to gain increase sales, without the company actually being eco-friendly. For instance, the company may use raw materials which are grown using harmful pesticides and non-sustainable farming practices. Or the company may not dispose of its waste in a non-harmful manner. Even though the product may be biodegradable the company does not use eco-friendly practices. A company is said to be greenwashing when it spends more time and money on marketing itself to be eco-friendly, and spends less on eco-friendly practices and procedures.
Be aware of the products you buy and try your best to do as much research on a product before you purchase it. Less is more when it comes to your purchases, find eco-friendly products made by companies that have a genuine interest in protecting the environment, and stay loyal to them. Avoid products that are harmful to the environment. Also reduce the amount you purchase and buy only those items that you really need. Reuse as many items as possible. Make sure to recycle as many items as you can.
Little changes today. Big impact tomorrow.
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