For most of us, our eco-consciousness started with the news on the depletion of the ozone layer and climate change. For some, this awareness intensified when the heartbreaking video of a sea turtle with a plastic straw up in its nose became viral. 

Whatever our personal wakeup call may be, it kindled a new way of thinking in ourselves – we need to lead an eco-friendly life to protect our planet, our family, our children’s kids, and the future generation. 

As the old saying goes, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” There are lots of things we can do to play a part in cleaning the air, reducing landfill waste, and preserving our natural resources. Here are some easy green choices we can make.

Transportation

  • Practice eco-driving

    Eco-driving includes regular vehicle maintenance which improves fuel efficiency. So, before a long trip, check tire pressures as underinflated ones can cause an increase in fuel consumption. You can also remove unused roof racks and avoid overloading the car. For waits of more than a minute, turn off engines as 5-8% of fuel is consumed while idling. Avoid sharp acceleration and heavy braking, too, because aggressive driving can significantly raise fuel consumption.

  • Walk for short trips / cycle instead

    Reduce carbon emissions and gas costs by making the journey by foot, bike, or public transport if possible. Unless you’re in an electric vehicle, driving is not very eco-friendly and can add to your carbon footprint.

  • Consider carpooling

    Carpooling is a great way to cut down the number of cars on the road, which decreases harmful emissions and traffic.

  • Plan your journey

    Route planning helps maximize fuel efficiency. You can use navigation apps that let you know the shortest and fastest route to your destination. If possible, consolidate your errands in a day as this is more efficient than taking several short trips.

Home

  • Only buy what you need

    Be mindful of your spending habits and buy only things that you need. A product requires a lot of energy and resources before it reaches your home. By buying fewer items, you can help lower the demand for its production process and help lessen the impact on the environment.

  • Look after your electrical appliances

    Regular cleaning and maintenance extend the life of our household appliances. Repair them as much as possible because throwing them away has a huge carbon impact. If they are beyond repair, you can call the manufacturer or company of purchase to inquire if they take back items or packaging for reuse or recycling. 

    Energy conservation is also one of the most important things we can do to reduce our carbon footprint. Turn the appliances off and unplug them when not in use. 

  • Invest in eco-friendly technology and LED light bulbs

    Go further than simply unplugging by buying appliances that have energy-efficient tech. When shopping, compare Energy Efficient Ratio (EER). For air conditioners, the higher the EER rating, the more efficient the appliance. Look for Energy Star labels too. This certifies that the unit meets international standards of energy efficiency.

    For refrigerators and other appliances, a higher Energy Efficient Factor (EEF) means lower operating costs. LED light bulbs are also more efficient and last longer than conventional ones.

  • Use eco-friendly cleaning products

    Lots of cleaning products have harmful chemicals that are not environmentally friendly to create or dispose of. Look for products that contain safer ingredients, like plant-based cleaners. You may also opt for cleaning concentrates that you can dilute with water in reusable containers to eliminate excess packaging and waste.

Food

  • Grow your food

    By growing your food, you can save money and cut down your carbon footprint. You can start with easy-to-care-for herbs and vegetables like pechay, tomatoes, lettuce, and basil. If you don’t have outdoor space for a garden, you can grow them in containers and windowsill boxes. 

  • Consider a plant-based diet

    Meat production requires tons of land, water, chemicals, and more. Cutting down on the amount of meat you eat can have a significant impact on reducing your carbon footprint even if it’s just for two or three days a week.

  • Learn composting

    Food scraps and yard waste like dead leaves and grass clippings make up more than 30 percent of what we throw away which could be composted instead.

  • Minimize packaging

    When going to the market, look for loose fruit and vegetables, and put them in your own bags or containers. Refuse single-use plastic as much as possible. If you can't avoid buying food in plastic containers, you can make better choices by opting for those that are most recyclable – PET, found in drinks bottles and fruit punnets, and HDPE, in shampoo and milk bottles.

Fashion and Personal Care

  • Be minimal and learn to mend

    Consider only buying a new piece of clothing if another one needs replacing. You can also easily sew up a hole if a piece of fabric gets beaten up. Let’s embrace what we already own. After all, loved clothes last the most.

  • Choose materials wisely

    Some fabrics age better than others, so when looking for leather, shop secondhand. Leather shoes, jackets, and belts last for years and look better once they have been worn in. The same also goes for denim, another durable fabric. You can also choose natural fibers like cotton over polyester.

  • Ditch the face wipes

    Made of polyester, a non-biodegradable fabric, face wipes can easily clog the sewers and fill landfills. When cleansing your skin, use reusable pads instead.

  • Check your body wash, toothpaste, and face and body scrubs

    When shopping for personal hygiene products, avoid items that have microbeads. These are tiny bits of non-biodegradable plastic usually found in soaps and scrubs. They make their way into watercourses and ultimately damages the environment by entering the food chain. 

In no time, these practices will become second nature to us and our family. Let’s build better habits in our own corner of the planet.

Dreams are built green at Filinvest. As we stay attuned to the changing lifestyles of Filipinos, we continue to build the Filipino dream with sustainable, future-forward principles that ensure healthy and quality living in the new normal and beyond. We believe that the way forward is always green – and this is our inspiration as we craft more homes and communities.

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