How eco-friendly are your shopping habits?

How knowledgeable are you about eco-friendly shopping?

Making sustainable choices can span everything from how you get to the shops, your spending habits, to food preferences. Living an eco-friendly life can mean actively making choices that look after our planet and trading old habits for greener ones. 

Knowing some of the facts and stats helps you to align your values and feel good about where and how you shop.

Are eco-friendly products really more expensive in the long run?

In Australia, as in much of the world, we are increasingly drawn to the idea of sustainable shopping, but often find ourselves entangled in a web of myths.

One of the most pervasive myths is the belief that eco-friendly products are significantly more expensive than traditional alternatives. And, in a time where it feels like all we’re doing is spending our hard earned cash, finding ways to reduce spend is more than welcome, it’s necessary for many Australian households.

A great strategy to help all of us reduce our spend is to think long term. The longer the lifespan, the greater the reduced environmental impact and costs. This is often the case with sustainable goods; these products commonly prove to be more cost-effective over time. We’re also beginning to see a surge in the availability of competitively priced eco-friendly options, thanks to growing consumer demand and local businesses rising to meet this challenge.

Do eco-friendly products work?

Another common misconception is that eco-friendly products, especially cleaning supplies, lack the effectiveness of their chemical-heavy counterparts. Australian-made eco-friendly cleaning products are celebrated for their natural ingredients and efficacy, challenging the notion that strength comes only from harsh chemicals. These products not only achieve the desired results but also contribute to a healthier home and environment for all of us.

How do eco-friendly cleaning products help our health?

The advantages of using eco-friendly cleaning products in Australian homes extend beyond environmental benefits. They significantly reduce the exposure to harmful chemicals, improving indoor air quality and ensuring a safer environment for families. This is particularly appealing for Australians, where lifestyle and health are commonly one of our top priorities. Moreover, many of these products come in concentrated forms or offer refill options, reducing plastic waste and promoting a culture of reuse, helping us with our ethos of conservation in this beautiful land.

Shopping locally for food not only supports Australian farmers and small businesses but also reduces carbon footprints, with food travelling shorter distances to reach consumers. Despite the perception that local and organic foods come with a higher price tag, Australians can enjoy cost savings by purchasing seasonal produce directly from local sources. Farmers’ markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs are increasingly popular in Australia, offering fresh, sustainable options that often rival supermarket prices.

What is greenwashing?

Greenwashing is a marketing practice where companies falsely advertise their products, services or overall brand as environmentally friendly, sustainable or having a positive impact on the environment, when it’s not the case.

This can come in the form of vague claims e.g. if something is promoted as “green” or “natural”. There may be irrelevant information such as a product claiming to be free of a chemical that’s banned in that market. There might be misleading labels with self-awarded certificates or endorsements from unrecognised or unregulated organisations. 

If that all sounds too big to tackle, we’ve got you. Here’s what you can do.

Look for the specifics:

• Verify certifications if you’re unsure
• Research the company and check out sustainability reports or their environmental policy, if available
• Check for third party audits or endorsements
• Be cautious of branding; look beyond marketing claims and seek out legitimate eco certifications

What’s the verdict?

In conclusion, by knowing some of the facts and what to keep an eye out for, you can make better informed choices and help to lead the way in sustainable living.

The shift towards eco-friendly products and practices not only supports our local economy and environment, but also aligns with some of the beautiful Australian values of stewardship for the land and a healthy, active lifestyle.