Hidden Harm: Top five harmful eco habits....we didn’t know we were doing

April is Earth Month. This is the month that we feel the rest of the world listens to us when we say we are killing the planet. We’re torn. We are so happy that people are perking up and paying attention to the earth right now, but also frustrated because we need to take care of the earth year round. 

How does Earth Month make you feel? 

Rather than bombard you with new eco habits to adopt we are asking you to take a step back and evaluate your practices. To help you make those small changes in your life, we’ve put together a list of the top five hidden eco harmful habits… (we didn’t know we were doing) with solutions:

1. Recycling Wrong - I know! This makes us all go “but I’m trying,” which is fully commendable. Many of us think that all plastic is recyclable, but that’s not the case. For example plastic bags are a no-no, they jam up the equipment at the plant. So what can be recycled? Check your local government website for their list and Google local organizations that help you dispose of or reuse the un-recyclables.

2. Tampons + Pads - Did you know that tampons and pads contain plastics that can’t be recycled? The result: they end up in the landfill and over one’s lifetime that can mean 5,000-15,000 menstrual products per person. We’re a fan of menstrual cups (reusable and budget-friendly) but totally understand for heavy flowers those aren’t always enough. There are many other options out there. Check out this Greatist  article for tips and thorough product reviews to help you have an eco-friendly period.
3. Shady Business - With spring here, we have the urge to open the blinds and let the sun shine in. On hot days this causes your AC to fight even harder to keep your home cool. Which not only isn’t good for the planet, it will up your energy bill. So, what should you do? Coat your windows with a reflective film or keep your blinds drawn and go outside to enjoy the sunshine and get a good dose of vitamin D. 

4. Shopping - Most notably, fast fashion. Are you surprised to see fast fashion on our list lol? If you have joined the BMF Tribe (you can below) you KNOW that we abhor fast fashion for the toll it takes on humans (sweatshops) and the planet. So how does it harm the planet? According to Foodtank, fast fashion is the second biggest consumer of water, generating 20% of the earth’s wastewater and generating more greenhouse gas emissions than all international flights and maritime shipping combined! Say what?!? So how do you stop this harm?  By saying no with your wallet. Choose eco-friendly options, such as shopping with us, other eco-brand, thrift shops or consignment stores.

 

5. Doing the dishes - Dishwashers use 3.5 to 5 times less water than washing by hand. If you have a dishwasher great, but if you don’t, no need to fret. The most eco-friendly, hand-washing method is to fill one sink with hot soapy water and the other with hot water that you can use to rinse the dishes. The main water-waster culprit is running water. If you can minimize that, then you will make a great impact for our planet. 

Did you find these habit-changing tips helpful? Let us know below and if you have your own habit transforming tips to share in the comments section below. 

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