The Impact of your Spending on the Environment: How to make Eco-friendly Financial Choices

Every rupee, dollar or euro you spend has the power to give you has the power to raise the economy but it also comes with environmental consequences. Whether you buy a pizza or throw away your laptop for an upgraded new one, or buying that trendiest pair of jeans, your purchase leaves behind a carbon footprint, a trail that wrecks the environment. As we are committed to saving our planet Earth, it is time for us to reflect on our expenses, time to really ask if your wallet makes green choices.

Understanding the connection between your wallet and the Environment

Our expenditures are interlinked with resource utilization, with generating waste and carbon emissions. Each and every product that we use comes with a heavy cost- the environmental cost:

• Changing fashion trends contributes to water pollution, wastage of textiles and exploitation of labour. Many famous brands dump their leftover clothes into landfills, thus harming the environment.

• Single-use plastics- such objects are thrown into landfills or thrown into ocean, thus harming the marine life.

• Electronics- changing trends and evolving technology generates e-waste and toxic chemicals. 

• Non-vegetarian Food- apart from depleting livestock, such food also large quantities of water and grain resources.

So, every time you buy a new pair of your Levi Jeans or exchange your phone or snack a burger, we are creating a toxic cycle of monetary splurging and environmental damage. Every conscious spending is a point added to the cause of environmental preservation.

Cultivate Eco- Friendly Spending Habits: 

One does not have to be wealthy to make eco-friendly sustainable options. Your small daily decision can reduce the carbon footprint and make considerable changes in the times to come. So how to do the same:

1. Buy consciously and make good choices

Before grabbing the next fashion trend, ask important questions: Do I really need this? Can I not borrow or rent or recycle it? 

Such questions will curb the instinct of impulsive buying and you will invest in quality over quantity, reduce the demand for mass production and packaging materials, benefit the environment in the long run.

2. Choose second-hand goods or go for circular items

So many online portals such as OLX, Poshmark or garage sales, vintage stores allow you to reduce manufacturing waste, refurbish old materials and also save money by creating a supportive circular economy. You can easily do this for clothes, books, furniture, gadgets or even vehicles.

3. Support the cause of ethical and environmental brands 

Companies that promote/ use eco-friendly options such as recycled plastics or organic cotton, bamboo products should be supported. Ensure that companies have ethical standards of producing goods and that they are transparent about their chain supply. Although these products are expensive, they lost longer and do not damage the environment. Hence better ethical choices in the long run.

4. Minimize Food Waste and Packaging

Food waste poses real threat to the environment as excess food is dumped in landfills and waste is left to rot in landfills thus creating poisonous greenhouse gases. To reduce this you must make some conscious choices: Buying adequate quantity and reducing the chances of wastage. Even supporting package -free stores or bringing your own bags can help reduce plastic wastage.

5. Opting for Eco-friendly Transportation 

While traveling or commuting to work/school everyday, you must choose public mode of transport, walk or cycle as much as possible, used shared vehicles. These small choices, like carpooling to school, using e-vehicles can lower the carbon emissions. 

6. Support Corporates Invested in Green Energy

You should champion the cause of Corporates that invest in renewable energy or sustainable choices. Hence you will help preserve energy and also contain environmental damages.

By supporting all these causes, you will save the planet and ensure green living. Such mindful consumption also ensures that you will save more money in the long run and live a meaningful life. Such measures will give a new direction to your life and give it a purpose. It will prove that you make mindful choices and that you care for your environment and the planet. You will also realize that a small step of yours will be a giant leap for mankind, for Mother Earth, that you care for all life forms.