The COVID-19 pandemic has caused over 60% of people to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle. But are they doing it right?

If you've decided to add more sustainability to your life, are you making eco-friendly shopping mistakes? Sometimes it's hard to tell if what we're buying and how we're buying it is really helping or hurting the environment. 

To make sure, here are some things you should not be doing when you're shopping and living sustainably.

1. Rethink Buying More Bags

When tote bags were touted as an eco-friendly option to plastic bags, it seemed as if they were suddenly everywhere. With clever phrases written on them and availability in a variety of different colors and shapes, it seemed these cotton bags were a great way to reduce plastic. 

While the accumulation of plastic is still a problem, the production of cotton bags also has an impact on the environment, as they end up in landfills. If there's anyway to combat this problem, it's to keep the bags you have and refrain from buying more. 

2. Recycle Correctly

It's easy to see certain materials like plastic bottles or paper boxes and immediately take them to the recycling bin. But did you know that not recycling correctly can be detrimental to the environment? If certain things are not recycled properly, like electronics or pizza boxes with grease in them for example, they end up in a landfill because they can contaminate the recycling plant.

The best thing to do is to check out your city or county's recycling laws or protocols and follow them as best as possible to ensure things that should get recycled, do. 

3. Eco-Friendly Clothes

Eco-friendly clothes are easy to find when you're buying products online. However, sometimes eco-friendly clothing can be very expensive and it's not always in the eco-friendly shopping budget for everyone to maintain and eco-friendly wardrobe. 

If you do want to shop for eco-friendly clothes, make sure they are sourced sustainability and with environmentally-friendly materials. 

One of the solutions to this problem is to buy second-hand clothes. Buying second hand reduces the number of clothes that end up in landfills. It also decreases demand for new clothes and saves water, as water is a large part of clothing production. 

4. Don't Buy Just Because

Just because a product boasts a "green" or "sustainable" label doesn't necessarily mean that you must buy it, especially if you already own a different version of the item. While it's important the make sustainable swaps using this sustainability guide, if you don't need to buy it, don't. 

Buying something simply because it claims to be eco-friendly, even though you have a product already, contradicts the idea of sustainability. Use your products until you absolutely need to replace them. 

5. Learning to Read Labels

As mentioned above, it's important to know your terms when you're shopping sustainably. Many products may be labelled "eco-friendly" or "sustainable" when they're anything but. 

The best thing you can do is to understand labels and logos. Additionally, some products might be only partially green or sustainable and not necessarily helpful for the environment. Always read the list of ingredients and familiarize yourself with them as best as you can. 

6. Make a List

Many people walk into a store without a shopping list. As a result you end up spending more or buying things you don't need. This is especially true when it comes to grocery shopping. 

Making a list helps cut down on the waste that ends up in a landfill. Stick to your list and refrain from purchasing products unless you absolutely are going to use them in the next few days. Bonus points if you include an eco-friendly shopping strategy!

7. Shopping for Produce

Produce is one way to shop sustainably because you can compose the remains. Almost nothing goes into the landfill when you shop for and cook produce. But buying food from your local grocery chain isn't always the best bet, because it may travel for hundreds of miles and contribute to the carbon footprint.

One of the best ways to shop is by shopping local produce because the distance from farm to table is less. You also support local businesses which is good for the community. If you're unable to support local businesses, try buying seasonal produce from your grocer instead. 

8. Attempting Too Much

The decision to live sustainably and eco-friendly is a wise one considering the state of our planet and how valuable resources are being used. But if you try to jump into being sustainable too quickly, you may overwhelm yourself and be consumed with guilt that you can't do it all. 

It's important to realize that sustainability is about being on a journey, and sometimes that means you won't be able to do everything, or you can only do a small part. However, not doing anything eco-friendly is just as bad for the heart and your health. 

Start out by taking small steps and moving forward at a pace that's best for you and your family. 

Eco-Friendly Shopping and You!

When you're eco-friendly shopping, there are many things to be aware of so you can feel comfortable knowing that you're living as sustainably as possible and finding the right products for you. Everyone can do their part to ensure a safe planet for all. 

Are you interested in learning how to live healthier and more sustainably? We've got you covered! Visit our health and wellness page today to continue your journey!