Becoming eco-friendly in every facet of life is now an international goal. Unfortunately, it isn't easy to accomplish. One aspect that's particularly hard to navigate is consumerism. How do you shop without hurting the environment? If this is something you're struggling with, here are five tips for staying eco-friendly as a consumer.

1. Get Reusable Items

If you're looking for a way to help the environment that also assists your bank account, buying reusable items is the way to go. Essentially, it allows you to invest in one item instead of continually buying disposable options. A great example of this is water filters and bottles. Instead of consistently buying plastic water bottles, you can put filtered tap water into a reusable water bottle. Another helpful option is a canvas tote bag, which allows you to avoid using plastic bags while shopping.

2. Eat Organic Foods

Non-organic foods are highly unsustainable. Most use chemicals that keep the products preserved or add a certain taste, many of which aren't healthy for you or the environment. In order to avoid these chemicals, you'll want to try sticking with natural and organic foods. This can be difficult, especially since such products are generally more expensive, but it's worth trying. After all, it has the added benefit of increasing your physical health. If you're worried about giving up various meals, look up ways to recreate these dishes with organic ingredients.

3. Inspect or Make Your Beauty Products

Beauty products are incredibly fun and often healthy to use. However, many are harmful to the environment. Before making a purchase, be sure to look at the ingredients listed in the product. In order to know what you should look for, do some research on the type of item you're buying. Locate what dangerous chemicals and brands to avoid. If this becomes too costly or time-consuming for you, you might want to try making your own products. Once you invest in supplies, the actual cost should be far less than brand products. You can create supplies made from safe and eco-friendly materials. Creating your own beauty items may also provide a fun craft, along with a sense of fulfillment. 

4. Buy Used Products

When it comes to being eco-friendly, increasing your sustainability is a must. One part of this is limiting the number of new items you buy. Essentially, buying new products encourages companies to replace said products. If you buy used ones, you aren't creating a need for replacement. Start by locating thrift stores near you. If you can't find any nearby, there are several available online. In the event that you're grossed out by used items, do research into the shop. Most thoroughly clean the items, and some even divide the products by newness. 

5. Plan Your Shopping

Shopping, especially when it's for something fun, can be all-consuming. You may find yourself tempted to buy everything that catches your eye. However, being eco-friendly means consuming less. While you don't need to eliminate every non-essential item from your life, it's wise to think through what you'll be buying. Therefore, you may want to create a shopping list before going out. This ensures that you have a plan to stick to. If you end up getting a few other things, that's perfectly okay. As long as you have a list, you're less likely to buy everything in sight.

Becoming eco-friendly takes a lot of effort and responsibility. Fortunately, you don't need to completely change your shopping habits right away. Try adopting a few of these habits and see how each works out. Even a small change can make a sizable difference over time.