[Thematic Report October] - Eco-friendly productsby Tuvimanyu Gautam | 24-10-2023 02:24 |
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 It is well known that Industrial Revolution brought in the advent of mass production. The mass production, in turn, helped manufacturers to produce goods at a lower price. Though this resulted in better standards of living and more job opportunities for general population, it also rang in the use-and-throw culture. This mindset has caused irrevocable damage to the environment. Now we have reached that point in Climate Change cycle has that unless we take strong measures to curb our consumption appetite, the planet would face even more frequent natural catastrophes. Here are some eco-friendly products which we can incorporate in our lives to reduce the burden on natural resources. 1)Eco-friendly paints: Limewash and red ochre paints were used to whitewash the walls in olden days. It allowed the walls to breathe, kept the pests at bay and also purified the environment inside home. The chemical-based distempers grabbed the market later as they gave superior finish to the walls, were longer lasting and hassle free. But they also had a side effect- release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the atmosphere. The sustainability awareness has made the water-based, plant-based, zero VOC paints popular again because of their health benefits. 2)LED bulbs- Replace incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs to save energy and reduce electricity bills. As LED s use diode light illumination principle, they are much more efficient than filament bulbs. They use only 75% energy as compared to plain incandescent light emitting sources. In places where power fluctuation is common, they are quite useful as they emit light much larger than the input power available. 3)Solar panels- Many ancient civilizations were able to devise techniques to harness the power of Sun to carry out daily activities like heating up water and cooking food. In modern times, using solar panels to generate electricity for one¡¯s own consumption provides energy independence to the consumer, reduces power bills and contributes to decreasing the use of non-renewable resources. As fossil fuels are widely used to generate electricity, the electricity generated so has a larger carbon footprint, leads to pollution and global warming. Thankfully, the solar panel installation and maintenance has become cost effective enough to encourage the common consumer. Those apprehensive about the effectiveness or usage of solar panels can begin by installing individual solar lights or trying out solar panel based appliances. 4)Low flow shower heads and faucets- Unknowingly we expend much more water than is needed to carry out our daily activities. In cities where water flows down from large overhead tanks, the high water pressure causes higher per square inch (psi) rate of water flow leading to wastage. To overcome this, installing water pressure control devices, either manual or electronic or in-built in the design of bathroom and kitchen fixtures has been very effective. They are purported to reduce water wastage by almost 60%. 5)Sustainable clothing choices- Clothing made of sustainable materials such as organic cotton, bamboo, hemp or recycled fabrics reduces the carbon footprint of our individual fashion choices. A sustainably made garment is mindful of environmental practices in its manufacturing as well as of the ethical fair trade practices. Recycling and upcycling the clothes also helps the environmental cause. 6)Compostable cutlery- Understandably, it¡¯s difficult to quit the use-and-throw mindset immediately. It can be gradually phased by beginning to use the compostable cutlery made of edible flours. It can either be eaten or discarded without causing any damage to the environment. Making small shifts in our everyday individual decisions can collectively bring about major changes in the climate change trajectory of the planet. It¡¯s time that we do it. |
