Consumerism is a way of life for most people in the Global West. Yet, there is a growing awareness of how destructive that lifestyle can be for the environment. Increased environmental activism by young people has continued to press for more sustainable and Earth-friendly practices. unfortunately, while many people want to do their part to help the environment, there is a lot of misinformation about what is - and what isn't- safe. That causes confusion and the continued use of potentially harmful everyday products. Being able to identify what is likely to harm the environment makes you a more educated consumer and clears up some of that confusion.

1. Garden Chemicals

Sure, growing your own fruits and vegetables helps to reduce the transportation of food items between farms and the grocery store. It also puts a little money back into your budget and boosts the nutritional content of the food you do eventually consume. However, your backyard food plot may not be as eco-friendly as you thought. Some of the most common chemicals used by many home gardeners can actually be quite harmful. Take glyphosate as an example. It is completely non-selective, which means that it kills everything it touches. That means your desirable plants can be damaged by drift or if it reaches their root zones. In addition, there is increasing evidence linking it to certain types of cancer, leading Roundup lawsuit attorneys to actively seek compensation for those who have been harmed by the chemical.

2. Reusable Shopping Bags

While reusable tote bags have been touted as an eco-friendly alternative to disposable bags, they take substantially more energy and resources to manufacture. Studies that have looked at the environmental impact of reusable bags show that you may need to carry more than 300 loads in that bag before it could be considered carbon neutral. Tossing it beforehand just means it ends up in a landfill and will take longer to break down than a standard plastic or paper option.

Those aren't the only cons to reusable tote bags. They also must be washed to maintain cleanliness. You could be contributing harmful chemicals into groundwater if your detergent isn't eco-friendly. Or, if you skip washing, you run the risk of contaminating your food and potentially causing your family to fall ill.

3. Disposable Food Packaging

It might seem pretty obvious that the styrofoam containers your take out came in are not the most environmentally friendly option, but they aren't the only food packaging that is dangerous. Even compostable paper cups can contribute to burgeoning landfill burdens. That's because they are designed to decompose in composters, not the anaerobic environment of a landfill. Pack reusable utensils and bring food from home for the smallest impact.

4. Antibacterial Hand Soap

The antibacterial agents used in soaps, deodorants and other cleaning products can infiltrate surface waters. Once there, they can harm or kill aquatic life or lead to massive algae blooms. In addition, some chemicals have been found in groundwater and sludge used for fertilizer. That doesn't mean you shouldn't wash your hands. Simply opt for plain soap and warm.

5. Sunscreen

Sure, you want to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays. However, some sunscreen products may do more harm than good, at least to the environment. For example, several chemicals in common sunscreen products have been directly linked to bleaching of coral reefs. When you go in the water, whatever you put on your body washes off and contaminates the environment. Look for mineral sunscreens that are marked as safe for aquatic organisms before you head to the beach.

Despite good intentions, you may be contributing to environmental degradation. Learning about everyday products like disposable packaging, shopping bags and garden chemicals can help you make informed decisions as a consumer.