Becoming eco-responsible : approach, actions and examples

In the last decade, ecology has become a central concern. How to become an eco-responsible citizen? How to become an eco-responsible company? Why set up an eco-responsible approach? The theme of ecology and the human impact on it is developing more and more. Let's see how to live in the eco-reality.

Being eco-responsible is to lead a conscious lifestyle, whose objective is to reduce the impact on the environment.

How do you become eco-responsible ?

The number one challenge newcomers face in making the switch to sustainable living is, "We don't have time to do it." This is the very first obstacle to overcome. It doesn't take much time to organize your new habits. How do you become more eco-responsible? The first step has already been taken, as you are reading this article. Awareness of the problem is the foundation for change. The next step is to take small actions.

1. Take public transport;
2. Use second-hand products;
3. Use renewable energies;
4. Sort and recycle your waste;
5. Practice green tourism;
6. Switch to organic products;
7. Invest in the local economy;
8. Support associations with ecological goals.

  To go further: you can discover 10 other gestures to become eco-responsible here   The next step, probably the most important, is to find like-minded people. Look for eco-activists in your city and participate in their events. Getting involved with people who share your goals is a powerful motivator. Little by little, the new habits and knowledge will become your normal routine.  

Definition and synonym

  Eco-responsible - This is a principle that can be used by an individual, a company, a community or any organization. Eco-responsibility means applying the principles of sustainable development in the way you consume and see the world. Note : ecoresponsible or eco-responsible - there is no difference and both are acceptable. Eco-responsibility is a collective term. You will often find the following synonyms for the word "eco-responsible":

• Eco-friendly;
• Ecological;
• Green;
• Sustainable.

 

Who can be eco-responsible ?

Every day, we make choices about what we eat, what we wear, and what companies we deal with. And in each of these choices, there are consequences that are more global than we usually think. It turns out that everyone can become more eco-responsible by becoming sensitive to this area. With the right information, each person and company can decide what actions they are willing to take now and where they plan to go in the future. In the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, France identifies citizen awareness as a priority because it considers the participation of the private sector and civil society to be essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Click here to discover the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goals.

How to become an eco-responsible citizen ?

Who is an eco-responsible citizen? He or she is a person who adapts his or her routine in the direction of sustainable development. However, in the city as in the countryside, we probably have some indispensable attributes. These include a high level of consumption of products and services, such as:

• Food delivery (especially for city dwellers);
• Long distance travel during the day;
• The rapid development of technology, which pushes people to upgrade their technology.

  All of these opportunities cause irreparable damage to the environment. However, it is possible to significantly reduce these negative effects by reviewing certain habits.  

3 general habits that help preserve the environment

The sharing economy

  The sharing economy is defined as an economic system in which goods and services are shared between individuals. This is how the idea of carpooling became popular. Due to the difficulty and high cost of using a personal car, a new market has developed. Companies offer users the possibility to rent a car for a specific trip. The advantage of such a service is its ease of use, affordability and not having to deal with the car. At the same time, the use of private cars is reduced. It is also known that the cars of car-sharing companies are newer and more environmentally friendly than the average citizen's car. According to various data, 1 car-sharing car replaces 5 to 8 private cars. This significantly reduces the carbon footprint. If you are willing to give up the car and opt for public transport, even better! In France, the government is taking steps to expand transportation networks and is investing in new projects. Note : If you use public transport regularly, buy a bus card or electronic tickets. By eliminating paper receipts, you will help reduce waste. Cycling is a healthy alternative. By choosing this mode of transportation, you are not only taking care of the environment, but also of your mental and psychic health.  

The "reusable glass" technique

Thanks to American movies and the popularity of Starbucks, coffee to go has become a pleasant habit during the day. Most often, coffee cups are made of paper, but with a polypropylene layer inside (making them non-recyclable). This leads to increased deforestation and a great waste of non-renewable natural resources (oil, water, minerals).   Example: in the UK, about 7 million cups are thrown away every day. In France, 4 billion cups are used every year. That's about 11 million cups per day. (Source) Even if you recycle these cups, many resources are also wasted in the process. The solution is to carry a refillable cup or thermos. When you go to your favorite coffee shop, you can ask the barista to brew coffee directly into your cup. In fact, many cafes give a discount to visitors who have their own cups. And if you have the time, have your coffee in the establishment while enjoying a beautiful ceramic mug. This eco-friendly choice will help you slow down and enjoy the moment.  

A selection of products without packaging

  Plastic packaging has been declared one of the main environmental enemies: its use in everyday life has tripled on average over the last 35 years, and 40% of plastic is used once and then thrown away. This situation has given rise to a new trend towards "sustainable packaging". Companies are replacing plastic with cardboard and paper and putting eco-friendly labels on their products. But is it useful? Yes, paper takes less time to degrade than plastic. But forests are cut down to produce paper, often illegally. In any case, plastic is often added to paper and kraft packaging to make it more waterproof. This makes the packaging much more difficult to recycle. At the same time, all the useful properties of eco-containers disappear if they are thrown away without being recycled. This is how consumers are deceived. The only good solution is to avoid industrial packaging as much as possible. Whenever possible, it is best to choose your own containers. Opportunities to do so are becoming more and more common today. Stores offering unpackaged products are opening. Bulk food sections in large supermarkets are developing. Caterers are also offering services that avoid single-use packaging. They take back their glass and plastic packaging for reuse.  

5 eco-responsible actions at home

Organizing your daily life requires some effort. Especially if you want to make your household habits as eco-friendly as possible. By implementing an eco-friendly routine once, you'll benefit for years to come: less unnecessary waste in the house and more money saved. Discover the best eco-responsible gestures to do at home here.  

The 3 books to become more eco-responsible

If you want to learn more about habits that will help you go green, here are some books on the subject: Minimalism: Live a Meaningful Life - is a book written by minimalism stars Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus. Through this book, the reader learns how much unnecessary stuff is actually stored in their home. How to free up space and the mind from waste. And also, what changes the philosophy of minimalism will bring to your life. The New Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency: The Classic Guide for Realists and Dreamers - is a book that helps organize your life if you have a yard. The author describes in detail how to grow fruit, harvest crops or brew beer, step by step. Zero Waste Home - is a guide to reducing waste by Bea Johnson. Her family produces only one liter of waste per year! The founder of the ZERO WASTE blog gives hundreds of tips for living a greener lifestyle.  

How to become an eco-responsible company ?

According to ADEME's formulation, a company is environmentally responsible when it integrates environmental impact into its decision-making criteria to improve and manage all its processes. The highest level of environmental responsibility corresponds to companies that make the reduction of the environmental impact of their activities, products and services one of the objectives of their strategy. Note: There is a myth that only large companies can be flexible and responsible. In fact, the opposite is true: companies where there is little management-to-staff interaction are more than happy to get involved and produce tangible results. Book to read: L'entreprise contributive by Fabrice Bonnifet.  

Why implement an eco-responsible approach ?

  Compliance with the law. Many countries have legal obligations requiring companies to respect environmental standards. At the EU level, green legislation extends to local regulations. More and more cities are concerned about the environment and want to adopt measures to avoid pollution and reduce its negative effects. Financial benefits. First, moving to sustainability in some countries allows for tax breaks. As mentioned earlier, countries are trying to support green initiatives and provide tax breaks. In addition, optimizing service, production, transportation or delivery saves time and resources. Brand reputation. Consumers choose companies that care about the environment. It is not only the quality of the products that counts, but also the values that the company carries. Green brands are attracting more and more consumers. In a recent Nielsen report, 81% of consumers said it was "extremely" or "very" important that companies "implement programs to improve the environment." In the near future, companies that do not modernize their production to take care of the environment will lose their reputation. Employee cohesion. Being committed to the environment internally in your company builds team spirit and unites you around a common idea. Most of the time, employees feel happier working in an environmentally friendly company.  

What are the eco-responsible actions in companies ?

  The eco-responsible business approach is becoming more and more common. Want to know how to get there? 10 steps companies can take to become eco-responsible:

1. Be aware of your waste
2. Optimize your energy consumption
3. Choose ecologically responsible materials
4. Consider using renewable energy sources
5. Improve your business operations
6. Upgrade your machinery and equipment
7. Involve all team members in your sustainability practices
8. Consider using sustainable packaging
9. Recycle as much as possible
10. Get a label or certification

 

Example of an eco-responsible company

  Schneider Electric is a global expert in energy management and a leading developer and supplier of complete energy efficiency solutions for infrastructure, industry, commercial, residential and data centers. It topped Corporate Knights magazine's list of the world's 100 most sustainable companies in 2021. Vestas Wind Systems A/S is one of the world's largest wind turbine manufacturers. In January 2022, Vestas was named the world's most sustainable company in the 18th annual Global 100 ranking published by Corporate Knights. Over the past four decades, Vestas has successfully helped its partners avoid more than 1.7 billion tons of carbon emissions. City Developments Ltd is a Singaporean multinational property development organization. As early as 1995, the company established its sustainability principles. Today, the company has come a long way and is regularly recognized by global rankings as the greenest company in the construction industry.  

Examples of eco-friendly products

  We've rounded up products that will divide your green life into BEFORE and AFTER. Reusable coffee filter is a great gift for coffee addicts. Its compact design allows you to take it with you on the go. A filter, a cup, boiling water and your favorite ground coffee will be all you need to get great coffee. No more machines and waste with disposable filters and aluminum capsules. Reusable ear sticks - The global cotton swabs market was 543.75 billion units in 2017 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.4% from 2018 to 2026. Plastic cotton swabs are banned as of January 1, 2020. The eco-friendly alternative is to use reusable ear buds, which will last for many years. Discover 6 other eco-responsible products on this page !  

Examples of eco-responsible clothing

  Veja is a French brand of sport shoes that draws on expertise in manufacturing with minimal impact on the environment. The company adheres to high environmental standards while maintaining a unique and stylish design. Patagonia is an example of an eco-responsible brand in clothing production. Its jackets and outdoor clothing embody the minimalist style of mountaineers and surfers. The brand's Worn Wear program offers customers the opportunity to have their worn clothing repaired to extend its lifetime. In addition, the company regularly donates to support land and water ecosystems and biodiversity conservation. They are also known for their provocative advertising campaign, "Don't buy this jacket!" Organic Basics is committed to sustainability to the highest degree. Eco-responsible clothing for men and women, made from sustainable fabrics and produced in ethical factories. Each garment also has an environmental impact index to measure your ecological footprint, as well as a detailed impact report if you want to go further.

Now you can become eco-responsible!

By starting to change with simple gestures, we can change the world around us in the long term. Step by step, and keep your life comfortable!

To find out more, take a look at the following articles:

‣ Circular economy: definition and example ‣ Ecology: definition and example ‣ Becoming eco-responsible: approach, gestures and examples ‣ Eco-responsible and ecological product: definition and example ‣ Ecological footprint: definition and example