Save the Planet with Eco Friendly Products

Going green is all the rage these days, as more and more people come to understand the importance of taking care of the environment. Although recycling is a terrific start, we need to go much farther than that if we want to start repairing all the damage that has already been done. That's why in addition to the traditional "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" mantra, we should make a concerted effort to buy eco friendly products and reward manufacturers who adopt this responsible approach.

There used to be a time when choosing eco friendly products meant sacrificing choice or quality, but thankfully that's not the case anymore. So many companies have jumped onto the green bandwagon that consumers have a wider array of choices than ever before. In fact, you can find eco friendly products for just about every avenue of your life, from automobiles to kitchen appliances and even entire homes.

Hybrid vehicles lead the pack of eco friendly products that can have an immediate and positive impact on our world. Cars such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight both reduce fuel usage and cut down on harmful emissions, which makes a powerful one-two punch for the environment. While lots of folks would probably love to drive hybrids such as these, not everyone has the $22,000 necessary to purchase the entry-level models. Fortunately, there are a bunch of other eco friendly products that are much easier on your wallet.

Take clothing, for instance. Conventional clothing that is made from fabrics such as cotton put a tremendous burden on the world's water supply, as it takes a lot of water to keep cotton fields irrigated. Moreover, most growers use pesticides and other harmful chemicals to protect their crops. These chemicals can then seep into the soil or groundwater, causing even more damage. Conversely, clothing manufacturers that produce eco friendly products use such materials as hemp, bamboo, soy, and other sustainable textiles. The production of these materials does not take the same toll on the Earth, and has the added benefit of providing much-needed agricultural jobs to people in developing countries.

Other eco friendly products that you can incorporate into your daily life include reusable shopping bags, organic soaps and cleaning agents, kitchen disposables (such as paper towels, plastic wrap, and sandwich bags) made of recycled materials, self-charging flashlights and portable radios, and rechargeable batteries. This list contains just a fraction of the growing selection of green goods available, so don't limit yourself to what you see here.

Doing your part for the environment doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your comfortable lifestyle. By making a few small changes like buying eco friendly products whenever possible, you'll be making a bigger contribution than you think!