Living eco-friendly is a conscious choice we can all make to ensure our planet remains habitable for future generations. So, we delve into the question: What are the good habits of eco-friendly living, particularly in Nigeria?

In this detailed guide, we explore the various eco-friendly practices in Nigeria, shedding light on their impact on sustainability initiatives.

Overview

Developing eco-friendly habits means adopting practices that do not harm the environment. In recent years, there’s been a global shift towards sustainable living, a trend that has gradually permeated Nigeria.

However, the journey to becoming eco-friendly in Nigeria is not without its challenges. Many Nigerians perceive eco-friendly habits as a luxury or a responsibility of developed countries.

Contrary to this belief, adopting eco-friendly practices is not only beneficial to the environment but also has significant health and economic advantages. Here are some good habits of eco-friendly living in Nigeria.

1. Proper Waste Disposal

One of the fundamental eco-friendly habits is responsible waste disposal. Pollution, primarily caused by the haphazard dumping of waste, contributes significantly to environmental degradation in Nigeria. It’s not uncommon to find people discarding PET bottles or biscuit wrappers carelessly, leading to blocked drainage systems and flooded streets.

Adopting the habit of disposing of refuse appropriately is a significant step towards eco-friendly living. Most states in Nigeria have waste disposal systems with waste collectors responsible for collecting refuse from various parts of the state. By organizing your waste appropriately, you contribute to cleaner streets and reduced pollution.

2. Reusing Items

Reusing items is another essential habit of eco-friendly living. Before discarding an item, consider whether it could serve another purpose.

For instance, the shopping bag from the market could be used a couple of more times before it wears out. Similarly, you could repurpose a soft drink bottle to store water or give out old clothes to those in need instead of throwing them away.

The objective here is to limit the amount of waste we generate. Online tutorials can provide creative ideas on how to reuse various items, from cartons to glass bottles.

3. Recycling

Recycling is a handy eco-friendly practice that contributes to waste reduction and environmental sustainability. Contrary to popular belief, recycling isn’t an expensive or complicated process.

In fact, several recycling companies in Nigeria can assist with this. By taking your waste materials (plastic, glass, rubber) to these companies, you facilitate the transformation of these materials into new products.

4. Purchasing Eco-friendly Products

Purchasing eco-friendly products is a simple yet effective way of promoting sustainability. Instead of buying a leather purse or belt, consider alternatives made from synthetic material like faux leather. Opt for clothes with fake fur instead of real fur.

Essentially, choose products produced using synthetic materials to ensure no animals were harmed or killed during production. You can easily find eco-friendly brands in Nigeria through a simple online search.

Also read: Sustainable Business Models for Long-term Growth and Impact

5. Using Clean Energy

Nigeria consumes an estimated 40 million liters of petrol or diesel daily for electricity generation. Opting for clean energy sources like wind, solar, and waste is an excellent way to promote eco-friendly living.

The use of modular solar-powered generating plants can greatly enhance environmental preservation. The Nigeria Energy Commission is tasked with ensuring a reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable energy supply for the nation, which includes advocating for new energy sources.

6. Efficient Transportation Systems

Creating efficient transportation systems is another way of promoting eco-friendly living. Transportation contributes significantly to carbon emissions and air pollution. By promoting and using public transportation options, carpooling, or bike-sharing services, we can reduce carbon emissions and air pollution.

7. Green Building and Construction

As urbanization continues to spread in Nigeria, there’s a growing demand for sustainable building and construction practices.

Green building practices involve the use of renewable materials, energy-efficient designs, and waste-reduction techniques. By adopting these practices, we can significantly reduce the environmental impact of construction activities.

8. Eco-Tourism

Eco-tourism is a form of sustainable travel that aims to conserve the environment and improve the well-being of the local people. Eco-lodges, resorts, and tour operators can adopt sustainable tourism practices such as conservation, waste reduction, and community engagement.

These businesses can contribute to the preservation of natural resources and cultural heritage while creating employment opportunities for local communities.

9. Organic Farming

Organic farming is a method of crop and livestock production that involves much more than choosing not to use pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, antibiotics, and growth hormones.

It is a holistic system designed to optimize the productivity and fitness of diverse communities within the agroecosystem, including soil organisms, plants, livestock, and people.

10. Education and Awareness

Education and awareness about the importance of environmental conservation are crucial to promoting eco-friendly living. This can involve carrying out educational campaigns, conducting workshops on sustainable practices, or providing training on organic farming practices. By raising awareness about environmental issues, we can foster a more environmentally conscious society.

Conclusion

Nigeria, with its abundant renewable resources, has the potential to become a leading player in promoting eco-friendly living. However, to achieve this, we need to debunk the myth that being eco-friendly is a luxury or a responsibility of developed countries.

Through collective effort and commitment, we can make eco-friendly living a way of life in Nigeria. It’s time we all asked ourselves: What are the good habits of eco-friendly living that we can adopt today?