The Environmental Impact of Everyday Habits: Beyond What Meets the Eye

When one thinks about cotton pads, it’s easy to assume these simple discs made from natural cotton are environmentally friendly. Surprisingly, many commercially available cotton pads aren’t as biodegradable as they might appear. Their journey from cotton fields to our homes involves processes that compromise their biodegradability and contribute to environmental impact (World Wildlife Fund, 2021). However, understanding the issues behind these products can help us make more sustainable choices.

Firstly, cotton pads are often bleached and treated with chemicals to achieve that clean, white appearance, slowing down their natural decomposition. Untreated cotton decomposes in a few months, but chemical treatments can delay or prevent this breakdown (International Cotton Advisory Committee, 2018). Opting for organic, untreated cotton pads is a small shift that can make a big difference.

Synthetic fibres like polyester or rayon are sometimes added to make cotton pads softer or more durable, but these fibres don’t break down naturally, lingering in landfills for decades. This knowledge has encouraged many brands to start producing 100% biodegradable cotton pads, so looking for these options can be a simple swap.

Packaging also plays a role. Many cotton pads come wrapped in single-use plastic. Opting for products with compostable or minimal packaging reduces waste. For those wanting to take things further, reusable makeup cloths or washable cotton pads made from materials like bamboo are even better alternatives, as they cut down on waste and packaging (Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], 2022).

Daily habits impact

The environmental impact of other daily habits is often surprising but also encouraging, as awareness leads to change. For instance, streaming videos or music online requires data centres to store and transmit files—centres that consume large amounts of electricity. Watching a single video might have a small impact, but collectively, data centres produce emissions comparable to the airline industry (Malmodin & Lundén, 2018). Fortunately, many tech companies are moving toward renewable energy sources, and we can help by downloading frequently used files to reduce streaming or by choosing to support platforms with green energy initiatives (Osibo et al., 2023).

Likewise, air conditioning is another contributor to carbon emissions. Cooling our homes and workspaces with air conditioners consumes much energy, especially during summer peaks. Yet small shifts can help, like using fans alongside AC units, setting thermostats a few degrees higher, and choosing energy-efficient models. Recent innovations are also making strides, such as AC units with eco-friendly refrigerants or solar-powered options (International Energy Agency [IEA], 2019).

AI technology, while revolutionary in many ways, also has an environmental footprint that’s often overlooked. Running powerful algorithms, especially in cloud computing environments, requires significant energy. Companies and researchers are now actively seeking ways to make AI more energy-efficient, with tech giants developing sustainable data centres and investing in greener algorithms. Users can support these efforts using digital tools and platforms prioritising sustainability (Schwartz et al., 2020).

Other common habits can be adjusted too. Sending fewer emails or reducing email attachments, choosing ground shipping over rush delivery for online shopping, and buying fewer fast-fashion items reduce resource consumption and waste. Food waste is another area where small changes—like meal planning or composting—can significantly impact greenhouse gas emissions from landfills (United Nations Environment Programme [UNEP], 2021).

Conclusion

Making these adjustments helps shift the conversation from “Can I make a difference?” to “Look at what we can achieve together.” With more brands offering eco-friendly products and technology improving sustainability, these choices don’t just benefit the environment—they create a culture of awareness and proactive change. Our decisions add up as individuals, leading us closer to a more sustainable and balanced way of living.

If you think that you can benefit from professional support on this issue you can reach out here.

Abigail Church is a Humanistic Integrative Counsellor who works with adults and children through counselling with Willingness. She can be contacted on abigail@willingness.com.mt or call us on 79291817. 

References:

1. Environmental Protection Agency. (2022). Sustainable packaging and waste reduction. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/recycling
2. International Cotton Advisory Committee. (2018). Environmental impact of cotton. Retrieved from https://www.icac.org/
3. International Energy Agency. (2019). The future of cooling: Opportunities for energy-efficient air conditioning. Retrieved from https://www.iea.org/reports/the-future-of-cooling
4. Malmodin, J., & Lundén, D. (2018). The energy and carbon footprint of the global ICT and E&M sectors 2010–2015. Sustainability, 10(9), 3027.
5. Osibo, B., & Adamo, S. (2023). Dara centres and green energy: Paving the way for a sustainable digital future. International Journal of Latest Technology in Engineering Management & Applied Science, XII(XI): 15-30.
6. Schwartz, R., Dodge, J., Smith, N., & Etzioni, O. (2020). Green AI. Communications of the ACM, 63(12), 54–63.
7. United Nations Environment Programme. (2021). Food Waste Index Report 2021. Retrieved from https://www.unep.org/