How to Stop Supporting Big Polluters

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IN THIS ARTICLE

1Buy fewer commercial snacks and bottled drinks.

2Build a wardrobe full of sustainable classics.

3Use earth-friendly cleaning products.

4Eliminate plastic from your beauty routine.

5Get containers you can use more than once.

6Switch to renewable energy.

7Divest from companies that pollute.

8Tell your friends what you're doing.

9Support citizen lawsuits against polluters.

10Pressure government representatives.

11Organize a boycott.

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You've likely seen lots of tips on how you can live a more "green" lifestyle and reduce your own carbon footprint—but the reality is that no matter how you change your own lifestyle, it really won't affect the climate change crisis that much. Studies show that 90 companies around the world are responsible for nearly 2/3 of all major industrial greenhouse emissions. If those companies don't clean up their acts—and fast—all of your individual efforts will be for naught. Here, we've gathered some of the best tips for you if you want to stop supporting the big polluters and encourage them to make concrete changes that will help save the Earth for generations to come.

Steps

1

Buy fewer commercial snacks and bottled drinks.

1. 
   Snack and drink companies are some of the biggest polluters globally. Mass-produced snacks and bottled drinks use a lot of fossil fuels during the manufacturing process, and they also leave a lot of waste packaging behind. This makes companies such as Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and PepsiCo some of the top plastic polluters.

   • You can always buy the ingredients to make your own trail mix to eat when a snack craving hits, or buy sweets from local artisanal shops so you're supporting both small businesses and the environment.
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2

Build a wardrobe full of sustainable classics.

1. 
   Leading fast-fashion companies are also big polluters. You know that most trends are "out" before that hot new top makes it through the laundry. Instead of jumping on the latest trend with a cheap outfit from Zara or H&M, look for sustainable basics produced by companies with sustainable, earth-friendly manufacturing processes.

   • Pact and Boden are 2 companies that make ethical, fair-trade clothing that's eco-friendly. While it might be slightly more expensive than something you'd buy at a fast-fashion retailer, it'll last longer. Over time, your cost-per-use will actually be lower.
   • Buying used items at thrift stores is another way to decrease the demand for new products made by big polluters.

3

Use earth-friendly cleaning products.

1. 
   Most commercial cleaning products harm the environment. Manufacturers pollute when making the product, then they put it in a plastic bottle, then you spray the chemicals into the air as you're cleaning. Along every step of the way, these cleaning products are bad for the environment—and might be harming your health as well. Choose environmentally friendly products with non-toxic ingredients.

   • Look beyond vague claims on the label telling you a product is "green" or "eco-friendly." If you're in the US, look for a "Safer Choice" label from the EPA—products that carry that label have been tested to meet high certification standards.
   • Environmentally friendly products should also have efficient packaging that's either recyclable, made from recycled material, or both.
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4

Eliminate plastic from your beauty routine.

1. 
   Replace your personal care products with eco-friendly alternatives. Major personal care brands are responsible for a lot of plastic pollution. Just think of all the packaging that goes into a single compact or blush pot! Even if you don't wear makeup, your deodorant, shampoo, shower gel, and other personal care products are to blame for a lot of pollution globally.

   • UpCircle Beauty (skincare) and Beauty Kitchen (skincare and haircare) are just 2 of many personal care brands that are committed to creating sustainable beauty and personal care products.
   • Micro-beads are a huge focus in the personal care sector. These tiny plastic balls might do a lovely job of exfoliating your skin, but then they get washed down the drain and travel into the water supply to pollute rivers, streams, and oceans. Check your products and get rid of anything that contains micro-beads.

5

Get containers you can use more than once.

1. 
   Bring your own containers rather than taking throw-away options. All those cardboard cups from your daily coffee make Starbucks one of the top polluters in North America. Instead, buy a to-go cup that you can get refilled every day. Carry this philosophy through to other parts of your life as well, with a focus on things you can use many times rather than throwing them away after using them once.

   • For example, you could carry cloth totes to the grocery store rather than getting paper or plastic bags. Even if you reuse the bag for trash, you're still only using it twice, compared to the many times you could use a tote.
   • Buy a water bottle that you can refill rather than buying bottled water and tossing the bottles when you're done. Sure, you can recycle—but that only addresses part of the problem. Those bottles require a lot of pollution (through the burning of fossil fuels) to produce.
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6

Switch to renewable energy.

1. 
   Decrease your dependence on the grid to give power plants less business. Power plants are responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than any other sector. The less of their energy you need, the better. If you can run your home on renewable power, such as wind or solar, do it! If that isn't within your means, there are still ways you can decrease your consumption of fossil fuels, such as driving a hybrid car or taking public transportation.

   • Even if you can't convert your home's power supply, you can still take small steps to consume less electricity, such as using LED light bulbs and Energy Star appliances.
   • You can also purchase carbon offsets, which replace fossil fuels with clean renewable energy. Your investment in renewable energy helps offset the carbon released into the atmosphere as a result of your fossil fuel use—hence the name.

7

Divest from companies that pollute.

1. 
   Sell any stock you own in big polluters or fossil fuel companies. If you have a retirement or investment account, take a look at your holdings. Talk to your broker about your options if you want to eliminate big polluters from your investments. Many brokers and retirement funds offer "fossil-fuel-free" portfolios.

   • If you're not able to sell the investments you have, you might be able to pressure the broker to change its investment practices. For a retirement fund you contribute to through your employer, talk to your employer about offering a green option.
   • By investing in companies that use carbon capture and storage techniques to draw carbon out of the atmosphere, you can also help offset the amount of carbon produced each year.
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8

Tell your friends what you're doing.

1. 
   Share your information on social media and encourage others to join you. As you learn more about big polluters and the way they're harming the environment, use your social networks to spread the information far and wide. If you've decided to no longer buy products from a big polluter, let your friends and family know and see if they're willing to stop supporting that company as well.

   • If you feel comfortable, make your posts public rather than restricting them to people you know. That way, your friends can share the information as well if they feel so inclined.
   • You can also use social media platforms to connect with others around the world and spread awareness of the climate change crisis and what can be done about it.

9

Support citizen lawsuits against polluters.

1. 
   Donate money to public interest lawyers that fight big polluters. Citizens' groups go up against polluters all the time—and their legal representatives often work for nonprofit organizations. These lawsuits have the potential to force big polluters to change their policies and pay for the damage they've caused, but it also takes a lot of money and resources to fight these battles in court.

   • Many nonprofit organizations and public interest law firms also have ongoing class-action lawsuits. If there's one related to a big polluter near where you live, you might be able to join the class. In the US, you can find open class action lawsuits at https://www.classaction.org/list-of-lawsuits.
   • If you have legal training, you might also find out if you can volunteer your services on a public interest lawsuit fighting pollution.
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10

Pressure government representatives.

1. 
   Petition your representatives to pass strong environmental legislation. Lawmakers are in the best position to stop big polluters in their tracks. Tell your representatives that you support legislation that penalizes companies for damaging the environment. Many nonprofit organizations have scripts you can use to call or write your representatives and let them know where you stand.

   • Some of the biggest air polluters are defense contractors. Tell your representatives that you oppose increases in defense spending and support stronger environmental regulation of the defense industry.
   • Local government also has opportunities to make decisions that can potentially affect big polluters, including through zoning regulations and local laws. Speaking up at zoning board and city council meetings can help end government support of companies that pollute.
   • You might also let politicians know that you won't support them if they accept any money from big polluters. Instead, campaign and vote for candidates with strong environmental platforms that don't take donations from companies that are harming the environment.

11

Organize a boycott.

1. 
   Work with community leaders to convince companies to change. Boycotting a company that's harming the environment can send a powerful message and cause the company to change its ways—but you can't do it alone. To truly make an impact, get respected leaders and organizations on your side so hundreds, if not thousands, of people will join with you.

   • National and global nonprofit organizations can help you get publicity and gain new supporters for your boycott.
   • A smaller boycott might be helpful against a single local store, but it won't make a difference to a large global corporation.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  How can I reduce my carbon footprint?

  

  Kathryn Kellogg
  Sustainability Specialist

  Kathryn Kellogg is the founder of goingzerowaste.com, a lifestyle website dedicated to breaking eco-friendly living down into a simple step-by-step process with lots of positivity and love. She's the author of 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste and spokesperson for plastic-free living for National Geographic.

  

  Kathryn Kellogg

  Sustainability Specialist

  Expert Answer

  Look for ways to reduce your use of plastic, such as getting bar soap or shampoo bars for shower time.

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Tips

• A lot of companies claim to be "green" when they're really not. If you want to know the truth, check out the company's environmental record for yourself. The National Audubon Society has a handy guide that can jumpstart your research, available at https://www.audubon.org/news/how-tell-if-company-green-or-not.
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