“Penguins are remarkably well adapted to their icy environment, thanks to millions of years of evolution.”

You're reading a web page about penguins written by someone who's really interested in them. The page is explaining penguins scientifically. It says:

Penguins are remarkably well adapted to their icy environment, thanks to millions of years of evolution.

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“It may not be too eco-friendly, but they're a lot easier to carry that way.”

You're chatting with a friend about the topic of going to the supermarket. You've just said that you always choose to have your groceries bagged in plastic bags. You know that your friend supports environmental issues, so you feel that you have to explain your choice . You say:

It may not be too eco-friendly, but they're a lot easier to carry that way.

(something) may not be (adjective), but (sentence)

Use this expression to admit that something bad is true, but then explain why you're doing it or using it anyway:

Drinking a lot of coffee may not be good for you, but I just can't help myself. I have to have it!

She may not be as young as she used to be, but she's still young at heart.

This example uses a noun phrase after "may not be" instead of an adjective:

I may not be the smartest guy in the world, but I'm smart enough to know when I'm being lied to.

not too (adjective)

In the example above, "too" means "very". Here are some other examples of this:

We're not too happy about the way that he was running things.

A: How's your dad?

B: You know, he's not doing too well. He may need surgery.

"Not too ___" can also have the meaning of "not more than you want":

What a nice day! Not too hot, not too cold.

I like a cake that's not too sweet, you know?

You should be able to tell the difference between these meanings based on the situation.

(something) is eco-friendly

Something that is "eco-friendly" is safe for the environment. Recycled products can be called "eco-friendly". A car that uses less gasoline is also "eco-friendly". 

You wouldn't say that a person is "eco-friendly". Only products and people's actions can be eco-friendly. To describe a person who is careful to protect the Earth, use the phrase "environmentally conscious".

That's not very environmentally conscious of me, is it?

(something) is easier to (do something) that way

Use this phrase to explain a better way to do something:

Lay it on its side and hold it steady with your other hand. It's easier to cut that way.

I try to memorize new words within an example sentence. They're easier to remember that way.

“Don't be wasteful. Let's donate them.”

You and your husband have some old clothes and children's toys that you don't need any more. Your husband suggests throwing them away. You don't like that idea because it's bad for the environment and because you think that someone else might still want them. You say:

Don't be wasteful. Let's donate them.

don't be (adjective)

The expression "Don't be ___" is useful for when you want someone to act differently:

Don't be silly! Don't be so sensitive. Don't be angry at me, please. Don't be selfish.

(someone is) wasteful

You call a person "wasteful" when they throw away things that could be used again, or when they buy things that they don't use. You can also use "wasteful" to describe a person's actions instead of the person themselves:

Using paper plates and plastic cups all the time is so wasteful!

donate (something)

To "donate" something means to give it to a person or group that needs help. People donate things to individuals whose houses have burned down, to churches, to homeless shelters, and to thrift stores like in the example above. Things that people can donate include:

donate money donate blood donate used clothes donate food

“That's not very environmentally conscious of me, is it?”

You admitted to a friend that you usually drink bottled water, even though you know that the bottles are bad for the environment. Your friend is very interested in environmental issues. You want to show that you feel a little guilty about it. You say:

That's not very environmentally conscious of me, is it?

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“I have to admit, I do prefer bottled water.”

You're talking with a friend who's very serious about doing things to improve the environment. You mostly agree with him, but he mentions that bottled water causes a lot of pollution. You always drink bottled water, so you say:

I have to admit, I do prefer bottled water.

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“Yeah, it's a huge environmental disaster.”

Memorize

You're talking with a coworker about a large oil spill. She is talking about how big of a problem it is. You agree, so you say:

Yeah, it's a huge environmental disaster.

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“The economy has taken priority over environmental issues.”

You're writing an essay about things the government has been doing to control climate change. You want to explain that the government hasn't done much to fight climate change because they have been focused on improving the economy instead. You write:

For the past few years, the economy has taken priority over environmental issues.

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