Ways to Live a Greener Lifestyle

Helping the environment isn’t just about grand gestures, it is about small choices we make daily. Being more eco-friendly is not that difficult. There are plenty of things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. Here are several ways to live a greener lifestyle and help your planet.

Remember to recycle

Recycling has so many benefits for the planet. It not only conserves natural resources, but it also saves energy and reduces pollution. Therefore, remember to sort your trash and recycle paper, batteries, plastics, and glass. You can start by setting up designated recycling containers. When recycling cardboard make sure you flatten it doesn’t take up so much space. Also, each time you go shopping, opt for products that are made out of recycled materials.

Say no to the bag

In this case, we are talking about plastic ones. Did you know that it takes hundreds of years for one plastic bag to completely decompose? In the meantime, it will pollute the planet and threaten wildlife. Any time you get the chance, bring your own bag or go with a paper one.

Visit garage sales

Or thrift stores. Or even Craigslist. Basically, any place where you can get second-hand items. Used goods can be just as nice and functional as brand new ones, and apart from reducing your carbon footprint, they will save you a ton of money. If you are handy with the tools, you can always get used furniture and give it a makeover to look completely new.

Get eco-friendly products for your home

Disposable products such as cheap plastic plates and utensils, paper towels, and napkins make up about 20% of America’s waste stream. Instead of buying such items, invest in durable dishes and glassware for parties, and switch to cloth napkins. You can also buy rechargeable batteries and refillable coffee thermoses. When buying cleaning products for your home, check out eco-friendly options that won’t pollute the planet. Nowadays, you can find many green options, from an eco friendly toilet cleaner to an eco-friendly floor cleaner.

Upcycle

Have you thought about giving your old items a new life? With a little imagination, skill, and creativity you can reuse old materials to create something completely new. For instance, old bottle corks can become bath mats, plastic bottles make amazing planters and various containers can be used as organizers. By upcycling, you can save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Don’t just throw out old electronics

When something isn’t working anymore, the easiest thing is to throw it out. However, when it comes to electronics, many recycles would be thrilled to get their hands on your old laptop or phone. In case your TV or computer is just outdated and you are getting a new one, consider giving the old one to a nonprofit organization or a company that will refurbish it for resale.

Get new lightbulbs

Did you know that LED lights use 75% less energy than your standard bulbs? They have a much longer lifespan. In fact, they can last up to 25 times longer than average bulbs. With these lights you can save a lot of energy, not to mention money. During the holidays, consider getting LED string lights. These are much more efficient and do not emit as much heat as regular ones, which makes them far safer.

Turn off the lights

How many times have you walked out of a room and left the light on even if you weren’t coming back? Turning the unnecessary lights off will help you save energy and lower your carbon footprint. If you tend to forget to turn them off, consider investing in motion sensor lights, which automatically turn off when no one is there.

Eat organic

By now, you have surely heard about how you should opt for healthy and organic foods in order to improve your well-being. However, did you know that eating organic foods can also help you live a greener lifestyle? Such food requires up to 50% less energy to produce. Furthermore, locally-grown food saves even more energy, because the transportation costs are much lower. Therefore, whenever you can, opt for locally-grown organic food.

Being more eco-friendly is easy when you make small changes in your lifestyle. Follow these tips and your planet will thank you.