Going green can sound a little intimidating. If you’re like most people, you probably want to reduce your carbon footprint without having to change your whole lifestyle to fit your green goals. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy ways to be more eco-friendly that don’t require huge lifestyle changes. These five tips for going green will fit seamlessly into your routine.
Use Reusable Products
One of the easiest ways to practice sustainable living is to start using reusable products rather than single-use items. Disposable water bottles, straws, coffee cups, plastic bags, and thousands of other items can be harmful to wildlife and take many years to break down in landfills. You can help prevent injuries to wildlife and reduce the amount of trash in landfills by switching to reusable water bottles, metal straws, reusable thermoses, washable plastic or glass food containers, and more. Not only will this help the environment, but it’ll also save you money in the long run since you won’t have to repurchase these items every time you need them.
Try Recycling
Unfortunately, most people can’t easily switch to a zero waste lifestyle. However, recycling is the next best thing, and best of all, it’s super easy. Nearly all products that you purchase will say on the label what parts can be recycled. All you have to do is follow those directions. When you’re out and about, look for recycling bins for cans, bottles, paper, and other common recyclables. For your home, see if your city offers recycling pick up when they collect trash. If there isn’t a pickup option, find a local recycling center, and drop off your waste regularly. Some recycling centers will even pay you for your trash!
Switch to Carpooling
The simple act of driving your car to work or school each day releases a lot of harmful gas into the atmosphere. You can cut down on air pollution from vehicles by carpooling or taking public transportation. Sure, your car or the bus you’re on will still release gases, but even if you share a ride with one other person, the amount of gas two you would have emitted is cut in half. If you want to go emission-free, try walking or biking, or trade-in your car for an electric vehicle.
Start Composting
Composting is a great way to be a better friend to the environment, especially if you’re into gardening. All you have to do is toss your compostable waste into an indoor or outdoor compost bin, and let it break down naturally. As the waste breaks down, it creates a rich soil that is naturally repellant to insects and pests. If you use that soil in your garden, you won’t have to use chemical fertilizers or repellants that are harmful to the environment. Just like that, you’ve reduced the amount of garbage going to landfills and the number of chemicals being used for gardening.
Support Green Companies
Companies can’t succeed without the support of loyal customers. You can use your hard-earned money to send a message that you’ll only support companies that care about the environment. Before making large purchases, do your research to see if the seller practices green production. You can also familiarize yourself with the practices of all of your go-to brands before going to the grocery store. If you find that a company isn’t responsible, switch to one that is. Your money will help eco-friendly companies succeed, and it may persuade other companies to change their ways.
You can easily integrate these five tips into your lifestyle. You’ll barely notice any difference, but the environment sure will!
