It only takes a little effort and slight changes in your life to preserve the environment for future generations.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
It’s easy to be a consumer. However, if you develop an awareness of the waste in landfills across the country, you’ll likely want to adopt policies that help to reduce it. Making a practice of purchasing recycled products such as paper and plastics is a good starting place. Using your electronic device to read books versus buying a hard copy, or visiting the library, is another example. Try to use every possibility to avoid using paper such as sending emails and text messages, and using access to the internet to pay your bills online.
To improve your efforts, you may even ask yourself, “is there a Zero Waste store near me?” Zero Waste is a lifestyle movement aimed at eliminating or drastically reducing the amount of trash we use every day. Here are a few tips to get you started on your journey to helping the planet.
Use Sustainable Products
Sustainable products are eco-friendly. They come from natural sources. For instance, using the best bamboo toothbrush to brush your teeth and beeswax to wrap up leftovers from dinner eliminate the need for additional plastics and chemical processes. This helps to lessen the release of toxins into the air. They’re both plant-based and biodegradable, so they will decompose back into their natural state.
Reusable Products
Filtered water pitchers and travel mugs are reusable, eliminating the need for disposable plastic bottles, which can take up to 40 years to decompose. They keep water fresh and at a desirable temperature for drinking on demand. Bamboo canisters are multi-purpose, designed for the kitchen, bathroom, and office for storage. They are naturally free of PVCs, BPAs, and phthalates. Laundry balls containing minerals eliminate the need for laundry detergent, and reusable coffee filters and pods provide an alternative to using endless disposable cups, thereby reducing waste in landfills.
Conserve Energy
You use your washer, dryer, and dishwasher nearly every day. Thankfully, there are a few ways to save energy around your home. Upgrading to an appliance with the Energy-Star label, replacing traditional light bulbs with long-lasting LEDs, and putting in a programmable thermostat are a few examples of how you can lower your energy consumption and save you money. Unplugging appliances and electronics at night and turning off the lights when leaving a room will further enhance your efforts.
Conserve Water
While it seems there’s an endless supply of water, the reality is that most of the water on the planet is not suitable for consumption. For this reason, you need to think responsibly and use water wisely. Turning off the water while brushing your teeth and shaving, soaping up in the shower before you turn the water on, and reducing wash-up times, are a few examples. Running only full loads in the washer and dishwasher, updating plumbing, and replacing faucets and showerheads with energy-efficient models will benefit everyone.
Walk or Bike When Possible
Vehicles push carbon dioxide into the air, but reducing your road mileage is possible. Carpool with family, friends, and co-workers and reserve one day weekly for running errands. Take care of your vehicle by having annual services such as replacement brakes, oil changes, and checking tires to make sure they have the proper air pressure will help reduce emissions. If stores or desired locations are a short distance away, opt to walk or ride your bike. When it comes time for a new car, check out the electric models.
Reduce Waste
Americans waste nearly 40% of the food they buy. Unfortunately, this waste ends up being sent to landfills. Prior to food shopping, make a comprehensive list of the items you will use for the week. Check through the fridge and pantry to see how many of these items you have on hand. Using the freezer to store meat until the day of use and getting creative with leftovers will help you double down on your efforts. Don’t purchase more than what you need and refrain from cooking extra portions. While buying in bulk may seem like a good move, especially for larger families, people tire quickly of the same food and the extra food can end up in the trash.
Reducing your carbon footprint will help you preserve the environment and save you money to enjoy a better quality of life. Use these tips to help you get started!