Many people find it overwhelming to consider how they can positively impact the environment, believing it takes a whole-life turnaround. However, this is not the case. There are many easy, everyday things you can do to drastically help the environment, and here are just 20 of them.
Reduce Your Food Waste
According to the USDA, 30-40% of the food supply is wasted, with many people often cooking far-too-large portions or forgetting about food in the fridge. One of the best things you can do for the environment is avoid buying excess food and store leftovers properly to avoid waste.
Use Reusable Bags
A simple way to help the environment is to invest in a dependable, reusable bag, such as a canvas tote, for your grocery shopping. This will eliminate disposable bag waste. You can keep them by the door or in the car, so you never risk forgetting them!
Conserve More Water
It can make a huge difference if you try to cut down on water consumption on a daily basis. One of the best ways to do this is to install water-saving fixtures in your bathroom, such as low-flow showerheads, or simply avoid using the garden hose excessively!
Unplug Your Electronics
Are you someone who usually leaves their phone charger plugged in and switched on when it doesn’t need to be? Another simple step in helping the environment is to always disconnect electronics when you’re not using them to conserve energy.
Switch to Sustainable Products
If you have items you always need to purchase on a long-term basis, see if there are eco-friendly alternatives from sustainable brands or companies that use sustainable packaging. Anything you can buy that is recyclable or ethical will help the environment.
Drive Less
The Washington Department of Ecology says you will emit zero pollutants if you don’t drive, which is why switching to cycling to your destination can be a positive step without hindering your plans. Another easy step is to carpool with friends to reduce carbon emissions.
Support Renewable Energy
Another easy action is to switch to a renewable energy provider if one is available in your area. This will help the environment without compromising on your energy supply. You may even get cheaper energy deals if you switch to sustainable energy.
Plant a Tree
You don’t have to go outside and plant a tree yourself to support the environment this way – it can be as simple as buying a product or gift that also has a tree planted in your name from the company. You could even donate to reforestation causes.
Make Sure Your Appliances are Energy-Efficient
You’ll be using your kettle, microwave, and coffee maker anyway, so why not switch to more environmentally friendly models? If you’re looking to replace old models, it’s the perfect time to make a switch and choose more energy-efficient appliances that will benefit both the environment and your bills!
Avoid as Much Plastic as You Can
Another simple step you can take is to try and cut down your plastic usage, which can easily be done by switching to paper straws and using a reusable water bottle or coffee cup instead of a disposable one. Store your food in glass or metal containers, and choose plastic-free packaging.
Go Paperless as Much as Possible
A very easy change you can make in your daily life is to go paperless. This act will help the environment and make your life more clutter-free! Eliminate paper waste by switching bills and communications to digital-only and downloading apps for your travel tickets and boarding passes.
Support Local Farmers
You can easily reduce your carbon footprint by choosing to grocery shop at your local farmers’ markets. By buying food from your local farmers, you’ll be helping to maintain farmland and open green spaces in your community, says Michigan State University.
Make Sure You’re Recycling Properly
Recycling is one of the simplest ways to help the environment, but you need to make sure you’re doing it the right way. Check your local recycling guidelines to ensure you’re avoiding contamination, and rinse out any bottles or items before placing them in your bin.
Eat Less Meat
You don’t have to go full vegetarian in order to make a positive environmental impact, as even just a Meatless Monday can help. Research new plant-based recipes to introduce less harmful foods into your diet, and support restaurants or brands that offer sustainable meat alternatives.
Switch to Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Additionally, a simple action that can help the environment is switching your cleaning brand. You can choose natural ingredients and biodegradable cleaning products instead of harsh chemicals – or you can even make your own at home with vinegar and baking soda to save money and help the environment!
Save Energy at Home
There are many easy switches you can make at home to reduce environmental impact, too. These include switching to energy-saving light bulbs, insulating your home to reduce its heating needs, and closing your curtains on hot days to reduce your home cooling costs.
Rent or Borrow Items Instead of Buying New
Another positive difference can be made by borrowing or renting items instead of purchasing brand-new ones, such as borrowing books from your local library or renting a bicycle when you need it. Using temporary or shared services will help reduce the impact of constantly buying new ones.
Reduce Your Air Travel
If you’re racking up a lot of air miles, a simple beneficial action can be to reduce plane trips by opting for video calls over long distances instead, such as for business conferences. Or, you can choose train or bus travel instead of domestic flights.
Upcycle and Repurpose Where You Can
Help the environment by transforming furniture and items you already have to avoid waste. Upcycling helps the planet by “giving used products a new life” and by reducing the need for “unethically sourced or unsustainable materials, like plastic,” says GAIN via LinkedIn.
Educate Others
Lastly, one simple thing you can do to help the environment is to speak out! It costs nothing to let your friends and family know how they can take all the helpful steps mentioned here, or you can take more active steps by getting involved with your local eco-friendly community.
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