Today, we should all make a conscious effort to be more environmentally conscious. To ensure that we’re not negatively impacting the environment and contributing to climate change, it would be a good idea to take steps in our everyday lives to reduce our environmental impact. Check out these 6 tips for being more eco-friendly!
1. Go Solar
Solar power systems are great ways to go “green” and save some green (money) while doing it. Installing a solar power system doesn’t just help with your electric bill, it can also reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier environment. But, not everyone can install it. It will depend on the weather of your region meaning how much sunlight you get. Alaska and Canada might not be the best place to install it but if you live in Australia or other regions with a lot of sun then go for it! If you do live in Australia, you can find solar rebates in Brisbane and other cities as with solar panels, you will get free, clean power for 25 – 30 years.
2. Recycle
Recycling is an easy way to lessen the amount of waste that you throw out every day. Aluminum cans, paper, metal, glass bottles – most of these can be recycled. Also, many products such as milk cartons and some types of plastic can be recycled. However, not all plastics can be recycled so check out this list before you start throwing it in the bin. Recycling is a great way to reduce our carbon footprint and help save our environment.
Besides recycling, you should also start composting which is when you take food scraps and other things like leaves, grass clippings, etc., and turn them into compost.
3. Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Most of us like to make our home nice and clean. However, cleaning products that we use can be harmful to the environment. These include products such as bleach or oven cleaner. Look up some good, safe alternatives such as baking soda and lemon juice (or white vinegar) to substitute for these harsh chemicals. Also, use some essential oils for nice aromas! You can find plenty of recipes online for homemade cleaning products but if you don’t like making it by yourself, you can also buy eco-friendly products. Just make sure to read the label and look for the green, eco-friendly symbol on the box.
4. Wear Eco-Friendly Clothes
Mass production of clothes has a huge impact on the environment. It takes about 700 gallons of water to produce just one cotton shirt. That’s just one shirt! Also, all that sewage from factories can have a negative impact on our waterways and oceans by adding loads of chemicals and bacteria. But you can help by buying second-hand clothes and recycling your old clothes. Buying second-hand is a great way to save money and reduce your carbon footprint on the environment. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something new, look for materials that use sustainable production methods. Buy organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, etc.
5. Turn Off The Lights
This is one of the easiest things to do yet so many people still forget to do it. Instead of leaving your lights on when you’re not home or asleep, turn them off. It’s also important to unplug items such as TVs and phones when they’re not being used. It may seem like a small thing but these little things add up to a big difference for the planet! You should also get rid of your conventional light bulbs and switch to LED light bulbs.
6. Drive Less
Cars are one of the biggest contributors to carbon footprints. Not only do we need to consider the manufacturing of cars and their effect on the environment, but we also need to consider all the cars that are driven every day. Choose public transportation, ride a bike, walk. There are so many ways to travel around without having to drive everywhere. Alternatively, if you must drive then carpool with friends or family members. You can also try e-scooters or rental bikes. Using a bike or e-scooter can help you stay active, have fun and save money on gas.
Since many people are not aware of the negative effects that our everyday lives have on the environment, it would be a good idea to implement some eco-friendly changes in your daily routine. The 6 tips for being more eco-friendly should help you get started with small changes that will make an impact! We hope to see you recycling and composting more often!
