Take the Little Steps to Go Green and Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Many of us would love to go green but aren’t quite ready to make the drastic changes to our lifestyles. Luckily, there are various simple ways to be more eco-friendly. We can drastically reduce our carbon footprints by making small changes such as using less water, eating smart, and making our own cleaning supplies. Being a more environmentally friendly person isn’t as hard as it may seem.

Stop Buying Bottled Water

Bottled water is not only very costly, but it also contributes to huge amounts of plastic waste. An easy way to cut down on container waste is to use purified tap water instead of bottled water. You can purchase a reusable aluminum water bottle for travel, which is much more eco-friendly than buying and throwing away plastic containers every day.

Make Better Food Choices

The harsh reality is that much of our food is obtained in environmentally destructive ways. Meat is one of the worst offenders, as the livestock sector produces a significant amount of harmful greenhouse gases. Buying organic and locally raised food is better for the environment than mass-produced foods. If possible, try to cut out meat from your diet and replace it with more beans, legumes, vegetables, and fruits.

Use Less Water

Not only will using less water cut down your bills, it will also help reduce your carbon footprint. Taking shorter showers will save water and heating energy. Low-flow shower heads are also ideal for water conservation. Investing in plants that require less water is also a good idea.

Use Eco-Friendly Materials

Purchasing eco-friendly clothing, furniture, mattresses, and home goods is an excellent way to go green. Examples of environmentally friendly materials include organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, certified sustainable wood, recycled metal, natural latex, and organic wool. Switching a traditional mattress for a natural latex mattress or a pair of nylon pants for organic cotton pants is an easy way to make a difference.

Make Your Own Cleaning Supplies

It is very easy to make non-toxic and effective cleaning supplies to use in your home, and they are much better for the environment than commercial products. Natural ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda, soap, and lemon can be used to make products such as window cleaners and countertop disinfectants. It will also save you money and will generate less container waste.

Use Canvas Bags

Plastic bags generate huge amounts of waste. Those little bags you receive at the grocery store will end up in a landfill, where they take hundreds of years to decompose. Reusable canvas bags are much better for the environment and can usually hold more than the flimsy plastic bags. They might initially cost more, but they can last for years and are useful for many different things.

Walk Or Bike To Work

Car emissions are a leading contribution of greenhouse gases and pollution to the environment. A great way to go green is to skip the car drive and walk or bike to work instead. This will also save you money on gas and can help you get more fit. Even biking to work just one day of the week will reduce your greenhouse emissions significantly.

Recycle Electronics

Keeping your old computers, cell phones, and other electronics out of the trash is the responsible and eco-friendly way to keep mercury and other toxins out of our landfills. It is best to either donate or recycle your items when you no longer need them. Look for recycling and hazardous waste disposal options in your area.

Going green doesn’t have to be difficult and anyone can do it. From avoiding bottled water to using homemade cleaning supplies, taking little steps in the right direction is better than making no effort, and often times, the little things make a big difference. So what are you waiting for? Going green is more possible than ever, and the environment will thank you for your contribution!