10 Easy Ways to Be More Eco Friendly

Let’s face it, there’s no denying that we’ve done some damage to the Earth – our home – over the years. There are countless groups, movements, and practices that aim to be more “eco-friendly”.

The truth is, being more environmentally conscious is easy. You don’t necessarily need to go to crazy extremes to be eco-friendly. There are many simple things you can do to reduce the waste you produce, the resources that you use, and the harm inflicted on our planet and all that inhabits it.

Consider giving these ten easy things a try. They can be eco-friendly ideas for home or even for your business. You’ll be amazed as you become more aware of just how much waste we produce as humans.

1. 1. Eat Less (or no) Meat

      All dietary changes can be challenging at first. But you’ll find that if you truly want to make a change, it’s a breeze after a short time. Transitioning to veganism or even gradually working towards a more plant-based diet can greatly reduce the negative impacts of dairy farms meat production industry.

      You really don’t have to “sacrifice” much of anything at all. It’s fun to discover new delicious vegan recipes and craft your own favorites.

1. 2. Be More Quantity Conscious

      We live in a consumer society.  It seems like too many of us just want more, regardless of what or how much we already have. You could likely even see this within yourself as you become more self-aware.

      By approaching things from a different angle, whether it be gifts, food, clothing, or anything else – you can make significant reductions to the waste you produce. Strive to focus more on what you need, and avoid living in excess.

1. 3. Cut Out Single-use Plastics

      Silverware, dishes, bags, water bottles… the list goes on. According to Earthday.org, about 50% of plastics produced are for single use purposes. This equated to approximately 168 million metric tons of plastic in 2016 – used once and then thrown away. It’s time we ditch the single use items and start focusing on reusable items.

      You can contribute to reducing single use plastics in many ways. Bring reusable grocery bags with you to stores instead of using plastic ones, stop using plastic straws at restaurants, or carry reusable food utensils on you to avoid using plastic ones.

1. 4. Start Composting

      Much of our “trash” can be composted. This reduces the volume of garbage sent to landfills, aiding in the reduction of methane emissions and minimizing our carbon footprint. It also provides excellent fertilizer for vegetable gardens, flowers, and other plants.

      The Environmental Protection Agency states that about 30% of what we throw away can and should be composted instead.

1. 5. Reduce Electricity Consumption

      There are many ways that you can reduce electricity consumption. You can invest in more energy efficient light bulbs and appliances, be more conscious of turning off lights when you leave a room, or take more advantage of the natural light sources in your home. This will not only provide environmental benefit, but save you some cash as well!

1. 6. Don’t Do Disposable

      Too many of us have grown accustomed to “disposable” everything. Much of this falls into the single use plastics category as well, but there is so much more we can do to focus on reusability. Paper products such as paper towels, napkins, and paper plates are also great candidates for cutting out disposable items.

      Think of the three R’s that we all learned as kids: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – why does it seem that so many of us have lost sight of this?

1. 7. Borrow, Don’t Buy – and if You Do, Buy Used

      Getting over the desire to have “new” or “permanent” things can prove beneficial in many ways. You are making use of items that may otherwise be discarded, you can save a lot of money, and many thrift and resale shops support charities with a portion of their profits.

      This can be a great challenge to propose to family and friends around the holidays. Host your gift exchange with the rule of “used items only” or request that nothing you receive be brand new. It can also serve as a great opportunity to inspire others to be more environmentally conscious.

1. 8. Choose an Eco Friendly Vehicle

      The average person can’t just go out and buy a new vehicle whenever they please, so this item may be a bit more challenging depending on your current vehicle situation. If you find yourself in the market for a new vehicle however, aim to get something that is fuel efficient – or even better, look into hybrid or electric vehicles.

1. 9. Support Organizations that are Making a Difference

      The damage being caused to the environment is a global issue and we can’t fix it alone. There are many organizations and groups that accomplish amazing things to support a more eco-friendly lifestyle. It’s so important to recognize and support these groups so they can continue to grow.

      Your support doesn’t necessarily need to be financial. You could consider volunteering to a local environmental improvement group, or start your own!

10. Insulate Your Home

    Making sure that your home is properly insulated can result in great energy and cost savings for you. According to the U.S Department of Energy, about 48% of energy used in homes is for heating and cooling. Proper insulation can help reduce this, without redistributing it elsewhere.

    Be sure to look into eco-friendly insulation options when shopping around. While it may be more expensive than less eco-friendly alternatives, the energy cost savings you’ll enjoy can help justify the additional cost.

Change Your Thinking to Be More Eco-Friendly

It’s easy to become obsessed with reducing waste and contributing in a positive way to the wellbeing of our home. There are so many ways that you can contribute. This is simply a quick list to get you thinking.

Please comment and share the simple ways that you live eco-friendly, or things that you wish could be improved to reduce waste!