We’ve put so much burden on our environment through industrialization. However, everyone can make a difference and reduce their environmental footprint by going green. Start a search today to explore ten ways of going green right now.
To put it simply, going green refers to changing your behavior to be friendlier toward the environment. Reducing your household energy usage and using products that are less harmful to our environment are two great ways to start.
1. Keep your indoor temperature close to the outdoor temperature
We spend so much money on keeping our interiors either cool or warm. However, we can save annually just by adjusting our thermostats’ temperature by one degree away from the temperature outside.
This way, we could stay one degree warmer or cooler and at the same time save big on our monthly utility bills. Of course, the indirect benefit to the environment in the form of energy conservation can’t be ignored.
2. Use reusable cloth instead of paper towel
Without realizing it, we literally stuff our trash cans with paper towels. It is said that an average household uses two paper towel rolls every week — and that’s just a conservative estimate.
Paper towels are made of cellulose, which is obtained from trees. So, if we swap paper towels for reusable cloths, it would make a huge difference and save trees.
3. Use low flow showerheads
Taking a longer shower is not recommended if you’re keen on saving some water for your future generations. So, instead of using hundreds of gallons per month and the associated energy to heat or cool it, reduce your water usage when showering. Take a shorter shower and don’t forget to use low-flow showerheads.
4. Use natural household cleaners
On average, a household in America spends $42 on cleaning supplies per month, which are mostly chemically based and sometimes toxic.
We recommend you use natural cleaners instead of artificial or industrial ones. For example, you can use baking soda, essential oils, or vinegar to clean and disinfect. It’s cheaper and safer for the environment.
5. Eat a balanced diet
There are almost limitless types of diets, all claiming to be the best. But what people seldom understand is that these diets sometimes stress only one kind of food.
For instance, most individuals on the Paleo diet eat a large amount of meat. This has an impact on the environment as it demands high amounts of meat. Instead, try and consume a balanced diet with vegetables and whole grains as well.
6. Brew your coffee at home
One story written by a coffee lover who calculated how much money he was spending on coffee is both frightening and educational. According to him, if you buy two cups of coffee per day, you’re actually spending $836 per year.
You can definitely save this money by brewing coffee at home. When brewing at home, you can also limit the use of paper cups, which saves trees.
7. Don’t trash your electronic devices
Mercury waste from trashed electronics is becoming an overwhelming problem for the environment. The electronics we throw away are, for the most part, non-biodegradable and end up sitting in landfills.
So, instead of trashing your mobile phone or electronic devices, recycle, sell, or donate them. You may be able to make a bit of money and you’ll be doing a huge favor for the planet.
8. Use water filters rather than bottled water
World Watch reports that the consumption of bottled water rises every year. These bottles are made of polyethylene terephthalate, a non-biodegradable plastic. Although certain countries have made recycling water bottles mandatory, it is still insufficient.
Besides being harmful to nature, during their manufacturing, gases like hydrocarbons, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide are released. These gases do a good amount of damage to the environment.
9. Use energy-saving light bulbs
According to MindBodyGreen, using just five energy-saving light bulbs certified by Energy Star will help you save $75 per year. This is, in turn, is equivalent to getting rid of 5.8 million cars.
10. Eat less takeout
Not only is takeout generally unhealthy, but it’s also bad for the environment since it’s usually packed in paper and plastic. Single-use containers often end up in landfills for a very long time, as not many companies have switched to biodegradable packaging.
Try limiting takeout to one or two nights a month as opposed to once a week. Or if you’re used to eating out multiple times a week, limit that to once a week. Avoiding the extra waste will not only help the environment, but leave you feeling lighter and happier.