If you’re looking to become a little more environmentally friendly, one of the easiest ways to start is by making small changes in your own home! Every little bit counts, and many of the tips we’ve suggested won’t take any extra effort.
Swap disposable plastic bags for reusable silicone ones. If you use lots of plastic bags in your house, swapping them for reusable silicone ones is an easy way to reduce waste. Many reusable silicone bags are dishwasher, freezer, and microwave safe, making them even more convenient.
“Your garden is a great place to start being more eco-friendly. Start by adding more plants native to your area.”
1. Start composting.
You can start a compost pile in your backyard, or if you don’t have space, you can look into making your own compost bucket! If you are worried about managing the compost on your own, you can find a local company that will do a curbside pickup of compost. You can collect your scraps and then have them picked up weekly. If you are worried about the compost being a little smelly, you can also collect the scraps and store them in the freezer until pick up day! However, if you get a compost bin with a lid in the filter, it’s rarely an issue!
2. Use natural ingredients.
Another great way to be a little more environmentally friendly is in your garden. Instead of using pesticides on your plants, look for products with natural ingredients. These will help keep your garden looking lush and will also help keep resident pollinators happy.
3. Washing your clothes in cold water.
Try washing your clothes in cold water and start air-drying items when possible. Hot water and the dryer both use lots of energy, and they can also shorten the lifespan of your clothes. Of course, there are times when you need to wash with hot water, so another green tip is to wait until you have a full load of items to wash before doing a load with hot water!
4. Invest in a water filter.
If you’re a fan of filtered water and find yourself buying lots of bottled water, invest in a water filter for your sink or a pitcher for your fridge! These swaps will help you use less single-use plastic bottles and will also help you save money.
“Start biking to some of your errands! It’s a great way to cut back on car use and get some exercise at the same time.”
5. Buy second hand.
Try buying items second hand. Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Craigslist all are great places to search for deals on lightly-used items, as are local thrift stores and second-hand shops. While it may not be brand new, the items will still be new to you!
6. Go meatless.
Start a Meatless Monday! Eliminating meat from your diet once a week is a good way to be a little kinder to the environment. Going meatless for a few meals will also encourage you to try new recipes, which is always fun!
7. Buy from a farmers market.
If you’re looking to incorporate more locally grown fruits and vegetables, you can start going to a farmers market. Buying locally grown produce is also a great way to help farmers in your area, and eating what’s in season is always helpful for the environment.
8. Change bulbs to LEDs.
Consider swapping your light bulbs for more energy-efficient bulbs, like LEDs. They can be a little more expensive up front, but since LEDs often last longer than regular light bulbs and use less energy, they will actually save you money.
