Being eco-friendly means that you choose to have a lifestyle that is not harmful for the environment. You become much more aware of the current environmental situation and choose to protect our planet by changing your lifestyle with the aim to protect our earth from any further damage. By acknowledging there is a problem with your current lifestyle, and aiming to change it for the better – you are already taking small steps to make our planet a better place for the generations to come.
If you’re just starting out, you might feel a little overwhelmed and confused about what you can do to contribute to the greener environment. But do not worry! We are here to help you. There are many ways that you can make sustainable changes, here are a couple ideas to get you started.
Say No To Plastic
This is the most basic and easiest way to start an eco-friendly lifestyle. Avoid using plastic in any way. From disposable utensils, cheap plasticware, every other non-durable consumer goods. Plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose. It poses ecological problems and threat to wildlife.
The sea is polluted with tons of plastic every year. Marine mammals whose natural habitat in the sea get affected greatly. They die after mistaking the plastic which is laced with chemicals for food. Some die of suffocation after getting entangled with the trash. Significant efforts must be done to prevent this from happening. And the easiest way to do it, is by saying no to plastic.
At first you might think that it will be hard to avoid using plastic, especially as plastic is involved in almost every single aspect of our life. But once you start it won’t be as hard you might think.
These are some things that you can do to reduce daily use of plastic:
1. Bring your own bag when you go shopping so you don’t have to use wasteful generic plastic to carry your goods.
2. Get your personalized water bottles and take it anywhere you go. It is more eco-friendly because you don’t have to dispose of it every time after usage.
3. Change your toothbrush with a product that uses plant-based materials.
4. Do not use plastic straw. Buy the reusable one and bring it whenever you go.
Use Less Paper
Do not use paper if you can help it. As the current world we live in is more reliant on digital technology anyway, we don’t have to waste paper for something unimportant. Paper was made from a tree. The more we waste paper, the more trees get cut down to fulfill public demand.
Purchase The Right Light Bulb
Nowadays it is easier to find products which are more eco-friendly than the others. We recommend you to start by replacing your old light bulb with compact fluorescent light (CFL). This type of light could last longer and It uses 75% less energy than the regular bulb!
Cut Down Energy Usage at Home
Cutting down energy at home will lead to a smaller electricity bill. A win-win solution for you and the planet. You can cut down the energy by turning off light when you don’t use it. Unplug appliances after usage, and you can also buy energy-efficient home appliances for your house. Be mindful, because energy conservation is vital to reduce carbon footprint!
Recycle
Recycling your product is more environmentally friendly than simply throwing everything after you don’t need it anymore. Although throwing everything seems easier, but well it will be very dangerous for the environment. Almost everything can be recycled now! You can find many DIY videos online which can help to give ideas on what you should do to recycle your things.
Mindful of What You Eat
Being mindful of what you digest will also help to promote a more healthy environment. Cutting back on your meat consumption will have a great impact for the environment. According to a study by the United Nations, the livestock sector produces a much larger share of harmful greenhouse gasses. It generates 65% human related nitrous oxide. You can help to reduce the harmful gasses by replacing your meat consumption with other food, preferably vegetables.
You also need to be mindful when purchasing food. Don’t overbuy it. Food waste is not just a waste of money, but also adds to the amount of CO2 in the landfills.
Use Eco Friendly Cleaner Product
Without realizing it, there are many cleaning products that use harmful chemicals. It not only can affect our health but also isn’t environmentally friendly. The toxic chemicals inside the cleaning products are washed into streams and will cause water pollution and damage biodiversity.
There are many options of green cleaner products that you could buy nowadays, but you can also make your own cleaners with vinegar, lemon juice, and bicarbonate of soda. This DIY is sustainaible and also a much cheaper alternative that could help you to lead a more healthy life.
Drive Less, Walk More
Avoid using your own car on a daily basis. You can make your journey by foot, public transport, or by bike. Driving is not eco-friendly and definitely will add to your carbon footprint.
Being environmentally conscious is important, and everyone can help to make a difference. Eco-living has a lot of benefits., From saving money, contributing to a healthier lifestyle, and most importantly it also will contribute in helping the world. Let’s start to live an eco-friendly lifestyle today!
