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Everyone can do their part to make the world a cleaner place — you don’t have to volunteer with Greenpeace on weekends to make a difference. It starts small, and it starts in your community.
In light of radical temperatures and natural disasters, there’s no better time than now to commit yourself to an eco-friendly lifestyle. Future generations will live with the choices you make today, so take the following advice to heart.
Here are seven smart suggestions on how to do your part for the environment.
1. Invest in a Reusable Water Bottle
Transitioning to a reusable water bottle does more than saving the planet — it also saves you money! With the simple purchase of a reusable bottle, the cash you’ll conserve on pallets of Aquafina will be well-spent elsewhere.
The startling fact that Americans use 50 billion bottles of water every year — bottles that often end up in landfills — should be enough to make you reconsider.
2. Recycle, Recycle, Recycle
It may seem obvious, but 65 percent of Americans don’t recycle. Why? There are plenty of reasons ranging from, “It’s not accessible or convenient,” to something as simple as, “I forget.”
The truth of the matter is, if more people recycled, we’d have access to a greater number of resources while simultaneously helping to clean the planet of non-biodegradable waste.
3. Economize Your Water Use
You have options with how you choose to conserve. An easy method you can practice every day is to take shorter showers. Soap yourself, wash your hair and when you’ve finished, get out! There’s no reason to linger.
Additionally, easy installation of a low-flow showerhead can cut down on your monthly water and energy bill, making this a win-win solution.
4. Use Sustainable Building Materials
If you find yourself in a situation where you’re building a house, remember that there are plenty of eco-friendly alternatives to conventional materials.
Sustainability is the name of the game, and an investment in green building materials ensures both quality and durability for your project. LEED performance should be a top priority!
5. Recycle Your Electronics
When you’re disposing of electronics like radios, television sets, laptops and cell phones, it’s crucial that you don’t throw them out in the trash! Electronic equipment requires a special protocol. But why?
E-waste contains harmful toxins like mercury and is a growing problem for environmental cleanliness. When your device is at the end of its life, either donate or recycle it to keep your area free of chemicals.
6. Use Alternative Transportation
Consider biking or walking to work instead of driving if your office is nearby. For those with a shorter commute, transitioning from a car to a bike is a smart way to save money while reducing your CO2 emissions. It even has the added bonus of improving your health!
Not only will you be cutting down on your output of pollution, but you’ll also enjoy the benefits of a cardio routine. Breathing fresh air with a healthy pair of lungs is its own reward.
7. Begin a Compost Pile
You might be surprised at how much food you end up throwing away at the end of a day. Put that waste to good use by starting a compost pile in your backyard. All the trash that you place in the pile is trash that won’t take up space in a landfill.
Additionally, you can use the compost you accumulate to fertilize a garden.
Start Today!
You have a responsibility to reduce your carbon footprint, so take what you’ve learned here and put it to good use. The continued health of our planet depends on it.
Share this advice with your friends and family, too. If you have children, impart these suggestions to them. It’s only by working together that we can keep this Earth a beautiful place to live.
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Feature photo provided by the author.