Within my journey on Earth I have come to love it, and I want it to still be around for my future endeavors. I've made the conscious decision to start going more green. If you've come to this blog today, I can only assume you want to too! Some of what I do everyday consists of; recycling, conscious of not wasting water, turning off electricity when not needed, thrifting everything I own, donating items I no longer use in my home, and carrying tote bags everywhere I go. I feel as if everyone can do more with their part in making our planet last! If we all can pitch in a little bit every single day, it will add up and we can all make a difference today. Here is a list of great, easy ways to start!
One great and obvious one is replacing plastic. Working within your everyday life, I promise you, you've never realized how much plastic is around you. Recycled plastic is really starting to make its way up. Which is amazing because you're not adding any new plastic you're just utilizing what we already can't get rid of. Or if you can make the switch use wood or metal.
I am unfortunately a big culprit of paper towels. Its like I can never have enough towels around to clean up everything and dry my hands. So that is what I recommend the most, always have towels on hand, clean, and ready so you don't feel the need to reach for that paper towel. I have just recently bought reusable paper towels, which are supposed to replace up to 30 rolls of paper towels, hoping it really works out! Another big one in the kitchens are sponges. My family has locally bought a “scrubbie” which is handmade and you just pop it in the washing machine and it's good as new to clean your dishes. Buying plastic cups and utensils are such a big waste today. Non-durable consumer goods make up about 20% of waste streams in America. Some great ways to to start is use cloth napkins and washable dishes when you have parties, rechargeable batteries, and reusable razors.
One thing I am proud of, I've managed to carry my water bottle with me everywhere I go. I never get a cup unless it is absolutely necessary and I almost never use plastic water bottles. This is an easy change anyone can do. You need water to survive and I've noticed when my water is within arms reach it is much easier to drink it and stay hydrated than if I had to get up to get some. It's the convenience of a plastic water bottle that makes it, unfortunately, so popular. It would be great to get into this habit for you and for the planet! If the water at your house is not good, invest in a good water filter. This is a one time buy compared to multiple bottles of water, you are saving. In 2017 Americans consumed 13.7 billion gallons of bottled water. That's a lot! Another way to look at this is carrying a tote bag with you so you don't need to use plastic bags in stores.
Up-cycling is a great way to utilize things that still have a life, it's another way to look at thrifting. I'm starting to learn how to sew (just a little), but on top of it being great for the environment, this could be a fun and time consuming hobby to learn! If you are a crafty person or looking for a new hobby, definitely try this one out! Great examples are turning sheets into something you can wear, making a chandelier from bicycle parts, creating a pool table from a classic car, or turning mason jars into cute lanterns you put on your deck. Regardless of what you want to get into, it's worth putting in the time. Making something from your hands is just a great feeling! Up-cycling isn't going to remove a large percentage of waste, but it will stop the purchase of new objects.
With paying attention to the lights and electronics you have on within the house. It would be a great idea to switch out your light bulbs and put in LED lights. LED lights use 75% less energy to provide the same amount of light and they last 25% longer! They also emit less heat which therefore makes it safer and more durable. Experts say LED lighting could save $30 billion in energy costs and reduce the use of electricity.
Go Local!! Growing your food or going to a local farmers market
requires 30-50% less energy to produce. Going local also saves transportation costs. Families in America on average throw out 25% of food and beverages. This is also a great way to utilize those food scraps! Those nasty bugs everyone hates thrive on those scraps, therefore, so does your garden! Composting is just such a great way to stop wasting your food scraps and everyone benefits from it. This creates a valuable fertilizer most manufacturers create. You don't need to have a lot of land or tech to be able to do this on your own. Just as long as you follow the simple rule of no meat, bones, or dairy products within the mix. This also saves energy and production costs put into transporting the thrown out food. If you find yourself throwing out loads of food it could be a good time to start meal planning and writing out grocery lists to try and save, instead of impulsively buying and throwing it all out.
I know this is not for everyone but a great one to mention is buying an eco friendly car. Vehicles produce about one-third of all U.S. air pollution. If you cannot make this change there are simple changes you can start to help out. Not using your car when you don't have to, every time you walk or bike the environment thanks you. Rather than taking multiple small trips, make all your errands in one trip, this will reduce your mileage and gas intake so everyone benefits!
This one was a fun one to talk about. I'm very passionate about doing my part in saving the Earth little by little. I think it would be such a great thing if everyone could just do one of these things. It all adds up so much faster than you think.
