Do you hear the media constantly talking about global warming and climate change but don't think that you as one person can make an impact? Earth day brings about conversations about sustainability, carbon footprints, and other factors that impact life on earth. Many people don't intend to do harm to our planet, but end up doing so just by living their normal lifestyles. Take a moment to reflect on your life and your everyday activities to determine if you live an eco friendly lifestyle.
Are you one of those who would love to make a difference but simply doesn’t know how to? Luckily there are a variety of simple lifestyle adjustments that can make an impact on the earth by only making small deviations from your current lifestyle. We have created a list of easy ways to live a more sustainable as a guide to help you on your eco-friendly journey.
1. Start composting
The average American disposes of 4.4 pounds of trash per day with 30% of that waste being food and yard scraps that could be composted.
By starting your own compost you are diverting that waste away from dumps making an impact on the environment. By lessening our landfill waste we can decrease the production of greenhouses gases such as methane that is a large contributor to global warming.
Create an at home compost to limit your waste simply and easily. Start by designating a bin to be strictly for compost. Whether it be big or small you can start by throwing away compostable materials such as coffee grounds, fruit rinds, and used napkins. These items that would normally end up in landfills will now be decomposed rather than end up as waste. For more information on how to create your DIY compost bin click here.
2. Refuse junk mail
We all get those extra paper ads in our mailbox that oftentimes gets thrown directly into the trash without a glance. Take a moment to think about the amount of junk mail you throw out per week or even per month
An estimated 100 billion pieces of junk mail are distributed in the U.S. each year with roughly every household receiving about 848 pieces per year. This excessive waste can be stopped with one quick action. You can opt out of receiving all that unnecessary mail by taking a few minutes to check the do not mail list. This will reduce your chances of receiving new junk mail from various companies. Worried about not getting all those coupons? Technology allows us to receive those same deals you see on flyers in an eco friendly way online.
3. Enroll in paperless billing
Many companies are still sending out everything by mail whether that be promotions, policy updates, or bills. It is a common occurrence for us to barely skim the mail before throwing it in the trash. Sometimes that paper bill may only serve you as a reminder to pay up soon. Try paying your bills the eco friendly way and enroll in paperless billing. Many companies offer their full array of services online allowing society as a whole to benefit from not only the convenience, but the elimination of waste.
4. Reduce household energy use
Limit your use of electricity by conserving energy in your home. Switch to energy efficient appliances reducing your energy usage. Keep your electricity bill low by ensuring appliances are turned off when you leave a room. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). Try opening up a window on a nice spring day to get that much needed breeze rather than running your AC. Not only will these easy changes help save energy, they will save you money in the long run.
5. Resell and donate items
Next time you decide to do your spring cleaning in your room, garage, or house think of what you can do with those unwanted items. Extend the life of your once treasured products, while reducing the landfill waste.
Try resale apps such as OfferUp, Craigslist, or Poshmark to find your item a new home. Not only are you helping reduce waste, you may even be helping someone who doesn’t have the means to buy that product at face value. If you don’t want to hassle with selling round up your products and bring them to a local non profit donation center such as Salvation Army or Goodwill. Help the earth while you are helping another in need.
Living an eco friendly lifestyle doesn’t have to be complicated. By making these small changes to your everyday lifestyle you can make a big difference for your environment and your planet for generations to come. Share this easy to do knowledge with your coworkers, peers, and even children to create a community of eco conscious individuals. Celebrate Earth Day and implement one of these changes today!
