Becoming more environmentally conscious is not as hard as you think. Small changes in your behaviour every single day can make an enormous impact on the planet. If you are looking for more ways to be green and clean up our planet, follow this list of simple changes. They won’t add to an already busy schedule, are inexpensive and cost effective, and may help to change your behaviours as well as other people around you.
Unplug Your Electronics
The cost of powering an apartment or home is not cheap. Depending on the economy and state of the oil industry, the cost of electricity and energy can spike and is currently at an all time high. To decrease your bills and become environmentally friendly, unplug all electronics when they are not in use. But only turning electrical items off is not enough. Because the item is still attached to an electrical outlet, it is still using energy. In this case, a surge protector is the best solution. Attach your electronics to a surge protector and when you leave the house, switch the surge protector off. Your electricity bill will thank you.
Buy a Reusable Water Bottle
Getting more water into your daily diet is important for survival and health. Drinking out of plastic water bottles, however, can be detrimental for your health and environment. Research shows that over time, the plastic and chemicals from the bottle can gradually leach into the water inside of the bottle. This is not very appetising and is counterproductive to taking care of your health.
While many people do their part to recycle plastic water bottles, the production and recycling processes consume a large amount of energy. According to the Pacific Institute in California, it takes nearly 2,000 times as much energy to produce bottled water as it does to produce tap water. Instead of buying plastic, invest in a reusable glass, stainless steel, or a BPA- free water bottle. These are available online, sports stores and groceries. You’ll not only save money, but also support green companies, and get the appropriate amount of water you need everyday.
Bring Your Own Bags to the Market
The next time you are asked, “paper or plastic?” say, “neither!” and present your own bag at the checkout. Like refillable water bottles, reusable grocery bags are great for the environment and for the economy too. Many grocery stores have reward programs for patrons that bring their own bags. In addition to being environmentally conscious, it saves the grocers the cost of buying more bags. Perhaps they’ll pass their savings onto the customer, allowing you to save even more money at the store.
Often, when purchasing vegetables and fruits, many of us place each type of produce in a plastic bag provided by the store. This protects our produce from raw meat and other items in our cart. When you get home, you are often left with tons of plastic bags, which you end up throwing away or, hopefully, recycling. Next time, try bringing your own washable, reusable plastic bag just like the washable produce bag.
Separate Recyclable Materials
There is no doubt that recycling is good for the environment, but recycling production takes time and energy. Not taking recyclables out of the trash risks some items being sent to landfills. Separate glass, plastic, and paper in your home or office. To make this easy, label three separate containers and remind everyone to remove any food or liquid that might be left over.
Transportation
Depending on your location, utilising public transportation is a great option. Taking the bus or metro train drastically cuts your carbon footprint. Riding a bike is another alternative. It is a great method of exercising and allows you to embrace your surroundings. Becoming a biker will change the way you view your home city or town. Lastly, if the only viable option for commuting is a car, why not try carpooling? It is a great way to save money and the environment. All carpool participants can contribute to the cost of gas as well as wear and tear on the vehicle.
If everyone took small steps to reduce their carbon footprint and became slightly more environmentally conscious, it would significantly impact the health and future of our planet. When we invest in green companies, products, and ideas, we protect the Earth that we pass on to the future.
