5 Tips to Being More Eco-Friendly
Are you hoping to be more Eco-Friendly this year? Maybe you’ve been interested in the past but so far haven’t been able to incorporate environmentally friendly practices into your life. Luckily, living a greener lifestyle doesn’t require much. Just a few small changes to your day-to-day routine can make a big difference. Here are our tips for being more eco-friendly to help you get started.
Invest in reusable products
These days many things are created to be single-use. Every time you go to the store or get takeout at a restaurant, you’re left with a lot of containers and bags that you can’t recycle, leaving you with a ton of trash also. One of the best methods to reduce your carbon footprint is to lower the amount of waste that you produce. The easiest way to do this is by investing in reusable products. We use the word ‘investing’ because typically, these products cost a little more upfront but pay for themselves in the long run. Buying items like reusable hand-soap dispensers or a custom water bottle keeps you from having to buy these items over and over again at the store, which results in much less for you to throw away. Plus, they tend to be more stylish than single-use products, so they can fit in with your lifestyle and decor!
Don’t be afraid to buy second-hand
While a lot of women are averse to buying used goods, thrifting and upcycling are trendy in a big way right now. And for a good reason! Long gone are the days when second-hand meant shabby. More and more, people are selling high-quality used items and clothing online or through social media. Buying clothes or home goods from consignment shops keeps them from going to a landfill, which helps reduce waste overall. And, because the items tend to be cheaper, you don’t have to be afraid to try new looks, which can really up your fashion game!
Just a reminder: This works both ways. If you have quality items that aren’t getting much use, you can sell, gift, or donate too.
Learn to sew (at least a little)
This tip may seem a bit old-fashioned, but don’t worry. We’re not recommending that you make all of your own clothes (although if you can, awesome!). However, learning to sew a small amount can help you repair and maintain clothing for yourself and your family. This saves you money by keeping your clothes wearable for longer, and it is another great way to reduce the amount you throw away.
Get creative with repurposing
Another great way to be more eco-friendly is to find ways to repurpose items that would otherwise go in the trash. From using old t-shirts as cleaning rags to making bathroom organizers from leftover candle jars, any time you give an item a longer life, you’re helping the environment. Have little ones at home? Enjoy some quality family time creating crafts from leftover cardboard or scraps of paper.
Bonus: This presents a perfect opportunity to teach your kids about recycling.
Choose green travel
It’s no secret that our reliance on cars contributes to our environmental problems in a big way. In order to combat this, try to incorporate walking or biking into your schedule more as a form of transport. You don’t need to radically change your lifestyle. It’s ok to start small. Walking to happy hour with friends or riding bikes to the park with your kids is a great way to start using your car less. Plus, walking and biking are great exercises, which will help keep you happy and stress -ree.
Being more eco-friendly doesn’t have to be difficult. Hopefully, these tips will help you start living the green lifestyle you’ve been looking for!
