According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), humans generate about five pounds of municipal solid waste per person per day and only about 32 percent of our waste is recycled or composted. Alarming, right? While it’s impossible for us to individually save the planet — for that, change in policy and tighter regulations are required — it certainly doesn’t hurt to do what we can to help eliminate waste on a micro level. Something as simple as replacing your synthetic sponge with a dish brush could contribute to a happier, healthier planet!
Here are a few simple things you can do to lessen your carbon footprint at home and away.
1. Use shampoo bars. Pitch your bulky, wasteful shampoo bottles and go eco-friendly with a plastic-free shampoo bar. These low-waste essentials pack hydrating, cleansing ingredients into a nice little disc that takes up less space and requires zero plastic. Bonus: If you travel a lot, they’re TSA-friendly so you can toss ’em in your carry-on.
2. Use conditioner bars. Complete the combo and grab a conditioner bar for a total shower upgrade. These handy little staples condition the scalp and strands just as well as any bottled product.
4. Switch to green cleaning products. You probably already know there are a ton of harsh chemicals lurking in standard household cleaners. Do your best to swap them out for more gentle, eco-friendly options that contain no bleach, ammonia or other potentially harmful ingredients so they don’t wind up in our air, soil or water.
5. Use concentrated cleaning products. You might also consider switching to concentrated cleaners that require less packaging. These products dilute with water so they require a whole lot less for the same result.
6. Use all LED light bulbs. Did you know that LED light bulbs consume up to 70 percent less energy than their incandescent counterparts? On top of that, they’re sturdier, longer lasting and can even save you a ton of money on your energy bills. Go through your house and swap all your old energy hogs with LEDs ASAP.
7. Invest in a low-flow showerhead. Let’s not forget about water waste! We all want to do what we can to preserve the Earth’s natural resources, and one easy way to do that is to install a low-flow showerhead that uses less H2O.
8. Switch to wooden implements. Many of our essential household tools are made of plastic when they could be made of more eco-friendly wood, such as your dish scrubber, toothbrush, hairbrush and broom.
9. Invest in window coverings. Window coverings don’t just make a room feel cozier and more inviting, they can also help you regulate temperature so you don’t put too much burden on your heating and cooling. In the cooler months, you can leave your coverings open to let in natural light and warmth. In the summer, it helps to use light-blocking curtains or blinds to keep things cool.
10. Use reusable grocery bags. This is easily one of the simplest ways to lower your carbon footprint, and — now that plastic bags are banned in many cities and states — it may be required. Invest in a few high-quality reusable grocery bags and keep them with you in your car, purse or backpack so you always have one on hand.
11. Have your clothes and shoes repaired. In our throwaway society, it’s almost a novelty to have clothes and shoes repaired, but you’ll be surprised to find that there are still thriving seamstresses, tailors and cobblers ready to help! Buy sturdy shoes and apparel to begin with (buying secondhand is a great option if you’re on a budget), like items made with materials that are made to be fixed.
12. Have appliances repaired. It’s the same idea here. We’ve become so used to simply replacing rather than repairing, and that is having a massive negative impact on our environment. So much so that it has spurred a movement called Right to Repair, which advocates for regulation that provides consumers with the ability to repair and modify their own electronics. Make sure you invest in appliances and other gadgets that can be repaired rather than replaced.
13. Carpool, bike or use public transportation. If possible, try to reduce the number of needless car trips you make. A simple way to do this is by ride-sharing, cycling or using public transportation more often.
14. Eat local, organic food. Many of us choose to eat local foods because they’re often sourced from smaller family farms that don’t use harmful chemicals. But eating locally also greatly reduces the amount of energy required to ship and transport food, which means it’s one of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint on a small scale.
15. Buy secondhand clothes. The “fast fashion” industry — that is, the industry that produces cheap apparel for single-season wear — is a massive contributor to global waste. Once-trendy clothes that are now out of fashion are plugging up landfills all over the world. Instead, buy high-quality, seasonless secondhand apparel from thrift and vintage stores.
As individuals, we can’t save the world all by ourselves. But if everyone made a commitment to making just a few small changes at home, it would make one huge impact! These easy changes will help us get there little by little.
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