Plastic bottles are usually the lightest and most convenient. Look for one that says it’s BPA free. You can also find aluminum and glass water bottles that are a great option if you don’t like using plastic.
You can use your reusable bags at most stores, including clothing or bookstores. Keep your bags in your car so that it’s less likely you’ll forget them.
For example, instead of throwing away a jar, you might use it as a glass, vase, or storage container. Similarly, you could use a piece of cardboard to make a wreath. You can find ideas for green crafts by searching online.
Invite your friends to connect with you in real life. For instance, instead of playing online video games together, go to a local park.
For example, let’s say you’re buying a notebook for school. If you’re choosing between a notebook that’s wrapped in plastic and one that isn’t, pick the unwrapped notebook.
To get stuff that’s new to you, organize a clothing, toy, or home items swap with your friends. For instance, you might host a neighborhood back-to-school clothing swap before you shop for school clothes.
Choose clothes that fit you well and look great on you. This way you’ll always be in style even if you aren’t following every trend. You might spend more money on new items when you buy better clothes. However, this typically saves you money in the long-run because the clothes will last longer.
Turn off lights when you leave a room. Take advantage of natural lighting from windows during the daytime. Unplug electronics when you aren’t using them. Wash your clothes on the cold setting so you don’t use energy to heat the water. Change your light bulbs to energy-efficient light bulbs, such as compact fluorescent light (CFL) or light-emitting diodes (LED). Set your thermostat a few degrees higher during summer and a few degrees lower in winter. Then, wear less clothing if you’re feeling hot or more clothing if you’re cold. This can save electricity and cut down on your heating or cooling costs.
Turn off the water when you’re brushing your teeth, washing your hands, or doing the dishes. Take short showers instead of baths. Use a bucket to catch water in the shower so you can use it in your garden. Run your dishwasher only when it’s full. Avoid using sprinklers in your yard. Plant drought-resistant and native plants in your garden so they require less water.
If the weather is nice, hang your clothes up outside. If the weather is poor, use an indoor drying rack to dry your clothes.
For instance, you can use white vinegar with a spritz of lemon as an all-purpose cleaner. If you like, add a few drops of essential oil to make it smell better. Similarly, you can scrub your bathroom and kitchen counters using a paste of baking soda and warm water. [8] X Research source
If you eat a lot of meat, try doing a meatless Monday. Then, slowly introduce more meatless meals into your life.
Most paper can be recycled, including printer paper, magazines, newspapers, and junk mail. You can recycle most cardboard, such as pizza boxes, egg cartons, milk cartons, and juice cartons. Flatten out cardboard boxes before you recycle them. Plastic bottles and containers like those that contain dishwashing liquid, bleach, soap, milk, and condiments are typically recyclable, but rinse them out first. Metal cans like soda cans, tuna cans, and soup cans can be recycled if you rinse them first. Glass bottles and jars can usually be recycled but check the policies for your local facility. Additionally, rinse them out first. When your electronics die, take them to a local recycling center.
You can buy a compost bin to you use in your home online. Often, it will contain dirt and worms to help you get your compost going. If you have a yard, consider creating a compost corner where you can throw out your scraps. This is an easy way to start composting.
When you do use paper, recycle it or save it to reuse the other side of it.
Try to use second-hand products or to share whenever possible. For example, don’t buy a new stapler if there’s a used one in the supply closet.
If your company doesn’t want to pay for recycling, you might start a recycling team to help take items to the local recycling center.
Offer to use video calling to stay in touch with coworkers and to go into the office when you need to go to a meeting in person.
If it’s unsafe for you to travel on foot or bike, don’t put your safety at risk.
It might take some time to learn your city’s public transportation system. Try riding it on your off days first. If your city doesn’t have public transportation, this may not be an option for you.
You can take turns driving everyone to work or school, or you can all contribute money to buy gas for the person who drives.
When you buy a car, ask how many miles it gets for each gallon of gas. Then, compare the mileage for the cars you’re considering to pick the one with the best mileage.
