Making active lifestyle changes in favor of the environment is the need of the hour. The good thing about living green is that even the smallest changes made consistently will yield benefits not only to you and your family, but also your surroundings. What are some of the ways you can lead an environmentally mindful lifestyle? Let’s take a look.
Personally ensure your things are being recycled
Did you know that only 9% of waste is actually ever recycled? One mistake most of us make is not paying attention to what exactly goes into our recycle bin. For instance, it’s a common misconception that takeaway coffee cups, paper containers and Styrofoam are recyclable but they’re not. Similarly, napkins and paper towels are considered too contaminated to recycle. Also, when you’re dropping off bottles in the recycle bin, make sure they are clean and do not carry residue of the products.
Make your own compost pile
You don’t need to be living on a sprawling property to have space for a compost pit. There are specially designed compost bins available today that are quite compact and nifty, even for apartments where space is an issue. Instead of throwing out your leftovers, waste and veggie scraps, turn it into fertile food for the soil using a simple domestic composting system. Not only is it cost-effective, but also an excellent way to manage your organic waste! You can also team up with your neighbors to start a communal compost pile.
Limit your time in the shower
It’s truly mind-boggling how much water we waste per minute by letting it run free in the shower. Turn off the shower when you’re not using it. And make sure you’re not spending too long in there.
Fix leaky taps
Even if you have one leaking faucet, you could be wasting 5 gallons of water per day or 2082 gallons of water per year! Now just think about how much water is just being wasted if you have more than one leaky faucet in your home. Exercise proactivity when it comes to plumbing issues in your home. Don’t let a leaky tap go on for long, it could also lead to a whole other bunch of issues!
Shop local and seasonal groceries
One of the easiest ways to take the strain off Mother Nature and her resources is to consume foods that are seasonal and locally grown. Not only is it economical but also a healthier choice!
Carry your own bags and cups
Doing a coffee run? Carry your own reusable coffee mug. Grocery shopping? Never step out of your home without your own cloth bags. You can even take this a step ahead and shop from places that sell unpackaged items that you can pack in your own containers!
Plan and prepare your meals at home
This will keep you away from single-use plastic, as well as help you monitor your nutrition and health. Cooking your own meals means you control exactly what goes into your food and you can also manage the portions better. As far as storing food is concerned, opt for reusable stainless-steel containers that are great for carrying to work as well to store leftovers (The Pinwheelers’ stackable containers are actually made of eco-friendly raw materials too).
What steps are you taking towards a greener life? We’d love to hear from you!