Reducing your carbon footprint doesn’t have to be expensive or inconvenient. With Earth Day on April 22nd let’s challenge ourselves to make meaningful changes to benefit our family, our community and our world. It can be big or small. Minimizing or eliminating single-use plastics and food waste would make the biggest environmental impact as they are the largest chunks taking up space in our landfills.
Instead of having our kids color a picture of a globe let’s actually get to the meaning of Earth Day and make an impact. Here are ways we can do these two things.
1. Sign up for e-bills, e-subscriptions, cancel junk mail and get receipts via email.
2. Use recyclable gift wrap or other alternatives.
3. Ditch paper towels: air dry your hands and use rags for cleaning. Go even further–clean with eco friendly cleaning products. Want a cheaper option? Make your own DIY cleaning products.
4. Any paper you do use, RECYCLE.
5. Take a reusable drink container and straws for beverages on-the-go.
6. Ditch plastic wrap for a quality set of food storage containers.
7. Instead of single use plastic products that cannot be recycled try compostable paper plates and silverware.
8. Even your period can go green now! Use a menstrual cup.
9. Replace fabric softeners for dryer balls.
10. Try bamboo toothbrushes.
11. Meal plan, eliminate food waste, and COMPOST what you can’t.
13. Commit to cut your spending “use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.” “Reduce, reuse or recycle.”
14. Can you borrow it, buy it used or forgo it altogether?
You don’t have to live like Ma Ingalls or be an all-out homesteader in order to reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier world. There are so many ways to go green in the city, and we can all celebrate Earth Day through small, manageable steps. See here for more tips!
What ideas do you have? Share your favorite eco-friendly products below!
