Creating a more eco-friendly life is easier than you may think. It doesn’t require a complete lifestyle overhaul; instead, it’s about making small changes that can lead to big results. Eco-friendly habits don’t need to be challenging or time-consuming. They are simple things that we can do every day, no matter how busy we are. Many actions have a double impact because they have positive effects on our health and the environment at the same time. Making eco-friendly lifestyle changes will not only make you feel better about yourself and your impact on the world around you but also make your wallet happier as well! Here are 7 ways to become more eco-friendly with small tweaks in your everyday life that add up to a big difference over time:
Walk or run instead of driving.
If you’re going just a few miles, it’s usually better for your health and the environment if you walk or run instead of driving. You’ll save on gas and reduce your carbon footprint. And if you’re running, you can take advantage of your daily exercise and make your carless lifestyle even more eco-friendly! Racking up miles on the pavement will also help strengthen your bones and muscles and can even help prevent certain types of cancers. If you’re worried about safety, though, you can always use a car-share program or public transportation, and you can always run with a partner if you’re worried about your safety. And many cities have walkability programs to make your walking environment even safer.
Eat foods that are locally grown and in season.
If you look at the back of a bag of salad mix, you will see that it travels hundreds of miles to get onto your plate. That’s a lot of fuel and transportation to get something that could be produced in your neighborhood. Eating foods that are in-season and locally-grown means they don’t have to be shipped as far, so they use less fuel to get to you. Eating in-season also means they are more nutritious because they don’t have to be treated with pesticides the same way that imported produce does. So your health and the environment both benefit when you eat seasonally. To make it easier, you can check online for what is in season in your part of the world. A few websites you can use are our Harvest Eating, Edible Plant Calendars, and Eat Seasonal.
Install a programmable thermostat to save energy.
We’re all tempted to turn the thermostat up in the winter and down in the summer, but that’s not only bad for your wallet, it’s bad for the environment. Instead, install a programmable thermostat that will turn the heat or air conditioning on before you get home and off when you leave the house. You’ll save a lot of money on your bills and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time! You may also want to consider installing an energy-efficient water heater. Most water heaters are set to come on when the temperature in your house falls below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, but if you install an energy-efficient water heater, it will come on closer to the temperature of the water entering the tank.
Ditch the dryer and hang your clothes to dry.
Drying your clothes on a clothesline is one of the simplest and most cost-effective eco-friendly changes you can make. It doesn’t cost any more money to run an outdoor line than it does an indoor dryer, and you’ll save on your energy bill and reduce your carbon footprint in the process. Plus, there are health benefits to hanging your clothes to dry. You avoid the chemicals that get trapped in the fabrics of clothes that are dried in a dryer. Drying your clothes on a clothesline also has a positive effect on your mental health. It can reduce stress and make you feel more relaxed because it’s something you can do outside in the fresh air. You don’t have to hang your clothes outside in the winter, though. You can use a clothesline indoors, but you’ll want to make sure you keep it clear of dust and other contaminants. You can keep it clean and prevent bugs and insects from getting caught in your laundry by putting up a mesh screen on your clothesline.
Conserve water by installing more efficient showerheads.
Your shower uses about as much water as your toilet, which is why you should reduce your water usage there as well. An easy way to save water and reduce your carbon footprint is to change out your old showerhead for an energy-efficient one. You can also reduce water usage by turning the water off while you are lathering up and letting the water drain while you are shampooing. Changing your showerhead and reducing your water usage can reduce your water bill and also help save water in your community, especially in places that are experiencing droughts. In addition to saving water and money, more efficient showerheads can also help reduce the formation of mold and mildew in your bathroom.
Organically fertilize your lawn with eco-friendly products.
Many eco-friendly changes are easy, like putting down a layer of mulch to help retain water and adding a compost pile to your yard to add nutrients. But one of the biggest changes you make to be more eco-friendly is switching to organically fertilizing your lawn instead of using synthetic fertilizers. Synthetic fertilizers have harmful chemicals that can leach into the groundwater and are bad for the environment and your health. Organically fertilizing your lawn with compost, blood meal, and other natural products not only helps your lawn grow but also makes your lawn healthier for you and your pets. You can also consider planting native plants in your yard so you don’t have to fertilize as much. Be sure to choose native plants that require less water and fertilizer.
Install solar panels to help power your home and car.
Solar panels are a great way to be more eco-friendly, but they can be pricey to install. If you don’t want to put the money into it all at once, try installing solar panels on your roof in installments over time. That way, you can build up your eco-friendly lifestyle change while also saving money in the long run. Solar panels can help power your home and car, but as a driver, you can also make your car more eco-friendly by choosing an electric or hybrid car. The fuel for hybrid or electric cars is much cleaner than gasoline and helps reduce your carbon footprint.
Conclusion
You don’t have to make drastic changes to your lifestyle in order to be more eco-friendly. It’s about making small changes that help the environment and your health. Even little lifestyle tweaks can have a big impact over time when it comes to caring for the planet. Be sure to make eco-friendly changes and not only will you feel better about yourself, but you’ll also be contributing to the health of the planet. Everyone wins!