If you’ve decided to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle, it’s probably because you’ve noticed that
reasons for living eco-friendly and “going green” are all around you.
With all the information, tips and guidelines, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed.
Yet, it is critical to understand the big picture when it comes to setting realistic goals.
You can certainly spend a lot of money going green, but that’s not the point of this article.
We want to give you easy tips that you can quickly incorporate into your current lifestyle.
Globalization is making the world smaller.
You can instantly see how our lives affect the lives of those around us–both in our immediate
vicinity and abroad.
Pesticides used in China can affect the health of people in the U.S., greenhouse
gas emissions from Argentina can affect the diminishing rainforest in Brazil and so on.
Everything we do, every day has an impact on the planet.
This is why you should make choices which help to preserve, rather than harm our planet.
Plus, living an eco-friendly lifestyle can improve your overall quality of life.
Ready to get started?
Read on to learn more about living eco-friendly:
“Here are easy tips for
living eco-friendly
that you can quickly
incorporate into your
current lifestyle.”
Use Natural and Homemade Household Cleaners
When you switch to green cleaners, you help to reduce air pollution both inside and outside
your home.
In addition, it helps to decrease exposure to allergy and asthma triggers–this is on top of
limiting exposure to chemicals that are harmful to your health.
Instead, look for plant-based products from companies which have a full list of ingredients
on their labels.
You can also use inexpensive, natural products such as vinegar and baking soda.
As a result, you become a healthier person just by breathing healthy air.
Have you ever fantasized about going back in time and living somewhere deep in the forest
surrounded by grand trees and friendly wildlife–you know, before all of the concrete jungles
we have created today?
Well, I think most of us have had that fantasy in one form of another.
It harkens back to simpler times and a bigger reliance on nature to supply our needs directly
as opposed through manufacturers, commercial farms and more.
Part of that fantasy is breathing in clean, crisp air–which, is what everyone wants.
No one will argue on behalf of breathing toxic air.
So, with green household products–you give you, your family and your pets better indoor
air quality.
Purchase Organic Products
You can and should enjoy fresher, tastier foods which can improve your personal health.
In fact, organic milk has 68 percent more beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids than conventional milk.
Try to take it one step further through buying local which, supports your local economy and
reduces greenhouse gas emissions used in getting food from its original location to your plate.
Also, when you buy fresh food you help to reduce packaging and energy used for processing.
If you spend your money on organic produce, you help contribute to the organic agriculture
industry.
The good news is you can find organic produce in almost every grocery story.
It would be surprising if you couldn’t.
You could even start promoting meatless Mondays in your home.
Having one meat-free meal per week (for a family of four) can have the same impact as
driving a hybrid car.
The reason is raising livestock requires a large amount of greenhouse gases.
Cutting back helps to decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
Grow Your Own Herbs and Vegetables
This really isn’t as difficult as you might think.
You can even start out with a few container vegetables to get the hang of it.
You can’t beat enjoying the fruits of your labor.
If you do start a fruit and vegetable garden in your backyard, you’ll have to prepare the soil,
irrigate and fertilize the crops, as well as deal with pests.
It’s a great way to get some exercise and fresh air, while doing something productive.
Many of us hate walking on a treadmill or elliptical because we want to do more than that.
Well, gardening is a good way to become more productive while boosting your health.
Plus, it can help save on grocery bills as well as trips to the grocery.
Save Food When Eating Out
Bring your own paper or glass containers to take out food you have not finished at
restaurants.
You don’t want to use styrofoam boxes since they are difficult to recycle.
If you don’t plan on eating a side dish, which comes with your meal–let your server
know ahead of time so they can save it.
Food is not limitless.
As a result, you want to waste as little of it as possible.
Re-use Your Take-out Coffee Cup
Once you’re done drinking your foamy, chocolate latte, save the empty paper cup for the next
time you need some caffeine.
Billions of paper and plastic cups are used every year, with under one percent being recycled.
On top of that, invest in a reusable coffee cup with is BPA free and made from recycled materials.
No one is asking you to give up your favorite cup of Joe; just enjoy it in a more sustainable manner.
You’ll feel good about doing so.
Change Your Beauty Routine
Unless you’re a makeup artist, you don’t really need five bottles of foundation, 10 makeup
palettes and 20 lipsticks.
C’mon, do you really have that many events to doll yourself up for?
The average consumer has around 40 items of makeup, but only uses around five daily.
I’m pretty sure you can relate, and this does not include skin, body or hair products.
Even if the packaging of most beauty products can be recycled, most people don’t take the
time to do so.
You don’t have to get every make up product your favorite YouTube star uses.
Remember, they often get paid to try stuff out.
On the other hand, you are wasting money on items that will just take up more space in
your bathroom.
You can try a multiple-use product for lips and cheeks.
Concealer can work to cover up dark circles, blemishes and as a highlighter.
You can even use eyeshadow as a highlighter.
It shouldn’t be too difficult to re-think your beauty routine.
“Everything we do,
every day has an
impact on the planet.”
Cut Down on Fuel Use
There are many ways to burn less fuel from walking, biking and taking the bus the
carpooling or purchasing either a hybrid or electric vehicle.
When running errands in nearby locations, you can walk or bike.
You should also unload excess weight from your vehicle as heavier cars burn gas
more quickly.
Moreover, keeping your tires fully inflated can help improve your gas mileage up
to 3.3 percent.
As you can see, living eco-friendly is really quite easy.
You’ll become healthier, and you’ll feel confident knowing you are helping to
preserve our planet.
About the Author
GoGreen is an online guide for sustainable living and global green news provider. It reports on environmental topics that inspire readers to take action. The mission is to shine light on the biggest issues in sustainability, from eco-friendly technology to animal welfare and applaud companies taking steps towards greener practices, support legislation that will reduce our carbon footprint, and discoveries in green energy.
What are you doing to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle?
Share your thoughts and comments with us.
Great tips! I’ve started to get in the habit of taking my own container to bring home leftovers at restaurants, as you suggested. I haven’t remembered every time, but sometimes at least.
Carrie
HI Deborah,
Great tips! I buy organic and/or local fruit almost all the time, I never used any chemical cleaners – do my own DIY cleaners or use vinegar, peroxide, or baking soda and some essential oils. I don’t use make-up except lipstick anymore. or very rarely and I have about 2 colors of lipstick that fits whatever I wear and lip gloss. I do grow a few herbs. Taking care of our planet is something we should be all doing every day and while we do that we are also taking care of our health. Sharing on Pinterest and Twitter.
Can’t argue with these! Things we all would do well to do. I hadn’t thought of taking my own container when I go out to eat, so thanks for the idea.