Did you know that three-fourths of US citizens are concerned about the state of our environment but most don’t act on their concern? According to the Pew Research Center, only 1 in 5 Americans say they make an effort to live in an eco-conscious way.

If you are looking to align your concerns about the environment with your actions, we have got you covered. Here are a dozen ways you can reduce your consumer footprint and start toward a more conservationist lifestyle.

“If you are looking to align your

concerns about the environment

with your actions, we have

got you covered.”

1.Shop with a cloth bag.

Purchase a Cotton Tote Bag by BagzDepot and commit to keeping it in your handbag; a tote bag prevents using “paper or plastic” at grocery stores, convenience stores, and even some department stores. https://www.bagzdepot.com/collections/cotton-tote-bags

2.Rethink your washing.

How often do you load up your laundry machine? Twice a week? Daily? Whenever your hamper begins to overflow? Why not limit the number of times you use your laundry machine to once a week? Reducing the number of loads per week will conserve water, energy, and the amount of detergent flowing through the plumbing.

3.Choose energy-saving appliances.

Thinking about switching out regular light bulbs for LED bulbs? Or perhaps replacing energy guzzling machines for efficient ones matters? Good for you. The United States Environmental Protection Agency promotes the use of energy saving appliances. Why? Appliances that are rated in the ENERGY STAR program are recognized for their carbon pollution reduction.

4.Go old-school and do dish washing by hand.

Another way to conserve energy is through skipping the dishwasher and washing the dishes by hand. Of course, on days when you are short on time, skip this point. But washing dishes together with a kid in tow is a great way to learn about what’s on his or her mind. Kids open up more when their hands are busy.

5.Walk whenever possible.

Not only will you be reducing your carbon footprint by walking, but you will also be doing your health a favor.

6.Car pool when you can’t walk.

Need to be somewhere a little farther out than is easily walkable? Why not ask around and see if others are headed in the same direction. Car pooling is a great option for dropping kids off at school, heading to work, or to going on your weekly shopping trip to Costco.

7.Check your fridge and thermostat settings.

If your fridge settings are too high, you could be wasting your hard-earned money by making your fridge work harder than it needs too. Seasons affect fridge settings, too. In the winter, your fridge doesn’t need to be set so high. The same holds true for your room’s thermostat settings.

8.Wear a uniform.

Having an established clothing style is a unique way to cut down on your consumption of manufactured goods that consume the earth’s resources. While at the same time protecting your pocketbook from purchases that you’ll regret down the line.

9.Bring your own thermos to the coffee shop.

Think of all the paper cups you have held in your lifetime. Ever give a moment’s thought about the processes and energy consumption it took to recycle them and put them back to use? Put a thermos in your bag, and use that when hitting up Starbucks.

10.Start a garden.

Starting a garden and growing your own vegetables is a great way to cut down on your gas emissions. Just imagine no longer needing to hop into your car to go pick up tomatoes for dinner.

11.Plant vines or trees around your home.

You can lower the temperature within your home by growing vines along the outside of your house. Trees, too, are a great source of shade in the summer.

12.Look for second hand deals before buying something brand new.

Pollution due to manufacturing is a large reason global warming and climate change is today’s clear and present danger. Buying things second-hand helps, even if in only a small way, to curb what has become a consumer-based economy. Need an appliance replaced? First, see if it can be fixed. If not, place an ad or ask a friend if they have a replacement. Adjust your first reaction so that it is one of looking to other sources, over heading to the wholesale store.

What are your favorite ways to conserve and reduce your carbon footprint in your daily life?

Share your thoughts and comments with us.

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“Shared at the Homestead Blog Hop#155”