Reduce Your Carbon Footprint Without Compromising Quality of Life

The term “Going Green” is gaining ground and that’s a good thing for future generations. Conserving natural resources and putting fewer toxins into the air and less waste into landfills definitely benefits the planet. Thankfully, there are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint without reducing your quality of life. 

Preserving Water

Water is a natural resource that many take advantage of. Unfortunately, the supply is limited and the usage enormous.

Thankfully, you can do your part by adopting smart habits to preserve it. Take shorter showers and upgrade your showerhead to an energy-efficient model.

Only run the washer and dishwasher when they are full and turn the water off when you are brushing your teeth and during other personal hygiene routines.

When watering the lawn, set a timer, and don’t turn on the sprinklers when you are expecting rain.

Look for cosmetics and items like a shampoo bar, that use less water and eliminate plastic packaging.   

Long-Lasting Eco-Friendly Products

As part of a sustainable lifestyle, reducing the use of manufactured products helps to lessen the planet’s exposure to harmful toxins.

Plastic bottles take decades to decompose whereas natural woods like bamboo are 100-percent biodegradable.

Cloth napkins and diapers made of plant-based cotton are good choices whereas paper napkins and disposable diapers contain chemicals and add waste to landfills. 

Buy Used Clothing and Furniture

Second-hand shops offer a way to buy quality items without the need to produce new ones, thus reducing the need for using additional natural resources.

They’re also friendlier on the wallet and a fraction of the cost. Fashions change frequently and children grow out of clothing quickly, making it a win-win across the board. 

Healthy Home-Cooked Meals

Preparing meals at home is better for your health, your wallet, and the environment.

You won’t transmit emissions when picking up the order and you won’t have the styrofoam or plastic packaging to discard.

The expense of ordering out even once weekly can cost you more than $200.00 per month. 

Go Paperless

Today, many companies give you the option of paying your bills online, and businesses such as doctor’s offices and pharmacies send a text or an email as a reminder.

Use a scanner at the office and take out books from the library or purchase an ebook online.

Buy Recycled Products

Purchasing recycled products further reduces the dependency on natural resources while also eliminating toxins and decreasing waste in landfills.

Today there’s a large number of recycled products available including floor mats, rugs, copy paper and envelopes, and aluminum foil. 

Reusable Products

Reducing waste is easier than you may imagine and can save you money in the process.

Reusable products like coffee cups, coffee filters, and travel mugs eliminate the consumption of paper and plastic.

Lessen your use of plastic wrap by investing in BPA-free, silicone food savers, food bags, and cloth food covers.

Baking mats and baking cups made of silicone can eliminate the need for paper and parchment paper.

Use washable microfiber pads and cloths instead of disposable ones for home cleaning. 

Conserve Energy

Switching to LED lights, unplugging electronics and lights, not in use, and reducing drafts in your home or business are a few ways to conserve energy.

Installing a programmable thermostat, solar outdoor lighting, hand-drying clothing, and taking shorter showers are a few other examples.

Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances and installing solar panels will also reduce your carbon footprint. 

Reducing your carbon footprint doesn’t mean a reduced quality of life.

In fact, in many cases, it will put more money back in your pocket that you can use to fund your retirement, open a savings account for emergencies, or use for a vacation.