Whether you’ve always been concerned about your ecological impact, or you’re just getting started, the truth is that it’s never too late to dive in. Reducing your carbon footprint and taking steps to be more eco conscious is admirable! So where do you even get started? Here are some of the simplest yet most effective ways to be more eco-conscious in your daily life.
Choose Sustainable Companies
It’s important that you’re a responsible consumer. Whenever possible, opt for products made with sustainable materials. Choose companies that have eco and ethically friendly produced goods and practices. Additionally, you should support local businesses whenever possible to reduce your overall carbon footprint.
What many people don’t realize is that even though it may cost a little more to purchase locally, every time you purchase something from afar, you’re contributing to carbon emissions. If something is purchased locally, it has much less of an environmental impact.
Preserve Water
Perhaps you’re one of the many that doesn’t understand how precious water is since it comes out of the faucet so effortlessly. However, conserving water is a critical part of preserving the environment. Preserving water starts with reducing the amount we use by limiting the amount of time we take showers, to fixing leaky faucets.
To really go the extra mile, you may even want to consider collecting rainwater to water your plants and gardens instead of using water from the sink. Water conservation doesn’t just help preserve one of our most precious resources either— it can also help you save on bills.
Choose Sustainable Transportation
Depending on where you live, chances are you probably rely on your car for a lot of things. However, whenever possible try to opt for public transportation or carpooling. You may even want to consider taking your bike. You can save a lot of money on fuel costs, and also do your part to reduce carbon emissions.
Besides, taking the bus can be downright fun. Instead of having to focus on the road, you can put on a pair of headphones, listen to some music, or even read a book.
Turn off the Lights!
Unfortunately, many of us have bad habits when it comes to leaving the lights on. Even though it may seem innocent to leave a light on for a few minutes while you leave the room, the truth is that it adds up throughout the year. Turn off the lights every time you leave a room, even if you plan on coming back in. You may also want to consider opting for energy efficient appliances to further reduce your overall energy consumption.
Reduce Reuse and Recycle
The age-old rule of the three R’s “reduce reuse and recycle” is still as relevant as it ever was. Reduce your overall consumption, reuse whenever you can, and recycle whenever possible. The more you can stick to the golden 3 R’s, the more you contribute to a greener earth overall.