Seven Simple Tips for a Greener Lifestyle
Living a Greener Lifestyle
We all want to live a lifestyle that’s good for the planet, but it’s tough to know where to start. Fortunately, even the smallest steps can have a positive impact. Here are a few of our favorite ways to make your life a little more eco-friendly.
Be Laundry-Smart
Caring for your clothes can use a lot of energy. Cut back by washing with cold water and by doing fewer loads per week. If you have the space (and a cooperative stretch of weather), hang your clothes to dry rather than using an electric dryer. Not only do these changes reduce the amount of energy you consume, they’ll also reduce the amount you have to pay on your energy bill.
Control Your Environment
Heating your home is another drain on resources, especially when you’re heating an empty house. Be smart about your heating. Keep your thermostat at 68 degrees when you’re at home, and lower it to 55 degrees when you’re sleeping or out of the house.
Go Vegetarian… for a Day
We’re not telling you to give up on meat altogether, but embracing a vegetarian menu once a week has benefits you might not realize. Did you know that in order to create one pound of beef, 2,500 gallons of water are used? Try a new vegetarian meal every week to keep your diet interesting and eco-friendly.
Shorten Your Showers
The average shower uses five gallons of water every minute. Cutting two or three minutes off your shower time every day can really add up. For an added bonus, start the day with a shower with your partner. One less person showering a day makes a huge difference.
Be a Strategic Driver
Running out to do an errand or two a day wastes gas and time. Instead, take some time at the beginning of the week to list all of the errands you need to achieve, and pick a day to get them all done. Keep the healthy car habits rolling by remembering to use your cruise control. Cruise control helps your car run more efficiently, giving you up to 15% better gas mileage.
Reuse
Say goodbye to disposable plates, forks, water bottles, and coffee cups. Say hello to items that you can use again and again. Invest in a coffee maker and travel mug to save money and reduce waste while still enjoying your morning joe. Use an insulated lunch bag to tote your food to work instead of a paper or plastic bag. Finally, stop buying bottled water. The EPA has higher standards for tap water than the FDA does for bottled water, so switching to a reusable water bottle is better for the environment, your wallet, and potentially even your health.
Use Natural Beauty Products
Work natural beauty and personal care products into your daily routine to take care of yourself while still protecting the earth. Natural and organic beauty products (like Earth’s Daughter’s Aloe Vera Gel and Nature’s Blender Blending Sponges) use ingredients that are created with an emphasis on sustainability. You’ll enjoy better quality products while still helping the earth – what’s better than that?