There are so many simple ways [and easy swaps] to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle and therefore, making the world a better place!
Challenge yourself ~ starting small is better than not starting at all, but aim high and set goals for yourself and your eco-living!
Here’s our list:
+ Walk or Ride everywhere: Reduce your carbon footprint by walking or riding a bike instead of driving.
+ Carry a reusable water bottle: Studies show that one million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute. By 2021 that number is estimated to grow another 20%. Skipping the plastic bottle and bringing your own can help reduce the amount of disposable plastic usage.
+ Unplug each night: Unplugging, in general, lowers energy and carbon emissions. It’s not only good for the environment to unplug but also good for your mental health. Even though we do live in such a digital era, you don’t always need to be ‘on’.
+ Take shorter showers: Shortening your showers, even by just a few minutes, can save gallons of water each time. If you really want to take it a step further, take shorter showers and cold ones; this helps with saving energy and has many health benefits.
+ Support / shop local: Shop locally!! Help grow businesses near you ~ Shopping at local businesses or buying from local brands helps improve the local economy. Show your support to local businesses by sharing their content, participating in activities, and being curious (ask questions and learn more about the products they are selling or services that they’re providing).
+ Get outside! (but keep it clean): Instead of staying in, go outside! Go for a walk, a run, read a book in the garden, play with your pets, plan a picnic, sketch a landscape, whatever you’re in to! Just make sure to always clean up after yourself ~
+ Use reusable grocery bags: 1 reusable bags = 22,000 plastic bags over a person’s lifetime. Those plastic bags pose a threat to birds and marine animals, clog waterways, spoil landscapes, and ultimately end up in landfills where they may take 1,000 years or more to break down in to smaller particles (that continue to pollute). Just remember, the more you use a bag, the more environmentally friendly it becomes!
+ Don’t buy single-use items: Plastic bags are a single-use item. As well as, plastic straws, plastic cutlery, plastic cups, plastic bottles and styrofoam packaging, to name a few. These items start as pollution on land and make their way to the oceans. Ways to prevent using/buying single-use items is by bringing your own.
+ Carry your own bamboo or stainless steel straw
+ Donate items you no longer need instead of throwing it away: “What is one man’s trash is another’s treasure”. Donating your items does not only help someone else in need, but also helps save water, reduces landfills and reduces carbon footprint. Pass it on!
+ Hang laundry when possible: Air-drying your laundry conserves resources and energy. It is gentle on your clothing and encourages you to go outside. Sunlight can also help disinfect your laundry plus, it smells fresh!
+ Buy second-hand when NEW is not necessary: Purchasing second-hand encourages a community that recycles. It extends the lifespan of garments and therefore helps deal with textile waste. A lot of water and chemicals are used in the manufacturing of our garments – when we reuse and recycle those resources can be used to provide something else, like drinking water.
+ Build a compost pile for gardening: Composting is great for the environment for many reasons. It saves water by helping the soil hold moisture and recycles organic resources. Plus, it enriches the soil, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and encourages the production of beneficial bacteria ~ all of which are great for your plants!
Follow us on our social media sites @naturestemple to keep up with our other tips on living a more sustainable lifestyle.
