Easy Everyday Changes to Be More Eco-Friendly
Posted: January 30, 2020 by Ed Mueck
In a world where single-use items are everywhere and new models are released every few months, it can be hard to slow down and think about the environmental impact of our actions. It can be easy to reduce waste without a second thought. Here are a few tips to incorporate into everyday life to make helping the environment second nature.
Paper or Plastic? Reusable!
Whether it’s shopping bags at the grocery store or straws at your favorite restaurant, bringing your own can help reduce plastic waste. If you don’t have a pile of reusable shopping bags piling up in the backseat of your car, you can find them at your local grocery store for less than $1 typically. It’s easy to be at the store and see a box of plastic straws to have around the home. Instead of buying something that’s single-use, it’s easy to find a pack of reusable metal or silicone straws. The easiest way to be eco-friendly every day is to choose reusable items instead of single-use pieces of trash.
Get a Reusable Cup & Waterbottle
Maybe you stop at Starbucks or your favorite local coffee shop on the way to work. Maybe you use the styrofoam coffee cups at work. Maybe you grab a bottle of your favorite water at the store. How we get in our morning cup of coffee, tea, or our 8 glasses of water a day matters. Bringing your own travel cup to the coffee shop is a good way to cut down on waste, and will often get you a discount. Bottled water can be a sensitive subject for many because people have their favorite brands. Investing in a Brita Filter and a reusable water bottle, such as a Hydroflask or Nalgene, may seem trivial at first, but overall saves money and saves water bottles from ending up in the landfill. Coldwell Banker has some great North Star cups and water bottles on their website!
Don’t Be Afraid to Buy Pre-Loved Things
There isn’t much need to buy something brand new when you can find the same thing pre-loved. Whether this is just a plain blouse that you choose to by at your local thrift store rather than the mall, or a new coffee maker off Facebook Marketplace instead of Walmart, or even a luxury bag or belt found on The RealReal or Poshmark instead of in the store. There are so many goods already produced that are waiting to be used! This hack can also help save money on items, while also reducing waste.
Donate Before You Throw Away
Just as shopping pre-loved items is an easy eco-friendly switch, donating your own items helps reduce waste. Maybe you’re moving and can’t justify keeping all the clothes in your closet, drop them off at a second-hand store or find a resale store, like Runway Fashion Exchange or Plato’s Closet, and get a few extra dollars back. Technology and furniture are easy to sell on Facebook Marketplace, simply list them at a reasonable price and wait for the offers. And if you have items that may not be worth any money, your local thrift store will appreciate the donation!
Sometimes these changes just take an extra few seconds of consideration! Don’t forget, if you can avoid creating waste do it!