Every day, new information about our planet’s struggles appears in the news. For many of us, that’s enough to inspire some serious lifestyle changes. So, if you’re asking yourself, “What are some changes I can make for a more eco-friendly life?” you’re in the right place! We’ve done the research and will share some of the most effective ways to lighten your environmental impact.
Making eco-friendly lifestyle choices is actually not as overwhelming as it might appear. Pick just one or two things to focus on every month, and you’ll have a more environmentally-conscious lifestyle in no time. Plus, most of these tips will help improve your health as well.
Here are four small changes to help you get started:
- Use fewer chemical cleaning products
- Get a reusable water bottle and avoid disposables
- Buy locally-grown food
- Commute to work or school by carpooling, public transit, or biking
In the rest of this article, we’ll share easy-to-follow tips for making each of these changes second nature. So, get ready to help save the planet!
4 Changes To Make For A More Eco-Friendly Lifestyle
Use Natural Cleaning Products
Switching out your toxic chemical-laden cleansers for natural options will help keep harsh chemicals out of our waterways. That helps birds and fish stay healthier, along with anyone who consumes seafood. Plus, natural cleansers will keep you and your family healthier because you won’t inhale toxic fumes from regular cleansers. You can purchase natural cleaning products at most stores or make your own from products like vinegar and baking soda.
Bring a Reusable Water Bottle
This one little change can make a huge difference for our oceans. Americans throw out 35 billion plastic water bottles every year, and many of them, even those that were recycled, end up in the ocean. In addition, disposable plastic water bottles can leach harsh chemicals into the water, and studies show that up to 93% of bottled water contains microplastics.
To avoid these consequences for both your own and the planet’s health, buy your own reusable bottle. Metal or glass are best to minimize chemicals leaching from plastic.
Become a ‘Locavore’
Another way to keep the planet and yourself healthy is by buying locally-grown groceries. Emissions from food transportation make up one-fifth of global emissions, as food is brought to grocery stores from increasingly far-flung corners of the world. To help combat this, become a “locavore,” or a person who primarily eats food grown within a 100 radius of their home.
Although you might have a smaller variety to choose from, the food will definitely be fresher and healthier. Many grocery stores have a locally grown section, or you can check out your local farmers’ market.
Change Up Your Commute
If you drive a car to work every day, you might be able to cut down on your carbon emissions by adjusting your commute. According to the EPA, one passenger vehicle emits around 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide every year. This is linked to global warming and increases air pollution, which can cause various diseases, including asthma and cancer.
If you’re in a city with public transit, try taking the bus or train. In rural areas, you might be able to organize a carpool. Or, if you’re close enough to work, you could consider biking. As an additional bonus, you’ll get some extra free time to read or work on another hobby when you would have been driving!
As you can see, the health of our planet has a big impact on our individual health, too. We hope that this article gave you a place to start making small changes for our collective health!
