Going green is not just something we decide on a whim. You have to truly believe in the concept and become aware of the environmental issues. More and more people are concerned about our planet, and they are doing small things to make a positive change. They are not making big sacrifices, they’re just living their lives based on their values.
Nature is paying them back by keeping them physically and mentally healthy, but also by saving their money. As an individual, you have a chance to make this planet a better place, so follow these steps in order to build a sustainable lifestyle. You will adapt to these changes pretty easily.
Reduce water consumption
Did you know that an average household spends approximately 138 gallons of water per day? You can reduce the amount of water by taking small steps, such as fixing leaks, using short cycles for washing clothes, turning off the tap when brushing your teeth, installing low-flow showerheads, or installing tap aerators on all your taps. But if you want to take an even bigger step, you can always install rainwater collection system. It collects rainwater from your roof and filters it, enabling you to use it in your household. So, if you have a big yard, or a business that requires a lot of water, a system like this pays for itself in a short time.
Go organic
Nowadays, people are concerned about what they eat and drink more than ever. By choosing organic products, you’re thinking not only about yourself but also about the environment. Pesticides and chemicals used in conventional agriculture had contaminated almost all of the nation’s streams and rivers and the living world in them. A reduction in the use of pesticides support sustainable agriculture and biodiversity, so choosing organic will make your lifestyle a bit greener. Also, it’s important to choose local products, to reduce the number of meals containing meat, and to always look for sustainable, fair-trade, environmentally-friendly food. Remember, both organic milk and meat contain around 50% more beneficial omega-3 fatty acids than conventionally produced products.
Reduce the amount of energy you use
Saving the energy is one of the biggest steps you can do to make a big difference in your living environment. Although some energy-saving techniques require some initial financial investment, they are absolutely economical in the long-term. There are many ways to start saving an energy. Firstly, you can use LED light bulbs instead of standard that waste more energy. Also, turn off the lights and other appliances whenever you don’t need them or utilize timers and motion sensors and unplug a charger of your phone, laptop or tablet when you’re not using them.
Next, insulating your home can make heating much more efficient and save you a lot of money. Finding affordable ways to finance home improvements will help you invest in your future, reduce your energy usage and save money over the long-term.
Buy a reusable water bottle
One million plastic bottles are bought every minute, which is nearly 20,000 every second. This is disturbing fact because most of them will probably end up in landfills or in nature. So, instead of buying single-use bottles, you can buy the one with the BPA-free mark and use it again and again. Moreover, they are perfect for hot tea or ice-cold water and you can choose any design that fits your style.
Use recycled bags
Only 1 to 3% of plastic bags are recycled worldwide, so the least you can do is to use earth-friendly bags and recycle any old plastic bags you have lying around. Plastic takes more than 400 years to degrade, so you have to influence other people to start doing it, too. Even stores are aware of this problem. Most of them stopped selling plastic bags in order to make this planet a better place, so you should follow their example.
Buy eco-friendly gifts
A great way to make an impact on other people is to share your values with them. You can do it only by wrapping their gifts in eco-friendly materials. Moreover, you can make the present on your own, give them a second-hand book, or offer them some of your time and skills. So, find out what your friend likes and come to the party with a unique gift.
Your actions matter, you have to understand that. Even if you’re one in a million that is following the green lifestyle, you are doing more than you know for our planet. If you spread awareness about green lifestyle around you, your friend will start ditching unhealthy food, toxic household products, wasteful practices, just as you did. These changes will make a huge difference in your life and the environment, so continue doing great things for yourself and show your love to the planet earth.
Meta description: Living a truly green and healthy life should be imperative for every individual. Here are the steps you should take to accomplish this goal.