This year, more and more people are leaving behind their wasteful lifestyle and are switching to one that’s more eco-friendly. However, this decision requires a lot of changes to the way you live your life. You can’t start a new lifestyle without knowing where to begin. The hardest step, after all, is deciding to make a change and committing to your decision. So, to proceed with your eco-friendly solution, you need to tackle the smaller changes first until you’re ready to live a 100% eco-friendly life. This includes little modifications such as opting for canvas bags and cutting down on plastic use in general. If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got you covered. Here’s how you can make life modifications to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
Replace Plastic Bags With Canvas Bags
Canvas bags are a great alternative to plastic ones, and they last a lot longer too. They do cost a little amount, but they’re far more useful. These bags can hold more items than plastic ones, and they can be used to store and pack your belongings if you’re moving. They’re sturdier, can hold more goods, and make great gifts if your kids are going to college. However, if you can’t get your hands on some good canvas bags, you can still reuse your old plastic bags as a way of living an environment-friendly life.
Cut Back on Meat
Meat consumption is not very good for our environment, therefore, cutting back on it can make a huge difference. Studies held by the UN show that mass livestock production accounts for over 9% of the CO2 derived from human-related activities. It also contributes to a greater share of other harmful greenhouse gases produced yearly, and this includes about 65% of human-related nitrous oxide, a gas that has 296 times the GWP, or Global Warming Potential, of CO2. By eating less meat, you contribute to reducing the emission of GWP gases which, in turn, helps in protecting our environment.
Recycle and Use Less Paper
Recycling is no longer a difficult task. It’s much easier to recycle now that we’re more reliant on digital technology. It’s no longer impossible to go days without using a single piece of paper. Keep in mind that the less paper you use, the fewer trees that have to be cut down instead of filling our forests. While you can still use paper whenever you need to, recycling the paper you use can make a big difference to our environment.
Use Reusable Water Bottles
The problem with drinking water out of plastic bottles is that plastic contains a dangerous hormone-mimicking chemical called bisphenol or BPA. The environmentally conscious individuals at www.ironflask.com say this endocrine-disrupting compound can mimic hormones and lead to serious disruptions in your normal hormone functions. For example, it can mimic estrogen leading to major damage in both male and female reproductive systems. That’s why it’s suggested to use reusable water bottles or iron flasks in order to make sure your water and beverages are uncontaminated. By replacing your plastic bottles, you also contribute to saving the world from plastic pollution.
Reduce Energy Consumption
Reducing the amount of energy you use at home is as simple as a click of a button. There are many small changes you can make at home to not just protect the environment but also reduce your electricity bill. For example, try to unplug your home appliances when they are no longer in use. You can also lower the thermostat of your air conditioning unit around winter and raise it again in summer. Additionally, around 85% of the energy used in washing machines goes to heating the water so aim to wash your clothes in cold weather whenever possible.
Buy the Right Light Bulbs
To do this, you don’t need to run out and replace all your working light bulbs today. You can simply wait until the next time a light bulb burns out so you can replace it with a compact fluorescent light or a light bulb from a brand that is more eco-friendly. CFL bulbs, for example, use less electricity than incandescent light bulbs and they last about 5 times longer, which makes them the more cost-efficient and eco-friendly option.
Saving our planet should be a shared responsibility between every and each one of us. If you’re one of those people who want to make a change, know that living an eco-friendly life is not really a difficult decision. You can easily start by reducing the energy you use around your home or switching your shopping bags from plastic to paper or to canvas bags. It takes nothing but a few habitual changes to contribute to saving our environment and make a big difference, so start now.