5 Easy Ways to ❤ Your Earth

by Lauren Hernandez | Apr 22, 2019

It's easier than you think.

To be environmentally friendly simply means to live a lifestyle that is better for the environment, AKA Earth, AKA your home. It's all about taking small steps towards larger and greater goals in order to help make this planet a better place for our communities and generations to come. Here's a list of a few ways to start, from conserving water to recycling the proper materials, surely you'll find a method that fits your lifestyle and you'll be on your way to making this planet a better place (because there's no Planet B).

::::::::::

1

Commit to Compost

Surely you've let your food go a bit too long in the refrigerator before, you know, past the expiration date? Instead of tossing it all in the garbage, toss it in a compost pile! Talk about a nutrient-packed pile. Having compost allows you to create natural fertilizer that will, in return, keep your garden healthy and green. This too allows for less waste ending up in landfills! The anaerobic process (done without oxygen) used for industrial or domestic purposes to manage waste or produce fuels creates a build-up of gasses like methane that lacks in an all-natural compost pile.

2

Reusable Containers, Y'all

In the U.S., the average person goes through roughly 150+ plastic water bottles a year. This means that the country as a whole uses over 50 billion plastic water bottles on an annual basis. Use a reusable water bottle instead of contributing to the problem. You can do your part to protect the environment by drinking water out of an eco-friendly alternative such as a stainless steel or glass water bottle. However, while water bottles are widely used, so are things like straws and to-go containers. There are alternatives for those too! Try a reusable straw that you can pack in your purse or pocket. And don't forget those reusable bags the next time you go for groceries -- they're inexpensive and make carrying groceries inside much, much easier.

3

Keep it Parked

If you can make the journey on foot, bike, bus or train, then do it. Driving a vehicle other than an electric powered one isn't very eco-friendly. Each time you drive, you are adding to and increasing your carbon footprint. So how about this, while you're saving the environment, save yourself some money too - by carpooling with a friend, walking or biking instead. And if you must drive, try to be mindful of keeping the speed down, not mashing the gas, and keeping your tires properly inflated to ensure you get the most out of your vehicle.

4

Get Familiar with Recycling

Recycling, to put it lightly, is a process that creates new items from old and used ones. This helps to reduce energy and other potentially useful materials from being wasted. You can recycle almost everything, from batteries to paper, glass to cars. Did you know that if you throw away your aluminum cans in the garbage, they can stay in that can form for up to 500+ years? True story. So, the next time you decide to throw something away, take a minute to find out if you could recycle it instead.

5

Eliminate Plastic Probs

Plastic is recyclable, but less than one-quarter of water bottles used in the U.S. are actually recycled. The vast majority of plastics are sent to landfills, or end up in our oceans, where they can cause significant damage to the environment and the animals who inhibit it. Here's three simple ways to cut plastics out of your everyday life: bring your own reusable bag(s) when you go shopping, drink your beverages without a straw from now on (majority of restaurants carry plastic straws), and start bringing your own mug when grabbing coffee or tea on the go!

::::::::::