We all know by now how important it is to assist the environment. It’s become more important than ever before because the U.S. tends to be a wasteful nation. The average American’s carbon footprint is over 21 metric tons, an amount that has been increasing for the past 25 years.

Maybe you’d prefer to reduce your own carbon footprint, but they are a new comer to the idea of being enviromentally friendly and aren’t sure where to start. The good thing is there are numerous easy methods to go green that don’t require making huge changes in lifestyle.

We have 15 good ideas , lead a far more sustainable lifestyle, a few of which you can begin doing today.

1. Use Reusable Shopping Bags

One of the most popular threats to the environment is the single-use plastic bags given out at stores. Americans use 100 billion plastic bags annually and many of them find themselves in our oceans and landfills. The baggage require centuries to collapse and are often mistaken for food by land and ocean animals.

While some towns are banning retailers by using plastic bags, one of the best methods for you to assist the environment is to bring your own reusable bags on your shopping trips. If everyone did this, it might send the content to retailers that their plastic bags are unwanted and unneeded. It could just cause them to become stop producing them altogether.

Reusable bags can be purchased on the internet and found in many stores. Better still, you may make your personal from scrap fabric, customizing them inside your favorite colors and patterns.

2. Brew Your Own Coffee or Recycle Your Coffee Pods

Many popular coffee machines use coffee pods. While convenient, many people just toss the pods away where their plastic and aluminum components find themselves in the landfill.

You can decrease the amount of plastic you’re tossing by switching to traditionally brewed coffee or purchasing a tool that allows you to recycle the pod. Recycle a Cup is a gadget that separates the plastic part of a coffee pod so it could be cleaned and recycled.

What related to the coffee grinds? Begin a compost pile, which is another great method to help the environment. Learn composting 101, and set your kitchen scraps to get affordable use by reduction of waste.

3. Lower your Amount of Mail

Help lessen the amount of paper your utility and subscription-based companies send by switching to paperless bills. By paying online you’ll also save a little bit of cash on postage.

Junk mail is yet another waste of paper. Attempt to eliminate around you can visiting your house by requesting that the name and address be removed from mailing lists.

4. Stop Phantom Energy

Phantom energy or vampire power happens when plugged-in appliances continue to “suck” electricity even when switched off. Get into the habit of smoking of unplugging your TV, computer, microwave, along with other appliances keep.

Not only will this straightforward action help conserve electricity, but it’ll shave some cash off your monthly energy bill.

5. Invest in a Reusable Water or Coffee Bottle

Bottled water is another source of pollution; although plastic water bottles are accepted by recycling plants, not everyone recycles them. Utilizing a reusable water bottle or thermos helps keep excess plastic from reaching the ocean and landfills.

Many coffee shops reward customers who generate their very own bottle or thermos for purchases with discounts. Purchasing a reusable water bottle is worth the investment.

6. Embrace Meatless Mondays

Go meatless once a week and you’ll help cut down the amount of waste made by America’s meat industry.

If you can’t give up meat for just one day, purchase grass-fed beef and poultry. Grass-fed livestock are elevated in natural and healthier conditions that are more sustainable for the environment.

7. Switch to Cloth Diapers

If you’re a parent of an infant, you know that nothing beats the convenience of disposable diapers. Except over 20 billion of these find themselves in landfills every year and also the human waste in them can contaminate waterways.

If you have a baby inside your household, think about making the change to cloth diapers. Sure, it’s an inconvenience having them laundered, but it’s a lot better for the environment. Many baby gear manufacturers are attempting to make cloth diapers manageable by making washable inserts made from hemp, bamboo, along with other natural fibers.

You’ll also save money, considering a baby can certainly go through thousands of dollars price of throwaway diapers in a year.

8. Support Eco-Conscious Businesses

There are lots of firms that use sustainable practices when producing their goods. They may also recycle their waste responsibly or donate some of the profits to some non-profit that's enhancing the environment.

You can support these businesses by purchasing their goods and services whenever you can. Sustainable companies set a positive example that encourage other manufacturers to make changes.

9. Cut Down on Car Usage

Ride sharing or taking public transportation more regularly helps decrease emissions that contaminate the environment. Try riding your bike or walking to a nearby destination rather than driving; you’ll be burning calories and keep the environment healthier.

10. Buy Local and Organic Produce

Buying produce and goods from local farmers and visiting farmers markets is a great method to support nearby businesses. It also benefits the environment since local farms aren’t utilizing just as much plastic and paper to wrap and ship their produce elsewhere.

Choosing organic produce is even better for that environment. Organically grown vegetables and fruit are raised without pesticides along with other dangerous chemicals entering the environment and ground.

11. Recycle E-Waste Responsibly

It’s tempting to wish to put old computer equipment and appliances within the trash, however these items often have components which are potentially dangerous to the environment when broken down. Instead, seek advice from your town to find out if they hold an e-waste recycling day and what merchandise is accepted.

Alternatively, you can donate computer equipment whether it meets certain criteria to a local recycling center. Your refurbished computer goes to some school or nonprofit that needs it.

12. Choose Economical Appliances

Buying appliances that have earned the Energy Star seal can help you save on energy costs without compromising performance. Look for the seal when it’s time for you to replace a significant appliance like a fridge, ac, or dishwasher.

If a product doesn’t include the Energy Star seal, seek out features that may curb energy usage such as a timer, temperature adjustment, and automatic shut-off.

When you are looking at drying clothes, however, you can do the most good by hanging them outside on nice days. The seal continues to be somewhat hard to find on dryers, and nothing beats that fresh air smell on clean clothing.

13. Make or Buy Your Own Reusable Food Bags

Decrease the quantity of plastic sandwich and snack bags all your family members throws away by making or buying reusable food bags. Many companies are making these bags so they’re dishwasher safe, so cleaning and reusing them is really a snap.

Cloth-based bags aim at refrigerated items and dry snacks. For reusable freezer bags, look for ones made from silicone which include an airtight, leakproof seal.

14. Become Solar Energy

We admit that this isn’t something you can implement in your home overnight and it’s not quite inexpensive. But for homeowners likely to stay in their residence for several more years, switching to solar energy will help you save money on your bills in the long run.

The actual panel installation doesn’t take much time whatsoever. There are plenty of solar companies to select from and many of them, such as Progressive Power Solutions Solar, now provide warranties and may handle customized solar projects. And when it is time to sell your home, your solar energy system will add value to its selling price.

15. Recycle Paper and Plastic Goods

Yes, this can be a basic green tip that everyone knows about, but it’s worth repeating. Recycle paper and plastic goods through your town’s pick-up service so they won’t bring about landfills.

You’ll need to check with your town’s website to confirm what’s accepted, but most recycling facilities take newspapers, plastic food containers, tin cans, and cut-up cardboard boxes as a minimum.

There Are Many Methods to Go Green

As you can see, there are many methods to live green that are easy and convenient. Even if you’re a newbie to living an environmentally friendly lifestyle, choosing just three of those can help create a positive effect on environmental surroundings. It’s also never too late to start being more sustainable in your life.

NuEnergy is dedicated to providing you with regular content to help you live a far more sustainable life and preserve the environment. For more tips about going green, read our latest eco-friendly posts.