How to Help the Environment

Every day the media delivers devastating news about the daily impact people have on the environment. Watching the disturbing images may leave you feeling overwhelmed. Do you want to change? Take small steps in your every day to make a difference.

Small Ways You Can Help the Environment

Incorporating environmentally-friendly acts into your lifestyle produces positive results. The simplistic of some of the tasks means the entire family can participate.

Go Energy Efficient

• Turn off lights when leaving a room.
• Turn off the computer or other technological devices when not in use.
• Use less hot water when doing the laundry or taking a shower.
• When heating your home, lower temperature by two or more degrees during the winter months to keep your furnace from running continuously. Or during the summer months to save on air conditioning consumption increase the temperature.
• Allow laundry to air dry by using a clothesline or hang shirts on the shower rod.

Recycle

When possible, recycle. Set up recycling bins in your home or garage. Easy access to the containers allows the entire family to participate.

Items to place in recycling include:

• Newspapers
• Magazines
• Glass
• Metal
• Plastic shopping bags (Many supermarkets such as Wal-Mart and Kroger have a box set up for returning plastic shopping bags.)
• Cardboard
• Batteries
• Technological devices (Depending on where you live, computer parts, and other components may require a particular recycling area.)

Use Reusable Items

Purchasing reusable items is one of the best ways to help the environment. Not only do you reduce waste, but you also save money.

• Use rechargeable batteries
• Reusable water bottle or travel bug
• Reusable shopping bags
• Reusable sandwich wraps or a sandwich container
• Reusable lunch box or bag

Simply consider the areas where your purchase may result in a single-use consumption. Reducing waste helps the environment. When purchasing household items, look for eco-friendly products.

Eat Your Veggies

Once a week, skip beef consumption. Make a vegan based meal. Processing beef requires numerous resources. Skipping a beef-based meal is actually good for the environment.

Donate Unwanted Items

Do you have kitchen appliances collecting dust? Or unwearable clothes in your closet? Donate the items to your local charity. Most donations are tax-deductible.  When someone buys an already made product, you help the environment.

Plant Trees and Flowers

If you are able, plant trees and bee-friendly flowers to help the environment. Consider growing a small vegetable garden.

Advocate

Small acts are essential for the environment. Telling others of your efforts inspires further activities. Use social media to share your accomplishments.

Community Involvement

Many organizations offer environmentally friendly activities. Cleaning up rivers, highways, or parks generally are part of spring events. Volunteer your time. Do the cleanup as a family or friend activity. Meet others who share your passion for helping the environment.