Three Easy Tips for an Eco-Friendly Lifestyle

Going green and striving to live an environmentally friendly lifestyle is the new trend. It is heartening to see a rise in the concern for the environment, a new awareness for green alternatives, and a concern for the future. The only dilemma of this movement is there are many misconceptions about eco-friendly lifestyles. For some individuals, “going green” is just a trend. Others believe that eco-friendly living is an extravagant or expensive lifestyle that they cannot achieve. To really make a lasting impact and to ensure the environment stays healthy eco-friendly lifestyles must become the norm. In truth, adapting to an environmentally conscious way of life does not have to be difficult, time consuming or costly – in fact, you may even save money. Every small effort can make a big impact and just a few changes in your everyday routine can make a considerable difference. Here are a few tips to help you get started and change the way you live, for the better. Turn off that switch – One really simple way to save on energy is to turn off lights, appliances and any other electronics when not in use. Do you remember when you were a kid and your parents were nagging you to turn off the lights? Well they were right. Turning off lights and electronics when not in use saves electricity, reduces your carbon footprint and even saves money. Unplugging electronics actually saves even more electricity. So if you have electronics that aren’t frequently used, unplug them to save money and energy. Another great way to save energy is to replace light bulbs as they go out with new energy saving fluorescent bulbs. These bulbs not only save energy but, they have a much longer lifespan and will save you money. Cut down on Paper Waste – Paper usage creates millions of dead trees each year. Trees are essential for maintaining oxygen on earth and over harvesting of trees could have devastating effects. The easiest way to cut down on paper waste is to reduce usage and reuse paper as needed. This may sound difficult at first but there are many simple ways to decrease your paper usage. Switching to paperless billing is a simple way to reduce paper waste. Canceling paper catalogs is another great way to eliminate paper. Paper plates and paper towels can be easily substituted with reusable products. Reusing paper is a great practice too. Did you know you can use newspaper to soak up spills? Newsprint can also be used for wiping down windows and mirrors and results in a streak free shine. Don’t forget to bring in your own re-usable tote bags when you go shopping. It is a fantastic way to save on paper waste. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle – Chances are that you have heard this one before. It is because reducing, reusing and recycling - is so effective. The idea is to consume fewer resources, buy fewer things, reuse what you can, and recycle what is left over. Eliminating the use of disposable items is a great first step. Don’t purchase wasteful items like paper cups and plastic spoons. Buy products that are reusable. Reusable bags are perfect alternatives for paper and plastic bags. Why not bring coffee from home in your own recycled plastic coffee mugs instead of buying coffee to go in disposable paper cups? Turn old clothes and pillow cases into new shopping totes or seat covers. Transform old milk jugs into bird feeders and once they age, recycle them. Switching to an eco-friendly lifestyle is easy, it just takes a new way of thinking. Just keep an open mind and be creative and you will find a plethora of new ways to help the environment.