Top Ten Ways You Can Create a “PositivEarth”

Top Ten Ways You Can Create a “PositivEarth”

Many people want to help make our world a better place, but don’t know where to start. Being eco-friendly for our planet is an appealing idea, but you may feel lost when it comes to making a difference. No worries – you’d be surprised at how easy becoming more eco-friendly can truly be. Here are the top ten ways you can make a positive impact on our planet.

  1. Stop using single-use plastics.                                                                                                                         Harmful plastics serve as one of the biggest threats to our environment. Single-use plastics have become a regular part of our lives, but giving them up isn’t as difficult as you may think. Buy yourself a reusable water bottle instead of buying plastic ones. Say no to plastic silverware when you’re ordering food. Opt for no plastic straw when drinking a beverage. Use reusable bags at the store. Even Keurig coffee makers have reusable cups to use with coffee grounds instead of going through a hundred of those k-cups.
  1. Use reusable containers and bags, instead of paper or plastic.
    Taking reusable bags and containers to the store with you is a simple way to reduce the use of paper and plastic bags that they’ll use to bag your items. Reusable containers and bags can be used for a myriad of things, including packing your or your children’s lunch, general storage, or a unique twist on gift-wrapping.
  1. Don’t waste your food.
    Not only is wasted food a waste of money, but it adds to the amount of CO2 being created in landfills. Being conscientious of your use of food can significantly help our planet. If you want to take it to the next level, at-home composting is a viable option that can be easy to learn how to do with a simple Google search.
  1. Donate or reuse your clothing and other items.
    Recycling is more than just putting your used plastics in the right bin. Recycling clothes and other used items by donating or repurposing them is a great way to reduce waste.
  1. Use eco-friendly products.
    From beauty items and shampoos to cleaning supplies and toilet paper, the products you use have a huge impact on our planet. Harsh chemicals, packaging, and transportation of said products all have a harmful effect on our ecosystem. Choosing eco-friendly products is an easy way to make a positive difference.
  2. Use electronic documentation rather than wasting paper.
    Our society is mainly run by technology anyway, so why waste the paper when you can share, store, and read everything electronically nowadays? Be mindful of what you need to print when you can.

 

  1. Be mindful of your electric, heat and water use in your home.
    Energy conservation is one of the most important steps you can take toward reducing your carbon footprint. Make sure you remember to turn off, unplug, and dial down whenever you can.
  2. Shop local.
    When you buy your everyday items like food and clothing, more carbon is created the further they must transport. Make sure the items you purchase are made and bought as close to home as possible. Not only will this ensure less carbon pollution, but it can help your community to overcome financial adversities, too.

 

  1. Choose a different mode of transportation.
    Deciding to drive can really add to your carbon footprint, and choosing another route is an easy way to be more eco-friendly. The options that exist are endless. Walk, bike, or choose to take public transportation. If driving is unavoidable, then opt for an eco-friendlier vehicle and try to carpool as often as you can.
  2. Eat less meat.
    Meat and dairy are responsible for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural industry. Cutting down on your meat intake, even if only a few days of the week (a fully-vegan diet can seem intimidating for some), can make a difference.

Written by: Marley Decker

Why Make the Switch to Eco-Friendly Living?

Living life greener is more than just a trend. The way you live your life and your daily habits and rituals significantly impact your health, happiness, and the well-being of the world around you. A more sustainable lifestyle has positive effects on a personal and an environmental level. If you habitually participate in unhealthy patterns, switching to an eco-friendly way of life may come as a challenge. But the advantages and benefits you’ll find from making the shift will make the challenge all the more rewarding.

What are the benefits of making the switch?

A healthier planet makes for a healthier life for all of mankind. When it comes to the way you’re living, there’s a lot at stake both individually and globally. Minimizing your waste and carbon footprint make for cleaner living for you and the world. You will simply be able to breathe better. With eco-friendly living, you’ll make for a healthier life for yourself and for the environment around you.

Though it’s often thought that eco-friendly is equivalent to higher prices, you actually end up saving that hole in your pocket in the long run. With a sustainable lifestyle, you’ll be saving money by using fewer resources. Using less heat, water, gasoline, etc. will lower your bills significantly.

With all that saved money, splurging the extra change on eco-friendly products will come at literally no cost. Eco-friendly products are not only good for the environment, but they’re better for you, too. You’ll be using natural ingredients and higher-quality products that your body will thank you for.

Consuming healthier, more natural products and produce will improve the health of your body. That, paired with exercise, will keep you in shape and release endorphins that make you happier.

Making the shift to eco-friendly living will provide you with a new sense of purpose. As you feel improvements in your mind and body, you’ll be making a difference to the world and future generations. The change you’ll be making wholistically will improve your quality of life overall.

What changes can I make for an eco-friendlier lifestyle?

  1. Use fewer resources.
    Be mindful of your heat, electricity, and how much water you go through. Small habits like turning off the sink while you’re brushing your teeth and turning off lights and electronics can make a difference. Lessening your car usage lessens the amount of fuel you go through. All of these are saving you money and helping your environment.     
  2. Instead of opting to drive (when possible), cycling or even walking are viable and sustainable options for transportation. You’ll produce less pollution to the environment, and the health benefits range from physical to mental as well. Exercise is important for both the body and the mind. Deciding to walk or cycle will keep you in shape and keep your mental health well, too. Though the hustle and bustle of modern life tempts us to take the faster route by driving, sometimes it’s important to slow down, smell the flowers, and take the scenic route.
  1. Compost
    Recycling food and other organic waste into compost provides a range of environmental benefits, including improving soil health, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, recycling nutrients, and mitigating the impact of droughts. Composting is the natural process of recycling organic matter (like leaves and food scraps) into a fertilizer. Anything that grows decomposes eventually, and composting simply speeds up the process. Composting might sound like such a chore – but with a little research composting can be made as simple as you need it to be.
  1. Recycle more than just your recycling.
    Instead of throwing away things that you don’t need anymore, find a new use for them. Repurposing old items not only keeps it out of a landfill, but it makes for fun DIY projects for you. If you’re unable to, there are a plethora of apps and online sites nowadays where you can sell used clothes, products, furniture, or virtually anything you no longer have use for. Not only will this find new purpose for them, but it’ll wrack up even more money for your pockets.
  1. Use natural, organic, eco-friendly products.
    Eco-friendly products are better for you, better for the environment, and generally more luxurious overall. Being conscientious of what ingredients are in your products and what materials are used in the making of your products is a great habit to get into to be more eco and health-conscious.
  1. Eat locally grown produce.
    Choosing locally grown produce benefits you, the environment, and the local producer you’re supporting. By buying locally, you’re reducing the carbon footprint related to packaging and transportation of outsourced foods. You’re also putting money in the pocket of somebody who likely needs it more than larger corporations or grocery stores that you’re used to purchasing your produce from. Everybody wins!
  1. Opt for eco-friendly home upgrades.
    This could be solar paneling, using gas lanterns, or creating your own home garden to grow your very own produce from. It saves the environment, saves on your bills, and makes for a great statement piece to have in your home.

The possibilities are endless and the benefits limitless when you make the switch to eco-friendly living. If you’re considering making the switch – the decision should be easy. Eco-friendly living is the best way to live.

Written by: Marley Decker