It’s everybody’s responsibility to help make the world better, but many of us don’t have enough time to dedicate to it. If you’re looking for extra ways of being eco-friendly or just for a few tips on simple things to change, check out these super easy ideas that even though they’re simple, already helps change the world!

Watch Out For Labels

Look for eco-friendly labels on your next shopping trip.
Look for eco-friendly labels on your next shopping trip. Source: Litmus Life

What you buy shapes the world. Support brands that use eco-friendly materials, support local communities, and don’t test on animals. Look for labels that have special stamps, such as:

  • Biodegradable: materials that are biodegradable won't pollute the environment
  • Cruelty-free: brands with this label don’t cause or promote any unnecessary animal suffering
  • Organic: organic ingredients in makeup and skincare products have fewer or no chemicals in them, so they tend to be better for your body and your skin without causing rashes or breakouts

Next time you're shopping for laundry detergent, dish soap, or even beauty products, pay more attention to the label and know what you are bringing home.

Buy Food Locally

Buy food locally to purchase healthier options and support your local community.
Buy food locally to purchase healthier options and support your local community. Source: Creekside RV Resort

A quick search on Google or Yelp might surprise you with farms that are sometimes only five or ten minutes away, and you'll get fresh, local fruits, vegetables, organic wine, eggs, and even honey (great for the immune system!) and your family will surely be eating really healthy that week. If you don’t have the time, then at least visit your local farmer’s market for a variety of locally grown foods, so you can support the local vendors and still have healthier (sometimes even chemical-free) options to nourish you and your family.

Want to learn how to produce your own organic-free veggies? Check out How to Start Your Own Organic Garden in 8 Simple Steps

Invest in a Water Filter

Invest in a water filter and avoid purchasing disposable water bottles.
Invest in a water filter and avoid purchasing disposable water bottles. Source: Grist

Proper hydration is key to a healthy body, but skip plastic bottles. Instead of buying uncountable disposable water bottles that will end up in the ocean and hurt marine life, install a water filter at home to always have fresh, drinkable water. This way, water will not come at the expense of the environment anymore and it will even save you money in the long run. Invest in a good water bottle (BPA-free if possible) and always carry it with you.

Ditch The Plastic Bags

Reusable plastic bags is an amazing and easy eco-friendly choice.
Opting for reusable plastic bags is an amazing and easy eco-friendly choice. Source: Duke

Although it may seem convenient to grab a plastic bag at the cash register, the habit is actually really wasteful and those bags end up in the ocean, causing harm to marine life. Instead, bring your own reusable bags on your next shopping trip, and keep some in the car at all times. This way when you have an unexpected trip to the grocery store, you can carry the bags with you and use them instead of plastic bags that will just keep piling up.

Benefit From The Rain

Save water from the rain and reuse it around the house.
Save water from the rain and use it around the house. Source: Gardening Know How

Why not take advantage of the rain? Keep extra buckets in the garage and catch some rain water from time to time, so you can use it to water the plants and wash the car and the exterior of the house. Those buckets can be transferred to gallons or just covered with a lid to prevent any mosquito intruders. You’ll save on the bills and help the earth in ways you can’t even imagine.

Have Your Mug At Hand

Save tons of plastic cups by bringing your own travel mug to work.
Save tons of plastic cups by bringing your own travel mug to work. Source: Pinterest

Did you know that the average American office worker uses about 500 disposable cups per year? You can make a huge difference if you carry your own travel cup, reducing the amount of waste drastically. It’s good to also have a separate one for water, so that you can always use the same one, without needing to get a new plastic cup everyday. Bonus tip: Some coffee shops (including Starbucks) provide discounts for those that bring their own cup.

Shop Smart

Make lists and plan ahead to save money and avoid wastage.
Make lists and plan ahead to save money and avoid wastage. Source: Turbotax

Hitting the supermarket while hungry is a big no-no, since we always bring many unnecessary food options home. But if you plan ahead and make smart shopping lists, you’ll avoid impulse buys and loading up the cart with items you’ll just end up throwing away. Plan a week’s meal in advance, writing down the ingredients needed on a list and stick to it during your next trip to the store.

Bulk Up

Buy in bulk quantities to minimize plastic packages.
Buy in bulk quantities to minimize plastic packages. Source: Venture Beat

One big bag of rice uses less plastic than five smaller ones, so consider purchasing bulk quantities of food. Store them properly and be careful with expiration dates. Bulk quantities will not only waste less plastic and packaging, but they also tend to be cheaper in comparison, saving you money. Pasta, rice, cereal, beans, and nuts are good bets.

Clean Safely

Choose non-toxic cleaning products to minimize pollution.
Choose non-toxic cleaning products to minimize pollution. Source:  Pinterest

A freshly washed kitchen may be satisfying, but beware of common household cleaning products that may be harming the environment as well as your health. Next time you go shopping, look for non-toxic cleaning products that work just as well as the chemical-filled ones, and maybe do some research to find more eco-friendly agents.

Re-Use

Adopt the eco-friendly habit of purchasing used goods and try to fix broken things.
Adopt the eco-friendly habit of purchasing used goods and try to fix broken things. Source: Pinterest

Of course there are some things that it’s best to buy new, but there are many times where purchasing a used product is best to save money and the planet. Buying used goods means you’ll be saving water and energy (used to create and transport new products) and reduce your carbon footprint.

Additionally, consider trying to repair your broken appliances and items before purchasing a new one. Stop labelling newer as better and make more eco-friendly choices that will not only help you, but also help the whole world.

It’s easy to help save the planet with just a few small changes to your habits and routines. What do you think of these ideas? Let us know on our Facebook Page or in the comments below, we love to hear your opinion!

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