Every day more and more people are making the choice to live a greener lifestyle, changing their daily habits to be more at peace with the earth and the environment around them. Though at first, it may seem overwhelming there are a lot of little steps you can take to successfully embark on this new way of living. When we are playing our part in being more environmentally-friendly we can work to reduce waste, pollution and to help create a better world for future generations.
Making a choice that lessens our global footprint is important and a positive way to live. Just remember that not all the changes you make need to be big. The many small good green habits you can adopt will add up. Think about the alterations you can make in your own life like switching to a Kitsilano dry cleaning alternative or using reusable grocery bags or supporting your local farmer’s markets. If you need some more green ideas you can find them listed below.
- Buy Local
When we as consumers make the choice to buy local as often as we can not only are we supporting farmers and other food producers in our region we are also making an environmentally friendlier choice. Also, it is good to remember you will be purchasing products that are fresher and less likely to be contaminated or grown in situations that exploit workers. You are also helping cut down on fuel consumption. There are many benefits to buying local.
- Ride or Walk
As cities open up and create more bike and walking paths it is getting easier to make the green decision to use vehicles less and instead use more environmentally friendly options such as cycling and walking. Also, deciding to live in areas that are more walkable making you less car-dependent can have a positive impact on the surrounding environment. If commuting is necessary consider carpooling or using transit to get to your place of work or do your errands.
- Choose a Dry Cleaning Alternative
Traditional dry cleaning companies typically use toxic chemicals to meet your dry cleaning needs. As shifting to natural non-toxic cleaners has become more common it is good to also consider how your current dry cleaner is dealing with your clothes, bedding or wedding and grad dresses. There are many business that have gone green and use only solvent-free biodegradable detergents and this is definitely more beneficial to the environment and the community.
- Cut Down on Plastics
Plastics products have become quite problematic and there is a big push to start ridding our communities of single-use plastic items. Choosing to be proactive means having reusable grocery bags or containers, not using plastic straws and taking your own cup into the coffee shop. Do not buy bottled water and purchase an aluminium or glass water bottle for everyday use. Making these small changes can help to reduce the amount of plastic headed for landfills.
- Consume Less
In today’s climate of fast-fashion, cheap plastic toys and excessive use of packaging, consuming less is always beneficial in the effort to create a greener community. Really consider what you need and if buying new is always a necessity. Garage sales are always fun and second-hand or consignment stores are other great options not only for clothing but also furniture, appliances and sporting gear. It may seem more convenient to buy new but it is not beneficial to the planet.
- Opt for Green Cleaning Products
It is becoming common knowledge in many circles that the products we choose to clean our homes with are filled with toxic chemicals which are known carcinogens that damage not only the environment but also our bodies. Most grocery and home stores carry cleaner, biodegradable choices but there is also an option of making your own. It is actually much easier than one might think and you usually only need a handful of ingredients. Save some money and breath easier.
- Recycle Batteries and Electronics
Most people recycle paper, tin and plastic products without much thought these days but still sometimes throw batteries or old electronics into the garbage. With some research you can find establishments that take batteries and any old cell phones or computers you may want to get rid of. Used batteries will leach into the soil if sent to the landfill and electronics contain mercury and other toxins that will also cause environmental damage and problems.