We’re all aware of how serious
climate change is, so if you’re wanting to be more environmentally
friendly, you need to know that it’s not just about reducing your
plastic bag usage. If you’re serious about making a difference and
doing your bit to help save the planet, there are many other small
but subtle changes that you can make to your lifestyle to help
conserve natural resources, protect wildlife, reduce pollution, as
well as slow down the rate of climate change.

While you may not think that you alone
will make much of an impact, if we all pull together and make minor
changes to the way we live, we could end up seeing huge improvements
in the world we live in. Whether that’s by making changes at home,
in the workplace, or getting from A to B, here are 25 green energy
tips that can help reduce your carbon footprint and make you
eco-friendlier.

Recycle

There are tons of benefits that go hand
in hand with recycling. Not only can recycling reduce pollution and
save energy, but you will be conserving natural resources too.
Recycling is all about sorting out and cleaning up trash to produce
secondary materials such as metal, plastic, and glass which can be
reused in products. As recycling saves energy, it also decreases
greenhouse gas emissions which can help when it comes to tackling
climate change. You may be surprised to learn that pretty much
anything can be recycled, so make sure to go around your home and
sort through any clutter which may be better off recycled, rather
than collecting dust or being sent to landfill.

Avoid Plastic Bags

When you are out grocery shopping, it
can be all too easy to pick up a couple of plastic bags and throw
them in the cupboard without giving them a second thought. However,
once you’re aware of how much of a danger plastic bags are to the
environment, you will soon think twice. Plastic bags pose all sorts
of ecological problems; not only can they take hundreds of years to
decompose, but they pose a huge threat to wildlife. Many animals
mistake plastic bags for food and end up getting entangled in them
and suffocating. If you would like to reduce your plastic bag usage,
your first port of call should be to decline them when purchasing
items. Make sure that you bring your own bags with you when shopping
which can be reused time and time again.

Buy Only What You Will Use

If you’re known for splashing the
cash, you may have piles upon piles of junk around your home. Many
Americans are known for being huge consumers of household products,
furnishings, foods, as well as cars. With many of us purchasing more
than we actually need, the excessive personal consumption of products
results in higher direct and indirect costs, which can have a
negative impact on the environment. If you would like to become
eco-friendlier, it’s advised to avoid impulse purchases and instead
make a realistic assessment of what you need (rather than want)
before spending money. When you do have to purchase items, why not
seek out durable alternatives that use a smaller amount of packaging?

Buy Second Hand

There are many Americans who like to
buy everything brand new. If you’re one of these people, you may
not realize the negative impact you’re having on the environment.
Instead of spending a ton of cash on new things, why not go down the
secondhand route instead? There are lots of websites that you can use
such as Craigslist or eBay to purchase used items that are as good as
new, not to forget a fraction of the original price. Giving household
items a second lease of life can also cut its carbon footprint by up
to 50%!

Donate Used Goods

If you have lots of clutter lurking
around the home, you may find it easier to throw unwanted items into
the garbage can, however, instead of sending unnecessary items to
landfill, why not donate used goods instead? Whether it’s clothing,
furniture, or appliances, there are many people out there who will
appreciate your items and give them a good home. As the saying goes,
one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, so donating to
organizations such as the Salvation Army, or going to your local
church will mean you’re doing your bit for charity, not to mention
helping to save the environment.

Purchase Items with Less Packaging

One of the main problems with waste
landfills is that they’re filled to the brim with consumer product
packaging. With containers and packaging making up the largest
portion of municipal waste at an alarming 78 million tons, it’s
advised to purchase products that use as little packaging as
possible. If you are struggling to avoid packaging, there are other
routes that you can go down, such as reusing containers, using bubble
wrap, or checking whether your local shipping service can use them.

Avoid Disposable Products

Paper and plastic plates, disposable
diapers, cheap plasticware, as well as other non-durable consumer
goods amount for up to 20% of the United States waste stream. One of
the greatest concerns are the greenhouse gas emissions that come from
these kinds of items. If you’re prone to purchasing disposable
products such as for camping trips, it’s best to switch to durable,
bargain-priced dishes, as well as cloth napkins and durable razors.

Don’t Buy Bottled Water

In 2017, Americans consumed over 13.7
billion gallons of bottled water. While America’s domestic drinking
water supplies are considered clean and safe to use, that doesn’t
stop millions of Americans choosing to purchase bottled water
instead. Even though there are many people across the country who are
taking a step in the right direction in terms of shunning sugary
drinks for water, it’s best to purchase a reusable water bottle,
rather than throwing away empty water bottles which only end up at
landfill. Plastic bottles can take over 450 years to fully decompose,
so if you want to make a difference to the world we live in, make
sure to stick to a reusable bottle, or use a glass when pouring water
from the faucet.

Upcycle

As a homeowner, you may not be aware of
the items around your property which still have life in them. Instead
of throwing things in the trashcan, why not repurpose them instead?
Heading onto the internet and doing your research can expose you to
tons of crafty ideas that you can use for reusing waste materials.
Whether it’s by turning a plastic bottle into a planter, or a wine
bottle cork into a bath mat, the possibilities are endless! If you’re
a DIY enthusiast, having a project to work on can keep you occupied
and give you a sense of accomplishment.

Upgrade to a Green Computer

In the modern world we live in,
computers are regarded as a necessity, rather than a luxury. Whether
it’s for browsing social media to see what your friends are doing,
or using it for work purposes, there will come a time when your
current model has run its course. When you’re ready to purchase a
new computer, make sure that you buy one that has an Energy Star
label on it, as doing so will save you up to 65% in energy use.
Better still, you may want to consider purchasing a laptop which uses
far less energy than a desktop computer.

Invest in a Clothes Line

If you have a dryer in your home, you
may not realize how much energy you’re consuming by running it. If
you have others in your household, the amount of times the dryer is
used can soon add up and cause a rise in your energy bills. Instead
of relying on machinery to dry your clothes, why not invest in a
clothes line? There are tons of retail outlets that sell racks and
well-designed accessories which can be perfect for indoor drying. If
you can’t say goodbye to your dryer just yet, make sure that you
pick the setting that provides an automatic shut off when your
clothes are done.

Use Energy Efficient Lightbulbs

The lightbulbs you use throughout your
home can have a big impact on how much you’re shelling out for your
energy each month. Instead of sticking with traditional light bulbs,
why not make the switch to LED lights? Not only do they use 75% less
energy to provide the same amount of light, they last up to 25 times
longer, meaning you won’t have to bring out the ladder to change
them as often. If you don’t know where to start when it comes to
eco-friendly living, an easy change you can make is by switching to
energy efficient lightbulbs.

Turn Off Lights

We’ve all been guilty of leaving a
light on. Whether you’re rushing out the door for work, or in a
daze before you hit the hay, you may not be aware of how much energy
you could save if you switch off every light that’s not in use. By
turning off unnecessary lights such as in an empty room, you will not
only save some cash on your energy bill but lower your carbon
footprint too. If you live with friends or family, make sure that
they follow your lead and remember to switch off lights too.

Unplug Equipment

Even when they’re not in use, there
are lots of electronic devices such as TVs, microwaves, and computers
that use standby power to save warm up time. Before you head out the
door or go to bed, make sure that you go around your home to make
sure that any electrical items are unplugged. Once you get yourself
into the habit of checking, you may notice a decrease in your energy
bills at the end of the month.

Change Your Cooling and Heating System

With heating and cooling accounting for
nearly half of household energy consumption, it may be time to change
your HVAC system. There are companies like Semper Solaris who provide
brand new air conditioning and heating systems that are good for the
environment too. If you need an AC repair or AC tune up, you can
contact these
AC professionals who will come out and fix your system. Semper
Solaris believe in preserving the environment through clean energy,
meaning you will be using a company who are known for being energy
efficient. Also, purchasing an advanced HVAC will consume less
energy, and run on clean technology.

Eat Healthier

You may not realize it, but what you
eat can also harm the planet. If your current diet predominately
consists of meat and dairy, it may be time to limit your consumption.
Reducing the amount of meat and dairy in your diet can help reduce
your carbon footprint. This is because animal-derived food production
has a much larger greenhouse gas output when compared to grain and
vegetable production. While no one is saying you have to ban such
foods outright, being aware of your daily consumption and trying your
best to limit your intake can have a positive impact on the
environment. For example, if you eat chicken instead of beef for 12
months, you will cut your carbon dioxide emissions by 882 pounds.

Go Organic

For those who are serious about making
changes to their diet, why not take the plunge and go
organic? While growing your own organic food is labor intensive,
it requires 30%-50% less energy to produce. If you would prefer to
purchase organic food rather than growing your own, there are still
tons of benefits that you can receive. Not only does organic produce
contain fewer pesticides, organic farming is far better for the
environment.

Compost Food Waste

If you’re an avid cook, you may end
up with lots of leftover food that goes straight into the trashcan.
However, instead of throwing out your food, why not compost it? When
you take into account that close to 30% of the waste stream is made
up of food and yard waste, the last thing you want to do is add to
that statistic. Instead, composting can not only save you disposal
costs, but it also creates a valuable soil amendment. You don’t
even need to have technology at your disposal or tons of land to
compost yard waste and household food. To compost effectively, make
sure that you follow a simple formula and ensure that any meats,
dairy products, or bones are out of the mix.

Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

We all like to take great pride in our
homes, so if you’re left in charge of the household chores, it may
be time to ditch the well-known branded cleaning products and go for
something eco-friendlier. There are tons of cleaning products that
are filled with harmful chemicals that aren’t very environmentally
friendly to create or dispose of. Instead of using these products to
clean your home, you may wish to switch to green cleaning products
that use more organic and natural methods of cleaning. There are lots
of items lurking in your kitchen cupboards that can be great for
cleaning, such as vinegar and bicarbonate
of soda.

Shop Local

Whether it’s purchasing a new outfit,
or going grocery shopping, the closer to home these sorts of products
are made and purchased, the less carbon is created with their
transportation. What’s more, purchasing locally will mean you’re
supporting your local economy. Instead of traveling countless miles
for your needs, buying locally will also mean you don’t have to go
out in your car and spread fumes into the environment.

Save Water

The amount of water you use in your
home could be another reason why your utility bills at the end of the
month are so high. If you live with others especially, a couple of
extra minutes in the shower can make a big difference in how much
you’re paying out. Using less water not only saves energy and
infrastructure costs, it also means less water is lost to
contamination which helps make sure there’s an adequate amount of
clean water for future usage. There are lots of things that you can
do in your own home to conserve outdoor water too, such as keeping
your grass a bit longer, washing your car on the lawn, as well as
mulching your garden. When it comes to the inside of your property,
make sure to keep the water off when you’re not actively using it,
such as when you’re washing the dishes, or brushing your teeth.

Purchase a Cleaner Car

Cars in the US produce around 1/3 of
all air pollution, with the contaminants emitted being more of a
health threat than those from smokestacks. If you use your car to get
to work or to run daily errands, the amount of fuel your vehicle is
guzzling can be mind-blowing. If you’re ready to say goodbye to
your vehicle and want to make a change, why not switch to an electric
car? Not only are they clean, quiet, and relaxing to drive, they’re
also inexpensive to run. If you aren’t ready to invest in an
electric vehicle, purchasing a fuel-efficient car can reduce air
pollution and reduce your carbon footprint.

Drive Efficiently

If you’re late for a business
meeting, or you’re known for speeding, fast accelerations will use
up far more fuel, with abrupt stops wasting tons of energy too.
Changing how you drive and being mindful of other motorists can lower
your gas mileage by up to 5% in the city and 33% on the highway. The
optimal highway speed for gas mileage currently stands at 50mph;
after that, the gas mileage will drop very quickly. It’s best not
to idle your car, especially if you are running the air conditioner.
In the winter months, make sure to only give your vehicle 30 seconds
to warm up. Carrying out regular maintenance on your car will help it
run at its top efficiency, helping to avoid any serious maintenance
issues.

Involve the Workplace

Whether you work for an organization,
or run your own company, there are lots of changes that you can make
in the workplace for the better. Whether it’s by starting your own
workplace environmental committee that you and your employees can use
to help lower your carbon footprint and energy consumption, or
reducing the amount of paper you use, every little helps.
Communication is key in the workplace, so it’s important that you
address your worries and concerns with your colleagues or employees.
For example, designating tasks such as making sure someone in the
office is in charge of turning off lights and electronics before
leaving can help make your workplace more environmentally friendly.

Volunteer

If you have a spare couple of hours
each week and want to put them to good use, you may want to consider
volunteering for an environmental organization. Many of these groups
have volunteer programs that you can sign up to which will mean
you’re doing your bit to help save the planet. Whether this is by
picking up litter, stuffing envelopes, clearing trails, or
fund-raising, using your time effectively and efficiently will give
you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. There are tons of
other benefits that you can gain from volunteering too, such as
getting to meet people from all walks of life, as well as educating
those not in the know of the seriousness of climate change and what
they can do to lower their energy consumption.

Whether you’re wanting to cut back on
your energy consumption and save money on your utility bills each
month, or you want to do your bit to protect the environment for the
future generations to come, making any kind of change will reduce
your carbon footprint and help you lead a more eco-friendly way of
life. With so many toxic products and pollution surrounding us every
day, being aware of the problems we face and trying to make a
difference will help when it comes to saving the environment.