Protecting the planet has become a priority for thousands across the globe, but living a more eco-friendly life is easier said than done. It can be hard to know where to start when it comes to being green, but luckily there are lots of easy ways to get started. You don’t have to completely transform the way you live, but over time you might not recognise your day-to-day habits because of all the little changes you’ve been making. If you want to care for the planet without breaking the bank, take a look at these top tips.
Save energy
The cost of leaving appliances on standby isn’t just a financial one. The more energy you use, the more the planet suffers. While we need energy to live our daily lives, leaving appliances running when you’re not using them is just a waste. Make sure you switch off your TV and computer when you know you won’t be coming back to them for a while. Another way you can save energy is by switching off the lights when you leave the room and taking shorter showers. All these things can make a huge difference over time and you’ll be saving money as well as the environment.
Reduce plastic waste
Buying a bottle of water every day will mean you throw away 365 each year, so why not bring your water from home in a reusable water bottle? You can get all kinds of bottles these days, from ones with colourful patterns to those that keep your water cold all day. But if you’re more of a coffee drinker, opt for a keep cup and get it refilled each morning at your favourite café. You could also try to buy loose fruits and vegetables more often when you’re out rather than those wrapped in plastic.
Skip Christmas cards
While paper is biodegradable, it does result in an awful lot of trees being chopped down every day. The Christmas period also involves a lot of waste, especially when a lot of cards get recycled or thrown away straight after the festive season. Find other ways of showing your loved ones you care, whether that’s through e-cards or by making them a homemade gift that they can actually use over and over again.
Buy fewer clothes
Think about how many clothes you actually need and how many you throw away after only wearing them a few times. It can be fun to buy clothes, but fast fashion is a real problem and it’s ruining the planet. Next time you’re out shopping, try to buy good quality pieces that you know will last for years to come rather than cheap fashionable garments that you won’t even like in the next few months. Really think about what you need and, if you already have five jumpers at home, number six probably won’t make you much happier than you already are.
Being green is a very personal thing and you won’t be able to do it perfectly, but it’s the small steps that you take that really count.