Sometimes, hearing the phrase “going green” can go right over our heads. It sounds like a buzzword, or something marketers use to get us to recycle more. While there isn’t anything wrong with that, this phrase can be easily ignored nowadays because it’s become so overused.
When we think about “going green,” we often think it requires some big, grand gesture. Actually, that isn’t the case at all.
Of course, those big gestures are important. If people didn’t reduce their carbon footprint on a global scale, our world could be in dire shape. But, there are plenty of little things you can do on a daily basis to go green, and do your part to protect the environment.
These little things can make a big difference.
Replace Your Appliances
We’ve talked about the benefits of Energy Star appliances in previous blogs, but it can’t be repeated enough. Changing out the old appliances in your home for more energy-efficient ones will save you money, and will reduce energy waste. It’s a one-time investment that can have a big impact.
Think About Food Waste
America is notorious for being wasteful with food. If you take the time to really look at how much perfectly-edible food you throw away on a weekly basis, it might shock you.
Food costs energy to make, to package, to ship, etc. So, the less wasteful we are with food, the better. There are a couple of different ways to be more conscious of this. First, you could buy less food. This will end up being a bit of a guessing game for a while. But, you’ll eventually get used to it and have a better idea of how much food your family really needs each week, with minimal waste.
Second, stop throwing your food away! Make the most of your leftovers, and eat what you can for a day or two after it’s cooked.
Use Less Plastic
Not only does plastic cost energy to produce, but plastic waste is a serious issue. It’s contaminating landfills and oceans all across the world. There are plenty of ways to use less plastic, from buying a reusable water bottle to using canvas grocery bags when you go shopping.
Making little, everyday changes when it comes to your plastic use can lead to a big positive impact.
Speaking of which, you might think that simple, small solutions like the ones listed in this article won’t make a difference. It only takes one person, or one household, to become a trendsetter. One person can absolutely make a difference. But, one person can also encourage others to do the same.
The more people who make these small changes to their daily lives, the bigger the impact becomes. Imagine what would happen if the whole world cut down on plastic use, or started being more conscious about food use?
As the new year approaches, it’s the perfect time to take stock in some of the things you do each day and think about little changes you can make. The more of these changes you start to put into practice, the bigger your impact will be when it comes to “going green.”