Tips to Green Your Home
Improving the environment is more important than ever, but where do we start? There may be hundreds of how-to-guides on healthy, earth-friendly diets, sustainable shopping, and gardening startup ideas, but it can be overwhelming to put it all together. From saving energy to making better food choices, here is our guide to living a cleaner, greener life.
Eco-Audit.
Perform an eco-audit. Take some time to locate all the sources of energy in your home and write down what you find—light bulbs, faucets, appliances, and yes, even your trash!
Update.
Update what you can. Did you know that LED light bulbs can last over five times as long as any other bulb on the market? When it comes to appliances, Green America has a buying guide for appliances here. You don’t have to throw out what you have, but be mindful of energy-efficient alternatives when it’s time to upgrade.
Recycle.
Take advantage of community recycling programs. Depending on your neighborhood, many local schools have paper and cardboard recycling programs.
Make it Fun.
Get the kids involved. Planting a garden at home can be a fun, family-friendly activity during the summer months. Some school districts even have extra-curricular gardening programs. Sign up!
Choose Organic.
It’s not just about getting rid of what you don’t need, but sourcing what you do need, the right way! You don’t have to give up your beauty routine, just find companies that source organic ingredients. Here are some of our favorites.
Say No to Plastic.
Think about your daily routine. Do you find yourself with mountains of plastic bottles on trash day? If you don’t know where to start, look for alternatives to single-use plastics: keep reusable bags in your car trunk, and use them to pack up your groceries at the market—or farmers’ market—instead of plastic. Invest in a reusable stainless steel water bottle, like Kleen Kanteen or EcoVessel, fill it in the morning, and refill it during the day.
Keep Track.
Create a daily journal of your usual recycling/waste habits. You may be surprised at discovering obvious ways to reduce waste.
Don't Forget Your Car.
Car Idling. Your personal vehicle car is of your home too! How often do you check your phone while your car is idling in the driveway? Do you catch yourself peeking at social with the car still on? Car idling can use up an extensive amount of fuel, and add unnecessary emissions to the atmosphere.
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