Going green is certainly a lot more mainstream these days. But are you doing everything you can to live more eco-friendly and sustainable? While Earth Day is a great place to start, every day should be a chance to incorporate these 101 ways to go green in your lifestyle.
Back in the day, our Grandmothers just called it living. Or survival. They didn’t worry about all of the toxic burdens that we do today, because their lifestyle was already very green, sustainable, and minimalist. They hung their clothes out to dry. They walked. They used glass. They rationed and reused.
Over the years, humankind created great inventions which have improved our lifestyles, but some are at a huge cost to the livelihood of our planet.
These are some of my favorite ways to help you “go green” and live a more sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle. Do I do 100% of this 100 % of the time?
No.
I’m not perfect, and sometimes, convenience wins. There is no judgment here!
BUT… I do my best and also do my best to help and encourage others. The list here is a super, basic list. Many of the items have links to other blog articles and resources that you can learn more and dive deeper into the topic. Also, I created categories to make it easier for you to navigate:
- Eating
- Out & About
- Shopping
- In the Kitchen
- In the Bathroom
- Laundry
- In the Garden
- Around the House
- Make Your Home More Efficient
- It Just Makes Sense
- Share the Love
So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!
Eating
1. Purchase organic and Non-GMO when possible.
2. Eat more plant-based foods.
3. When fruit is on its last leg, make popsicles.
4. … or smoothies.
5. Plan your meals.
6. Participate in a “Meatless Monday.”
7. Use the ends and stems of your veggies for broth or pesto.
8. Plan one night dedicated to a “fridge blast” and eat all of the leftovers.
9. Batch cook on Sunday to use the oven once for many meals.
10. Use an Instant Pot or Crockpot to cook meals instead of the oven.
11. Reuse home-use water to water the plants inside or out.
12. Learn to can your own pickles from your cucumber harvest.
13. Learn how to harvest, dry, and preserve fresh herbs.
14. Purchase wild-caught seafood.
Out & About
1. Shop local (organic) produce at your farmer’s market.
2. Join a CSA for local produce.
3. Ditch plastic bags for all shopping and use tote bags instead.
4. Take your own mug to Starbucks.
5. Carpool, ride your bike or take public transportation.
6. Plan your trips to minimize the back and forth.
7. Pack your lunch in a real lunch box.
Shopping
1. Shop at thrift stores, consignment stores, yard sales, and eBay for gently used and like-new items.
2. Buy used books or eBooks.
3. Purchase items in bulk (like at Costco or Sams Club).
4. Support companies with ethical practices.
5. Host a clothing swap with your besties instead of buying new.
6. Purchase clothing made from organic fabrics and sustainable practices.
In the Kitchen
1. Switch from plastic water bottles to glass bottles.
2. Ditch plastic straws, or swap to metal or silicone.
3. Use all glass containers for food storage.
4. Recycle.
5. Make your own cleaning supplies.
6. Replace plastic sandwich bags with reusable bags and wraps.
7. Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones.
8. Use a cloth or microfiber towels instead of paper towels.
9. Swap parchment paper or silicone mats for aluminum foil.
10. Polish your silver the non-toxic way with an everyday item in your home.
11. Switch to non-toxic cookware.
In the Bathroom
1. Make your own DIY soap.
2. Use a bamboo toothbrush instead of a plastic one.
3. Use beauty products with clean ingredients.
4. Switch to reusable period panties or menstrual cups.
5. Turn the water off when you brush your teeth.
6. Cut makeup sponges in half.
7. Use fabric shower curtains instead of vinyl.
8. Use a low flow showerhead.
9. Use homemade Poop-Pourri instead of toxic plug-ins or sprays.
Laundry
1. Hang your clothes out to dry instead of using the dryer.
2. Use wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets.
3. Wash full loads of laundry.
4. Clean your dryer vent once a month.
5. Make your own laundry detergent or purchase an all-natural and eco-friendly detergent.
6. Wash the majority or all of your laundry in cold water.
7. Reuse dryer lint as a fire starter.
In the Garden
2. Plant your own herb garden.
3. Compost.
4. Pour your tea and coffee into your compost pile or garden.
5. Join a community garden if you don’t have room in your backyard.
6. Make your own all-natural weed killer. Or just pull them up the old-fashioned way.
7. Make ladybug and bug habitats for your garden.
8. Make bee skeps to encourage your bees to make their home in your garden.
9. Plant flowers to encourage the pollinators.
10. Use a rain barrel to collect rain to water your garden.
11. Plant a tree.
12. Learn to make healing ointments from weeds.
13. Make your own bug spray from all-natural ingredients.
14. Reuse containers to start seeds for your garden.
Around the House
1. Repair broken items instead of purchasing new.
2. Leave your shoes at the door instead of wearing them inside.
3. Make the effort to properly recycle electronics and batteries.
4. Switch to eco-friendly LED light bulbs.
5. Make your own DIY candles.
6. Purchase an organic mattress instead of a traditional mattress that off-gasses.
7. Ensure your pets are eco-friendly and if you have a fish they can enjoy this fun fish eco-habitat.
8. Find fun ways to upcycle everyday trash.
9. Use sustainable flooring in your home.
10. Learn how to use baking soda for pretty much everything in life.
11. Or use vinegar to handle everything else!
12. Get organized in your home so you know exactly what you have and what you need.
Make Your Home More Efficient
1. Unplug items that are not being used.
2. Invest in a “smart” thermostat like Nest.
3. Change your home’s air filters on a regular basis.
4. Use fans in the home to lessen the burden on the air conditioner.
5. Invest in a whole-home water filter.
6. Put your wifi on a timer to turn off at night.
7. Use blankets in the winter or wear a sweater to cut the heat back a degree.
8. Open your windows to let light in your home.
It Just Makes Sense
1. Go digital for all of your music and videos.
2. Switch to online billing.
3. Work from home one day a week if your company allows it.
4. Ask yourself if your grandmother would do it or buy it.
5. At Christmas, reuse an artificial tree instead of purchasing a live one.
6. Drive the speed limit.
7. Cancel magazine subscriptions and read the articles online.
Share the Love
1. Participate in a recycling program for printer cartridges.
2. Donate magazines to your local hospital or doctors office.
3. Donate old towels or sheets to the animal shelter or vet’s office.
4. Volunteer for cleanup at your local park, lake, river, or beach.
5. Participate in your community’s sustainable living events.
6. Buy gifts that are eco-friendly and sustainable (or support your loved one’s favorite charity).
7. Write down all of your eco-friendly ideas in a gratitude journal.
And the best for last…
Spread the word! Pin this post or share on Facebook with your friends.
Are you Inspired?
Love, hugs, and how are you hugging the planet today?
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