Did you know the average American throws away approximately 1,600 pounds (771 kilograms) of trash per year? That’s an eye-opening figure, especially when you consider how much unnecessary consumer waste there is in our society. Here’s the really scary part – all that garbage adds up to about 20 percent of our country’s landfills, and it doesn’t seem like things are going to get any better unless everyone makes some effort to reduce waste. Here at UK Cleaners, we’re always looking for ways to minimize our environmental impact.
- Drive Less and Drive Smart
Drive less by combining trips and carpooling whenever possible.
Try biking or walking if your destination is close enough.
Drive smart by keeping your car well-tuned and tires properly inflated, which will improve mileage.
Idling wastes gas and pollutes the air. Turn off your engine when stopped for long periods of time If you’re in the market for a new car, choose one with good gas mileage ratings or consider an alternative fuel vehicle (like an electric or hybrid car) that uses less fuel and therefore emits fewer greenhouse gases.
- Buy Energy-Efficient Products
Buy Energy-Efficient Products – Switching out your products for more energy efficient ones will contribute towards lowering greenhouse gas emissions and preserving natural resources. Look for the ENERGY STAR label when shopping for electronics like televisions and computers.
- Save Water
Changing your habits and adjusting your lifestyle can help you become more environmentally friendly. To do your part to help the environment, try reducing waste by making a compost, recycling, and using filters to reduce water waste. Additionally, conserve energy by switching off lights in your home, carpooling instead of driving, and using rechargeable batteries for electronics. You should also try to avoid buying products made from endangered plants or animals.
4.Conserve Energy by Turning Off Lights and Using Natural Light During the Day
Turn Off Lights and Use Natural Light During the Day
Use Energy-Efficient Lightbulbs
Turn Off Appliances That Aren’t in Use
Buy Energy-Efficient Appliances
- Eat Less Meat and Dairy
If you care about your health and the environment, you should consider cutting out meat and dairy. Here’s why:
Environmental reasons:
The meat industry is extremely polluting — from raising livestock to processing meat, it produces an enormous amount of greenhouse gases. The United Nations estimates that animal agriculture generates more greenhouse gas emissions than all the world’s cars, planes, trains, and ships combined.
In addition to emitting tremendous amounts of methane — which leads to climate change — animal waste causes water pollution by overloading rivers with nitrogen and phosphorus. The manure also seeps into groundwater, contaminating it with bacteria, antibiotics, chemicals, and hormones.
Health reasons:
In addition to its environmental impacts, animal protein is generally less healthy than plant protein. For example, the W.H.O has linked processed meats (such as hot dogs) to cancer. Meat contains saturated fat and cholesterol, whereas no known plant food contains cholesterol and very few contain large amounts of saturated fat. And while certain plants contain omega-3 fatty acids (which are good for you), these are in a form that your body can’t use easily.
- Shop Locally
When you buy locally, you’re helping to reduce the carbon emissions that come with shipping food around the country and the world.
- Recycle or Donate Unwanted Items Instead of Throwing Them Away
Look for ways to give away your used goods instead of throwing them away. For example, some companies and organizations have donation bins in their parking lots, allowing you to easily drop off unwanted clothes or household goods. Or you might consider donating your old car or other vehicle to a local charity.
- Make Your Home Green by Controlling Your Thermostat
This is one of the easiest ways to reduce your energy usage, which will directly impact your carbon footprint. If you’re going to be out of the house for more than a few hours, turn down your thermostat to save energy.
- Reduce Waste by Buying Reusable Items Instead of Disposable Ones
Disposable plates and cutlery, paper towels and napkins, juice boxes, water bottles, plastic bags… for many people these things are part of everyday life. But this convenience comes at a high price: every year, Americans throw out 25 billion Styrofoam coffee cups and enough plastic forks to circle the Earth 436 times! These things are not only bad for the environment — they also cost money. So instead of buying disposable products, buy reusable items instead. For example, use real plates and cutlery instead of paper ones; wash them by hand or use a dishwasher. Bring your own water bottle with you when you go to work or school. Keep a roll of cloth napkins in the kitchen and use them instead of paper napkins or paper towels.
- Replace Paper Towels with Washable Rags or Air-Dry Your Dishes to Save Trees and Money
Paper towels are wasteful and expensive, and they don’t even work that well. Instead of using them, try using washable rags instead. You can even make your own rags out of old T-shirts cut into squares. If you want something a little faster, just let your dishes air dry on a drying rack — they’ll be dry in no time!
- Plant Trees
Trees are a valuable renewable resource that provide humans and wildlife with many important environmental benefits. Trees help clean the air we breathe by absorbing pollutants, improve soil quality, conserve energy, save water, protect against flooding and more. Yet, we continue to cut down our forests at a rapid pace.
It’s hard to say which everyday changes will have the biggest cumulative effect. The good news is, you can make changes in multiple categories that can have a positive impact on the environment in your everyday life. Start by taking small steps every week, and you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to become an environmentally friendly citizen of the world.
