As a family, year round we are doing our best for the environment and trying to reduce our carbon footprints. Every April, when Earth Day comes closer, I revisit all the things we are doing and see if there is anything else we can do. This year, I thought I would share with you, 5 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint.
If you already recycle, compost, don’t keep the tap running and use cold water in the laundry, you’re doing awesome! These 5 ways to reduce your carbon footprint that I’m sharing, also have to do with when you’re out of the house. They may seem to be a little bit of a pain at first, but once you get used to it, it’ll be second nature. And imagine, what you are doing to keep the earth more green!
5 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
1.Don’t Use Plastic Straws
Plastic Straws create a lot of garbage. Even worse, so many end up in the ocean, polluting it and being ingested by aquatic animals. Invest in some stainless steel, glass or even paper straws that are recyclable. I like to keep a couple in my purse and a couple in the car so if we ever decided to stop for a drink, we are prepared!
2.Reusable Shopping Bags
If you’re like me, you always have reusable bags, but too often you forget to take them when you are going shopping or you end of stopping unexpectedly to buy things and you don’t have any bags with you. Here are the solutions that work for me. Firstly, keep a bunch in your trunk, so that you always have them on hand. Secondly, buy a couple that fold up really small and keep them in your purse. That way, whenever you are asked, would you like a bag, you can say, “No thanks, I have one.”
3. Recycle
Yes, I’m sure everyone knows this, we’ve been hearing it forever, reduce, recycle, reuse. However, there may be somethings you didn’t even know you could recycle, for example, did you know the single pack yogurt containers can be recycled? Here’s a list of 30 items you may not have know you can recycle.
4. Reusable Drink Cups
Whether you’re a morning coffee person and you need your Starbucks run, or you’re about the fraps and slushies, imagine how many of these cups are being thrown away every day! We decided to invest in a some good, insulated coffee travel mugs and tumblers. In fact, one of my favourites is this one from PURE, that you can use for coffee, then stick in a straw and you can use it for your fave cold drink.
Some places even give you a discount for bringing your own cup. And if you’re always forgetting them at home, try these cups, that are lightweight, inexpensive and perfect to leave in the car’s console.
5. Meatless Monday
You’re probably wondering, how is Meatless Monday going to help me reduce my carbon footprint right? When you eat less meat, you can combat climate change and help the environment. And even doing that just one day a week, makes a difference. (This Chickpea Curry recipe is one of my favourites!) Here’s a great article with more info.
For more of my favourite products to help reduce our carbon footprint, visit my Amazon store.
If you like this post, you might also like:
10 Ways to Be a Greener Mom
Talking to Kids About Saving Water
Love all these simple tips and going that extra mile especially the straws and bag in your purse thing!