So many people want to know the secrets of living an eco-friendly lifestyle. With its increasing popularity, you probably do too. People are starting to realize that they need to protect our planet and are looking for ways to do this. So if you’re looking for ways to make your life a little greener, you’re in the right place! This blog post will discuss simple secrets to living an eco-friendly lifestyle and ways to implement them into your life. So please keep reading for tips on how you can reduce your carbon footprint and help preserve our planet! Living an eco-friendly lifestyle is not as hard as some of us make it out to be. The main secret is in their simplicity. By making small, positive changes in our daily habits, tomorrow can be better for you and our world.
NO SINGLE ANSWER TO THIS SECRET
Is there one small change you can make? Unfortunately, there is no single answer.
So, what is at least one thing we can do as individuals to provide a safer environmental future for future generations? Only you have the answer to this, my friend. You see that one thing is not the same for everyone. Just like we were all made unique, our contributions to a better tomorrow are also different. But, I promise you that as long as you strive for better and do better as you learn better, you can’t lose. We can all win by whatever positive changes you choose to make today.
THE SECRETS TO LIVING AN ECO-FRIENDLY LIFESTYLE
The secrets lie in our habits and the positive changes we make in them. So, the secret behind living a more eco-friendly lifestyle is being mindful of your choices today: make a choice, and stick with it. Then, make this change choice a new habit by doing it today and again tomorrow. Do it consciously every day, until one day – it becomes automatic. Habits, once repeated enough, engrain themselves into our sub-conscience.
So what is the secret to living an eco-friendly lifestyle?
Here is the secret: do just one thing today. And tomorrow, do that one thing again—day after day, just one thing until it becomes second nature. Then, before you know it, that one thing is now a HABIT.
You might be wondering what changes you should make. While only you will know the best option to make on this journey, we have many suggestions to offer.
SECRETS TO ECO-LIFESTYLE OPTION ONE: REDUCE YOUR WASTE
One of the best ways to live an eco-friendly lifestyle is to reduce waste. You can do so by recycling and composting as much as possible. Make sure you have a recycle bin and a compost bin in your home and use them religiously! If everyone did their part to recycle and compost, it would make a huge impact.
If you do not have a local pick-up for recycling, google the nearest recycling center for drop-off. You might be surprised how easy it could be to make a drop once a week or month.
If you are ready to have a compost bin, many resources help you get started. And don’t be afraid of bugs your container appears to get invaded, many bugs that we might typically perceive as unwanted can be beneficial for our compost piles. For example, while not needed to have a healthy compost, larvae have many valuable characteristics. To learn more, here is a great, in-depth article: Maggots in Compost. If you do not have a yard to manage your compost bin from your kitchen, google the closest community garden for a donation.
CHOICE: STOP USING STYROFOAM
Did you know that styrofoam takes 500 years to decompose? I was SHOCKED when I learned this. Before I learned this fact, I didn’t think twice about getting my food to go from local restaurants. Not to mention how many styrofoam coffee cups I used in my twenties. But now I know better, so I do better.
First, be mindful of take-out. Most restaurants still pack to-go food and leftovers in Styrofoam containers. Better yet, shop at a local farmer’s market this weekend and cook at home.
There is progress to share here, though. Boca Raton, FL, recently banned ALL Styrofoam products beginning January 21, 2022. A brilliant step in the right direction.
SECRETS TO ECO-LIFESTYLE OPTION TWO: REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL EMISSIONS
Another great way to reduce your environmental impact is by driving less. Try carpooling, taking public transportation, biking, or walking when possible. Not only will this help reduce your carbon footprint, but it will also save you money! If carpooling is not an option, minimize the number of trips you take in your vehicle by consolidating errands. Or take a break from driving.
CHOICE: TAKE A DAY OFF
Choose one day not to drive. Taking a day off from using your car will save on gas and lessen the number of carbon emissions your vehicle releases into the atmosphere. Every gallon of fuel burns approximately 8,887 grams of CO2/gallon, and every mile driven emits, on average, about 404 grams of CO2, equating to around 4.6 metric tons per year (assuming 11,500 miles caused).
Air pollution is linked to more than 9 million deaths. If we drive less, we can do our part to reduce the number of carbon emissions in our air. Less pollution will not only help the people living with asthma the world breathe better but also give the environment a better chance at healing itself.
SECRETS TO ECO-LIFESTYLE OPTION THREE: REUSE
Single-use plastics are an increasing menace when it comes to waste. Our landfills are consuming more space than ever before. The average American produces about 3.5 pounds of garbage a year. If we were to collect this trash into one area for the USA, we would need 1,000 acres of land. The waste, once compacted, would then stand 400 feet high (as tall as a 40-story building)—one thousand acres of land, 400 feet high, for just one year. Considering how much it takes most of our trash to decompose, our landfills will be centuries longer than you and I.
For example, it takes 500 years for one disposable diaper to decompose, and for one plastic bottle, 450 years. Plastic bags are another primary culprit. Think about the shopping and groceries bags handed to us at the stores. One bag takes up to 100 years to decompose. When we choose to reuse, we all win. Grab some reusable bags and a glass water bottle. Our choices have everlasting impacts.
CHOICE: REUSABLE BAGS
The last simple way to make a difference is to take reusable bags to the grocery store. Also, use smaller bags for bulk items, a bonus to purchase on this journey. They alleviate unnecessary single-use plastics and cartons when prepackaged by the store. Finally, be sure your reusable bags are washable, and remember to put them back into your car before your next trip to the store.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SECRETS TO LIVING AN ECO-FRIENDLY LIFESTYLE?
We love to hear good ideas. We are always looking to update our articles with clever hacks to make living an eco-friendly lifestyle easier. Email us at solutions@ecocratesofamerica.com.
WHAT’S NEXT ON YOUR ECO-LIFESTYLE JOURNEY?
We have put together a unique guide to the secret, with other habits you can begin today on your eco-friendly lifestyle journey. To get a copy of this guide, click here.Living an eco-friendly lifestyle can seem daunting, but it can make a big difference if everyone does their part. And it doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep it simple, and it will serve us all. Following some of these simple tips can help reduce your environmental impact and make a positive difference for the planet!
Are you looking for more options? Check out this blog post, 20 Sustainable Hacks to Use Less Energy.
If you want to learn some tips and tricks on making your home more sustainable, you might enjoy reading Five Steps To a Sustainable Laundry Room or 5 Steps To a Sustainable Kitchen.
Remember, while many selections may vie for your attention, only choose one thing today.
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For more ideas on living an eco-friendly lifestyle, visit our blog: ecocratesofamerica.com/blog.
If you enjoyed this, you would also enjoy reading this post on Redfin. I am honored to contribute to this post: 13 Tips for Green Apartment Living Directly From Experts – Redfin.
