10 BRILLIANT WAYS TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT

1. Think twice before shopping

Avoid impulse buying at all costs.

If you think you need to buy something, first check if you already own something that has the same purpose.

Use what you have.

Use things up before buying the same item.

Instead of buying new glass jars, repurpose old jars from the food you eat.

Don’t buy this new hand cream when you already have three in your bathroom.

Do you need to purchase the newest phone when the one you have is perfectly fine?

When you become more intentional with what you buy, you quickly realize that there are actually many things you don’t even want to buy.

2. Buy things second-hand

When you need to buy something, whether that is clothes, books, or furniture, check if you can get it second-hand first.

That way, you are not creating a demand for new things to be produced, and natural resources are saved.

Buying preloved items will also reduce the number of things going to landfills, which is great!

There are numerous options for shopping second-hand.

You can check buy-and-sell websites that are available in your country: Craigslist in the US, Kijiji in Canada, Gumtree in the UK…

Search for Facebook groups that gather people selling stuff in your area.

Visit your local second-hand shop as well as yard sales that can be organized in your community. 

Read my article about why second-hand shopping can save the planet if you want to learn more!

3. Drive less

Leave your car at home when you need to go somewhere nearby.

Prefer walking or riding your bike.

It will be better for the environment, and you’ll save a lot of money on gas.

Driving less is also an excellent opportunity for you to do some exercise while walking or biking.

If it is not possible, hop on a train or a bus to take you where you need to go.

Carsharing may be an option as well.

For many people, it is impossible not to use cars when living in the countryside or far from the city.

Some places have bad transportation systems, so it is not realistic for everyone to do it.

Just try and drive less if you can.

This will prevent a lot of CO2 emissions from polluting the atmosphere. 

4. Reduce your plastic consumption

Plastic pollution has been a huge problem for years.

Everyone has seen pictures of birds trapped in plastic bags or sea turtles having a straw stuck in their nose.

This is heartbreaking!

Also, in another blog post, I explained why we should stay away from products made from oil.

We need to ditch disposable plastic products and avoid packaging at all costs!

Take reusable (organic) cotton bags to go shopping and run errands.

Buy package-free fruits and vegetables.

Swap your disposable straws for reusable ones or stop using them entirely.

My favorite swap is a stainless steel water bottle I’ve had for six years now, it is a game-changer!

We can all implement at least one habit that will help curb our plastic usage. 

Read more:

• 15 easy zero-waste swaps for beginners
• 19 zero-waste bathroom essentials
• The best eco-friendly alternatives to Ziploc bags

5. Eat less meat

Animal agriculture has huge environmental impacts on the planet.

Raising cattle implies deforesting significant portions of forests, which destroys biodiversity and accelerates habitat loss.

I am not saying that everyone should go vegan or vegetarian.

Just do your best and try implementing one meatless day during the week, this will have a massive impact in the long run.

But if you’ve been considering going vegan or vegetarian, that is amazing.

It is one of the best ways to help the environment!

6. Eat organic, seasonal, and locally grown food

This one is crucial if you want to reduce your environmental footprint.

Organic, seasonal, and local food is better for the environment, but also for your health.

Local and seasonal produce will travel shorter distances before ending on your plate.

As a result, your food is fresher, tastes better, and has more nutrients when you eat it.

Also, thanks to organic farming, fewer pesticides, and harmful chemicals are spread out into the environment, which results in healthier soil and less pollution. 

7. Sell and donate things you don’t use

If you have unused stuff lying around your house, consider finding a new home for these things.

You can sell things that are a bit more expensive.

It is a great way to make some money back and make sure the item finds a good home.

Donating to friends and family members is also a good option.

Just make sure they actually need the things you’re getting rid of.

Selling and donating will give a new life to the things that would have otherwise been useless.

As they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!

Not to mention you will also reap all the benefits of living with less!

I have countless articles about decluttering and minimalism, so feel free to check them out!

8. Conserve water

More and more cities around the world are suffering from water shortages.

Water is a precious resource we all need to survive, so we need to take action to conserve it.

It isn’t that hard.

Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth, don’t take long showers, and fix leaks.

If you have the chance to have a garden, you can reuse rainwater to water your plants. 

9. Reduce your household energy use

Just as with water, it is important to save energy in our homes.

Try switching off the lights when you leave a room.

Unplug your electronics when not in use.

Don’t overheat your home and if you are a bit cold, put a sweater on.

By implementing these simple habits into your daily life, you will save a lot of electricity and help the environment.

But you will also save quite a bit of money on your energy bill!

I have an entire blog post about ways you can save energy at home, so check it out!

10. DIY is the way to go

With the Internet, it is really easy to find all kinds of DIY to make whatever product you need.

You will not only save money but by making your own products, you will also help the environment since you’re not buying new things.

You can create your own skincare or make-up products, there are so many how-to articles and videos on the web.

This way, you will be putting cleaner and healthier products on your face and body.

I love my DIY laundry detergent!

You can also make homemade cleaning products, sew reusable cotton bags, or even DIY your clothes when they don’t fit properly anymore. 

Final thoughts on these 10 brilliant ways to help the environment