Establishing an eco friendly lifestyle requires becoming more aware of our use of natural resources, leading to changes in daily habits that conserve energy, reduce waste and have minimal impacts on the environment.
Search for products made with sustainable practices. Buy organic food and use reusable cutlery and cups. Avoid visiting zoos that confine animals or opt for airlines with environmentally-friendly policies when booking flights.
Reducing Waste
Waste reduction (also referred to as pollution prevention and source reduction) is an integral component of sustainable practices, involving efforts that reduce the quantity of waste created at its source – whether by changing production techniques and methods or buying recycled products that benefit the environment.
Food waste accounts for a substantial part of landfill trash, where it decomposes to produce methane gas and contribute to global climate change. By purchasing locally grown, organic and fair trade foods you can help minimize food waste.
Another way to reduce waste is through using reusable water bottles and forgoing plastic bags altogether, as well as posting a “no junk mail” sign in your mailbox to prevent unwanted paper. Also, instead of throwing away items which no longer serve a purpose, consider repairing or donating them instead.
Recycling
Reusing and recycling are effective strategies for keeping waste out of landfills and oceans, but not all materials can be recycled in your area. It’s essential that you get informed on local recycling rules. Reach out to your city or check their website to gain further insights.
Recycling items is a sustainable practice that conserves natural resources and energy by diverting waste away from landfills and turning it into new materials. Recycling conserves these natural resources while saving energy as the need to extract virgin materials is reduced, such as manufacturing aluminum using recycled aluminum from bauxite uses 95% less energy! Recycling old clothes keeps them out of the trash while providing warmth for animals – some clothing companies even offer discounts when you bring in your unwanted textiles!
Composting
While we strive to reduce food waste through shopping, preparation and storage techniques, there will always be kitchen scraps that cannot be eaten (for instance banana peels). Composting is an all-natural solution that will recycle these kitchen waste into nutrient rich soil.
Microorganisms in a compost pile work to break down organic matter such as leaves and grass clippings into rich, earthy material called humus that enriches soil while decreasing weed growth and protecting against plant diseases.
Composting organic materials keeps them out of landfills and trash incinerators, helping reduce greenhouse gases such as methane emitted into the atmosphere during their breakdown in an oxygen-deprived environment. Furthermore, composting reduces chemical fertilizer needs.
Walking or Biking to School
Walking or bicycling to school is an eco-friendly way for children to meet the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity every day, reduce air pollution, and help combat climate change. Furthermore, it offers students a great chance to meet neighbors and develop lasting community ties.
Good news is that schools have many ways they can support this solution, including educating their student body on the advantages and drawbacks of walking or bicycling to school, encouraging other students to participate in Bike and Walk to School events, which promote these forms of transportation, and more.
Research indicates that walking or bicycling to school depends on several factors, including age, concerns about traffic safety and pedestrian convenience, neighborhood security concerns and increasing availability of sidewalks, bike lanes and crossing guards as an aid for overcoming these challenges.
Buying Local
Buy local is all about supporting local economies and cultures while giving consumers more insight into how their purchases are produced. The move provides economic stimulation while supporting families and cultures while giving consumers insight into exactly where and how their purchases come from.
Shopping this way reduces emissions from large transport trucks and airplanes that emit greenhouse gases over long distances, as well as eliminating refrigeration which uses significant energy resources.
By shopping locally, you can often access fresh produce that’s at its most flavorful. This reduces exposure to harmful toxins in your diet as well as providing opportunities to connect with local farmers at farmer’s markets or CSA programs.