So you’ve jumped on the green wagon but you’re not quite sure how to live a sustainable lifestyle. With an increasingly more eco-aware society, it’s never been more easy to go green. However common misunderstandings can arise such as that having an ecological conscious lifestyle may be costly or expensive to uphold. On the contrary, it can actually save you a couple hundred bucks a year. You’ll be happy to know that tiny tweaks in your daily routine can have a larger long-term impact on the planet.
So here are some rules of green thumb:
1. Recycling Bins
Remember the old saying ‘Out of sight, out of mind.’ This couldn’t be more true of recycling. Unless you’re a well-practiced recycler, recycling isn’t just quite your first nature. Placing recycling bins around the house in various rooms such as the kitchen and office can help you and inspire others to make the right choice. Make sure to separate waste accordingly: cans, paper, glass, clothing, shoes, are all recyclable. Check out the recycling programs in your local communities to contribute to their efforts and build a support system around you. Know you are never alone and that we are all working together for a common cause.
2. Reuse
Placing reusable bags in convenient places, where you’ll remember to use them, can be extremely helpful to reducing waste. Keeping bags in the car or near the front door, can help you reuse them frequently. You can choose to reuse your own paper bags from other stores or buy your own made of sustainable material. It’s helpful to roll up bags to have on hand in case you make an unplanned store run. Having your own reusable carrier bags can reduce your plastic bag consumption to zero. Reusing mugs and bottles can also help you save money disposable plastic cups and bottles.
3. Green Scan
To gauge your daily carbon footprint, similar to a body scan, check in throughout the day to observe how your choices and habits may affect the environment. Everyone produces some sort of waste, so don’t get overwhelmed or discouraged by a large amount of waste you produce in a single day. Becoming conscious of it is the first step. Make it fun and commit to the challenge by accepting that no one is perfect. You’re just trying to make the world a better place by tweaking your lifestyle for the better.
Consistency is the key so go at your own pace. Get creative and enjoy the process.
Christin Lee is a yoga instructor, entrepreneur, and lifestyle blogger living in NYC with a passion for universal human rights. She is an editor at InsiderEnvy, a site focused on travel, health, and eyecare and writes review for contacts, beauty, and workouts.