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8 Easy Ways to be a Little More Green – If I Can Do It, You Can Do It

April 18, 2016 by Jennifer 15 Comments

We all want to create a better world for future generations, but if something seems too difficult or overwhelming, sometimes we just don’t do it. I do that all the time. If a task is too daunting, a mental barrier automatically goes up and my body goes into resistance mode. Making things harder than they should be is a great way to set ourselves up for failure. (This post contains affiliate links)

I consider myself to be an actively semi-green person. I am realistic about what I can, and can’t do in order to protect our environment. And I truly believe that every little bit helps. It is not up to one person to save the world, but if we all do just a couple things here are there, it sure can’t hurt… right?

All of these tips may not work for everyone, and that’s fine. But try to find a couple things that work for you and are easy to accomplish, then you can feel good knowing you’re doing your part:

8 Easy Ways to be a Little More Green

1) COMPOST

Even if you don’t do the composting yourself, most residences have a Green Bin that’s included in the curbside trash pick up. We have a compost pile in our back yard off and on. But even if you just put your compost in the Green Bin, it keeps that much more out of the landfills and is made into compost for someone else.

Counter Composter

We use a great stainless steel countertop version that we put fruit and veggie scraps in (we don’t yet, but should really start putting used coffee grounds in it as well). Bonus benefit, it keeps the trash from getting stinky from all the banana peels my husband uses for smoothies.

2) TRADE IN THE PLASTIC KIDS PLATES

Best Alternative to Plastic Kids Dishes

It’s so hard because they’re so damned cute! I was such a sucker for the seasonal varieties at Target, but read here why I stopped using them and found the best silicone kids dishes ever

3) TURN YOUR CAR OFF WHILE IDLING

I’m pretty bad at practicing what I preach on this one. Especially in the drive through during the heat of the summer or cold of the winter. It’s such an easy thing to do though. It doesn’t cost anything. In fact it saves you gas. Just try it!

4) CHANGE YOUR LIGHT BULBS OUT

I have been resisting this one for a long time. There’s something about that warm glow of incandescent light bulbs that’s hard to let go of. I’m finally starting to come around to the LED bulbs though (don’t tell my husband). They use so much less energy, and last FOREVER.

5) USE RAGS INSTEAD OF PAPER TOWELS

This is another one that actually saves you money.  In fact, here are four more things you can buy that will save you money and the environment.

6) USE REUSABLE SNACK BAGS INSTEAD OF PLASTIC 

Homemade Snack Bags

I have a VERY minimal knowledge of sewing, but I make a bunch of these reusable snack bags in under an hour and use them for snacks, sandwiches, bandaids, hair ties, basically anything I would put in a ziploc bag.

7) USE A WATER BOTTLE INSTEAD OF BOTTLED WATER

I know, it’s so convenient to just grab a cold bottle of water out of the fridge. Filling a reusable water bottle is just as easy though. Plus, haven’t you seen those commercials about all the empty plastic water bottles that circle the earth? Scary!

8) REUSABLE GROCERY BAGS AND PRODUCE BAGS

It seems we’ve all been using reusable grocery bags for years now… right? And if not, then now is the perfect time to start (just don’t forget them in your car). I’ve started seeing more and more reusable produce bags around as well. GENIUS!

Did I miss any easy ones? What do you do that’s simple for everyone?

Other posts you may enjoy:

8 More Ways to Be a Little More Green

6 Awesome Ways to Celebrate Earth Day Every Day

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8 Easy Ways to be a Little More Green

 

 

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Filed Under: Favorites, Homemaking, Living, Semi-Green Living Tagged With: easy, green, semi green

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Leah Schulz says

    April 23, 2016 at 10:45 pm

    Great tips! I just bought some Norwex clothes that have copper in them and they can clean germs with just water. So no paper towels and no cleaning products. I love them. https://misspettigrewreview.com/
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      April 23, 2016 at 11:33 pm

      Oooooh, how have I not tried these yet?
      Reply
  2. Caroline says

    May 13, 2016 at 12:34 pm

    Eating less meat. Not even a lot less, maybe just make one meal a week veggie. It helps the environment and is pretty easy! Using rags instead of paper towels is an awesome tip - paper towels and wipes are really bad for clogging up drains too
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      May 13, 2016 at 8:06 pm

      Yes, I love the eating less meat thing!
      Reply
  3. Heather with WELLFITandFED says

    May 13, 2016 at 9:46 pm

    I need to work on the water bottles and the reusable bags.
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      May 13, 2016 at 10:11 pm

      It can be tough breaking your current habits, I know it is for me!
      Reply
  4. Jessica Bradshaw says

    May 14, 2016 at 9:21 am

    Yes!! I do most of these already. Thank you for the tips!!
    Reply
  5. Dia All The Things I Do says

    May 16, 2016 at 9:39 am

    These are great and simple tips you can implement into your daily life. For me I think the best and most simple is reuseable products when possible. In the off chance I forget to take my shopping bags in and I get plastic I use them as trashcan liners or take them back to the store.
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      May 16, 2016 at 4:44 pm

      Yes, I use them for trash can liners as well!
      Reply
  6. Gaye @CalmHealthySexy says

    June 3, 2016 at 7:23 am

    I love the phrase "actively semi-green!" That is a good goal, which would keep me from feeling overwhelmed.
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      June 3, 2016 at 8:23 am

      I'm all about setting realistic goals!
      Reply
  7. Kay Simandl says

    April 15, 2017 at 6:05 pm

    Hi Jennifer, thank you for the reminder that Earth Day is coming up. I want to add a few things we do. We have our water heater on a timer - runs in the morning before we get up and then turns off for the rest of the day (we can override if need be). We have demand pumps in the kitchen and bathroom so when we want hot water the pump brings it up and we do not run the water down the drain. We have been composting for years - a stainless bucket in the kitchen which when full is carted out to the compost bin. Our grandmother, Momee (Paula, MF and me) carried a container regularly to a spot behind the garage and buried the contents - when I wanted worms for fishing I just walked over and she would dig worms from that wonderful spot! We never use paper napkins, cloth napkins only and we use paper towels sparingly - we didn't even have a paper towel dispenser until a couple of years ago ( I got too short to reach them). One more thing for now. We do have solar thermal panels that warm our water and we have a bank of photovoltaic panels that make electricity but, I admit, we are a little piggy on our electric use - and solar stuff is not cheap - it does make us feel good. We have replaced a lot of our light bulbs with LEDs, and most of the other bulbs are CFL
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      April 15, 2017 at 10:54 pm

      What great suggestions B Kay! I'm jealous of the demand pumps and solar panels!
      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 6 Awesome Ways to Celebrate Earth Day Every Day says:
    April 21, 2017 at 7:01 am
    […] 8 Easy Ways to be a Little More Green […]
    Reply
  2. Easy Homemade Reusable Snack Bags - A Simple DIY Tutorial says:
    July 30, 2017 at 7:56 pm
    […] 8 Easy Ways to be a Little More Green says: July 18, 2017 at 10:20 pm […] Easy Homemade Reusable Snack Bags – An Easy DIY Tutorial […] Reply […]
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