conscious living

10 Ways to be More Environmentally Conscious

Today is Earth Day so many of us are looking at ways to live a more environmentally conscious or environmentally friendly way. I’ve rounded up the 10 easiest ways to implement more conscious choices in your life. Please add any more tips in the comments!

1. Use Less Plastic. Especially single use plastics. Take a coffee mug to the coffee shop and opt for a reusable water bottle instead of plastic bottles. Heading to the store? Take along a reusable cloth tote. I’m also including plastic clothing such as polyester. Every time you wash polyester, little plastic fibers break off and end up in our oceans.
2. Buy Vintage and Thrift. If you’re a long time reader, then you already do this! But you can also thrift furniture and other items that are just as good as buying new.  See all of my vintage guides to get you started on your second hand journey.
3. Start Composting. This is a no brainer and so easy to do. Composting enriches soil, helping retain moisture and suppress plant diseases and pests. It also reduces methane emissions from landfills and lowers your carbon footprint. We love this compost bin and use it at home.
4. Buy Local and Organic Produce. The closer to home produce is grown and bought, the less carbon is created with their transportation. Plus, you’ll be supporting the local economy and small business which supports overall economic health in your community.
5. Swap out Paper Towels and Plastic Wrap. We started using these reusable wax wraps instead of plastic wrap. Trader Joe’s just launched this same product so pick it up on your next haul. We also use these bamboo cloths instead of paper towels to reduce waste. I throw ours in the washing machine to clean.
6. Eat Less Meat. Reducing your meat intact, even if it’s just for two or three days a week, can have quite a significant impact on reducing your carbon footprint. Plus, it’s the healthier option.
7. Walk or Ride a Bike. If it’s less than a 15 minute car ride, opt to walk or ride a bike when possible. It’s also a stress reducer and you’ll get in a nice workout.
8. Buy Less. Do you really need that extra TV or all those jeans? Probably not. Make smarter choices about the items you buy.
9. Say No to Harsh Chemicals. This applies to both household cleaners and skincare. Not only are these chemicals bad for the environment, they are also bad for your health. My favorite home cleaning products are Eco-Me and Seventh Generation. For clean beauty, check out my posts here and here.
10. Recycle. This is a no-brainer but so many people I know just dump old batteries, computer, and even plastics in the trash. Most cities offer chemical, electronics and large item recycling programs. You can also recycle old clothing and textiles that are in too bad of shape to donate at H&M (plus they’ll give you 15% off your purchase).