Photos By: Pexels and Unsplash

Simple steps like separating plastic and paper in your trash bin can go a long way in reducing your carbon footprint. By making small lifestyle changes, you not only contribute to a healthy planet but also save money. Although going green seems tedious, simple, manageable actions could make a significant impact. Research has shown us that protecting the planet in whatever way goes a long way in promoting a healthy environment. To help you do this, here are a few ways you can live a more environmentally conscious life.

1. Reduce Your Use of Chemical Cleaners

One of the simplest ways of reducing environmental pollution is reducing the use of cleaning chemicals. Start by swapping your chemicals with organic or green cleaners. Products like UV light disinfectants are an excellent example of surface cleaners that can help you kill germs and protect the environment. Additionally, ditch all cleaning products without a recyclable container.

2. Reduce Your Meat Intake

Another simple step is to abstain or reduce your meat consumption. Believe it or not, reducing meat consumption several days per week can make a huge difference in environmental conservation. Production of meat requires vast tracts of land, water, and chemicals. In fact, about 30% of Earth’s landmass supports the production of livestock.

Research by the United Nations shows that 9% of global CO2 comes from human activity related to meat production. Forego your meat consumption a few days a week, and you will go a long way in reducing resource use in meat production. Consider replacing the meat in your meals with either seafood or vegetables.

3. Start Recycling Items

The simplest and most impactful way of reducing carbon emission is by recycling. Start by dedicating a bin for recycling materials such as plastic and glass. Check for recycling services within your neighborhood. Most recycling service collection providers offer residential recycling services. You can also check for recycling services with your city government.

4. Use Less Paper

In today’s digital world, people rely more on digital technology and computers, making it easier to avoid using papers. Start by reducing your reliance on paper, such as notebooks are even papers in general. The less you use paper, the more you reduce its production. That means less cutting down of trees to make paper, hence saving the planet in the long run.

For example, instead of using dozens of rolls of paper towels when cleaning, cut a piece of cloth from your old clothes and use it as a rag. After cleaning, wash the rag and reuse it for the next cleaning exercise. Currently, about 40% of municipal solid waste consists of paper and paper products. For this reason, you either reduce the use of paper or recycle more.

5. Reduce Your Homes Energy Consumption

There are a lot of ways you can reduce your energy consumption in your home. You will not only reduce your carbon footprint but save money on your utility bills. It’s a win for the environment and your pocket. Start by unplugging home appliances when not in use.

Lower the temperature setting on your thermostat during winter and raise it in the summer. You can also wash your clothes in cold water instead of heated water, then dry them on a clothesline.

6. Ditch Plastic Disposable Water Bottles

Ditch all disposable bottles, even the recyclable ones. The one-time-use plastic water bottles pose a threat to the oceans and landfills. Also, they are expensive. You can replace that one-time-use water bottle with a BPA-free reusable bottle and use a water purifier for clean water.

7. Use an Eco-Friendly Pest Control and Lawn Care

The conventional way of controlling pest and lawn care involves dangerous chemicals that are hazardous to the environment. However, through technology, you can now opt for other means that are safer for your surroundings. This way, you not only play your part in conserving the environment but keep your pets and family safe.

8. Replace Plastic Bags with Canvas Bags

In most stores, you can get a canvas bag as an alternative to generic plastic bags. Although they are relatively more expensive than wasteful plastic paper bags, they can help you in other ways. One of the merits of canvas bags is that they are sturdier than a plastic paper bag. You can also use them to pack items when moving apartments.

9. Only Purchase What You Need

Do you find yourself throwing away items or food that you were to eat but didn’t? An easy way to help the environment and save money is to plan for your means. Start by making a shopping list and only buy what is most important. Commit to your plan, and you will avoid throwing money in the trash.

10. Use Reusable Flatware, Cups, and Plates

While cleaning utensils isn’t convenient, waste from disposable dinnerware builds up in landfills and hams the environment. To play your part in reducing the greenhouse effect, you can opt for reusable dishes for your meals.

Conclusion

Resolving to an eco-friendly lifestyle doesn’t have to be drastic to your routine. Start by observing one of the above simple steps, and with time you’ll adopt.

Photo: E2 Architecture + Interiors Ltd

The idea of “living green” is becoming more and more prominent in today’s society. And while that’s definitely a good thing, it seems like some people tend to misunderstand the concept to some extent and apply it in all the wrong places in their lives. Sure, optimize your home’s energy efficiency if you have the resources for that – but remember that there’s a lot more that you can do to ensure that you’re living in an environmentally friendly way whilst keeping your impact on nature to a bare minimum.

Be Conscious of What You’re Buying

By far one of the best things you can do to ensure that you’re living a greener lifestyle is to start putting more thought into the things you’re buying, as well as those that you discard. In our modern times, every big company is trying to push people towards a wasteful way of living where we just replace anything that breaks without trying to fix it. New versions of everything we use keep coming out on an annual basis at this point. It’s fine to want to upgrade, but don’t just mindlessly tuck away the old device in a cupboard for all eternity – try to find someone who might want it, or even donate it if you can afford it.

Photo: Eco Outdoor AUS

Organic Materials Can Go a Long Way

Many companies have started to enter the organic market lately, and it’s definitely a good thing to see such a wide adoption rate of this idea. It may cost a little more, sure, but knowing that so many items in your home were produced with minimal impact on the environment can be a huge bonus to a green lifestyle. You can get anything from food to organic sheets made in a way that minimizes the producer’s impact on the environment, making you a more responsible consumer. Plus, many of these items might be easier to recycle, adding to the above point.

Photo: E2 Architecture + Interiors Ltd

Contribute Your Time

Last but not least, if you have no old items to discard and can’t afford to replace everything in your home with organic versions, you should look into donating some of your free time to local organizations trying to promote green living. If you live in a densely populated area, you’ll probably have multiple opportunities of this type, so just look around and see who needs a hand. More often than not, you’ll find plenty of people willing to let you assist them in their projects, sometimes not even on an organizational level but an individual one.

Making those first few steps is the most difficult part for most people. Once you’ve crossed that line, you’ll find that living green is not only simple, but also rewarding and engaging. It can be fun for many people and considering how many opportunities you probably have to integrate it into your life, it’s one of the first things you should look into if you feel like you’re contributing too much to the damaging of our environment.

Dryer sheets can get pretty pricey, and they also make a lot of garbage. If you’re looking for an alternative to store-bought dryer sheets, this is for you! Keep your clothes smelling great and soft to the touch by making these homemade dryer sheets! All you need is a kitchen sponge and fabric softener to make these babies, and you’re ready to go! Take a look at the easy tutorial below and make your own today!

Supplies:

1) Fabric softener of your choice

2) A few kitchen sponges

3) A plastic container with a lid

4) Water

Step #1:

Fill the container about 2/3 of the way full with two parts water and one part fabric softener.

Step #2:

Take your sponges and cut them in half. Place them inside the container to soak up the fabric softener.

Step #3:

Place the lid on top of the container. Store your homemade dryer sheets in the fridge to prevent mold from forming.

Photos: Hometalk.

There’s tonnes of things you can make with lavender! We’ve rounded up 7 lavender crafts that you can make in a pinch! Take a look!

1. Deodorizing Disks

Easy to make with only a few ingredients, toss these disks anywhere you need deodorizing power! Tutorial here.

2. Lavender Dipped Letters

These are perfect for a nursery or children’s room! Follow along with the easy tutorial here.

3. Lavender and Rosemary Wreath

For this herb wreath, all you need is lavender, rosemary, a wreath form, and bobby pins! Make a big one to fit on your front door, or make several smaller ones to hang around your home. Check out the tutorial!

4. Homemade Lavender Beeswax Candle

This super cute candle in a teacup makes a great gift! Make it for Mother’s Day, or give them out as wedding favors! Tutorial here.

5. Lavender and Candles

Fill glass tumblers with dried lavender! As the candle warms the lavender, the lavender will release its scent!

6. Make Your Own Essential Oil

Try your hand at making homemade lavender essential oil! All you need is lavender and vodka! Tutorial here.

7. Lavender Sugar

This lavender sugar goes great with baking recipes. Use it instead of regular sugar in your favorite recipes for an added flavor boost! Super easy tutorial here.

Photos: One Good Thing By Jillee, Sarah the Architect, Lightly Crunchy, Shelterness, Condo Blues, Lazy Budget Chef, By Stephanie Lynn.

One of our favorite herbs has got to be lavender! It not only looks pretty, but it smells great, too! We love using lavender essential oil in home made cleaning products, but did you know that you can use lavender for tonnes of other things? Tea, headache relief, adding it in the bath… The uses for lavender are endless! We’ve picked our top 10 uses for lavender that you need to try today!

1. Good Night’s Sleep

Sprinkle lavender essential oil on your pillow for a good night’s sleep. The smell will help relax you, and help you get to sleep faster.

2. Lavender Spray

To make your home smell fantastic, add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a spray bottle filled with distilled water. Spray anywhere you would like to freshen up. You can also use this as a facial tonic, and to help get rid of inflamed acne!

3. Bathtime

Add a few drops of lavender oil to your bath water. You’ll feel tranquil, and you’ll smell amazing!

4. Headaches

To relieve headaches, rub lavender oil on your temples.

5. Baking

Use organically grown lavender in cookies, scones, and cake recipes. You can also use it to decorate cakes!

6. Salad Dressing

For a delicious salad dressing, mix together 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 6 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 crushed garlic clove, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tsp mustard powder, and 1 tsp organic dried lavender flowers.

7. Mosquito Repellant

Rub fresh lavender flowers on your legs and arms to repel mosquitoes and flies.

8. Tea

Make a calming tea by steeping lavender and chamomile in boiling water.

9. Deter Insects

Add fresh lavender bunches in closets to keep moths and silverfish at bay.

10. Carpet Cleaner

Make a eco-friendly carpet cleaner by mixing 5-6 drops of lavender essential oil to 1 cup baking soda. Sprinkle the mixture onto your carpets and allow it to sit for 1 hour before vacuuming.

Photos: Bellejheanell, Free Images Live, Food, Doterra Blog.

To make your own glass cleaner all you need is a few common household products. So, grab an empty spray bottle and ditch that store bought spray in favour of these eco-friendly recipes!

1. Mix equal parts water and vinegar and pour into a spray bottle. Spray down any glass surface and wipe clean with crumpled newspaper.

2. Mix 2 cups warm water, 1 tbsp corn starch, 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol, 1/4 cup vinegar, and 1/2 tsp dish soap. Shake well before use.

3. Mix 2 tbsp of borax and 3 cups of water. Spray on windows and wipe away with a clean cloth. Rinse off the solution with equal parts water and vinegar.

4. Add 1 tbsp lemon juice to 1 quart warm water. Spray and wipe dry.

Photo: Snapguide.

Weeds. Every yard has them. They are stubborn, pesky, and ruin your lovely lawn and flowerbeds. Buying generic weed killer from the store isn’t exactly the safest way to go about getting rid of weeds, as they are full of toxic chemicals. Keep your family and pets safe with these 5 easy solutions:

1. Boiling Water and Salt

This is the easiest and cheapest method. Simply boil tap water in a pot and add a cup of salt. Mix until the salt has dissolved and pour over any weeds. Be sure not to get it in contact with other plants, though, as this will kill anything that grows.

2. Weed Killer Spray Recipe

This spray is sure to kill any weeds it comes in contact with! Simply add 4 oz of lemon juice to 1 litre of apple cider vinegar. Pour into a spray bottle and spray thoroughly onto weeds.

3. Baking Soda

Since baking soda is pure sodium bicarbonate, it’s extremely deadly to weeds. Simply sprinkle a generous amount over weeds, and avoid other plants or grass.

4. Dish Soap

Dish soap breaks down weeds and makes them vulnerable to the sun’s rays. Add 6 tbsp of dish soap to a spray bottle and fill it with water. Spray this mixture onto weeds on a sunny day when the sun can help dry them up.

5. Fire

Another method that is widely used is burning the weeds with fire. Sometimes this method has to be done several times before the weeds are completely gone.

Photos: Dobies, Craftsy, Organic Gardening.