5 Small Changes towards a Smaller Carbon Footprint

Almost all of our daily activities in some way or another impact the environment. It is hard to be entirely environmentally friendly at all times when you have bills to pay and other responsibilities. However, you can do your part to save the environment without even leaving your house.

One of the easiest ways to make a difference in your carbon footprint is by making a few changes in your daily life, like using an eco friendly water bottle and commuting by public transport.

The following are some tips that can reduce your carbon footprint on the earth.

Use a Sponge Instead of Paper Towels

The average household spends about $500 per year on paper towels, using nearly up to four boxes in the process. While these are useful for cleaning up messes when you don’t have access to water or washing clothes, they aren’t necessary in most cases. Sponges can work just as well and help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.

Forgo Plastic Bags

Plastic bags are used for everything from carrying groceries to lining trash bins. While single-use plastic bags only make up a small percentage of the plastic waste in landfills, they still lead to ocean pollution and soil quality degradation.

Over 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals are killed every year because of plastic in the oceans. Instead of using plastic bags, use canvas totes or keep reusable grocery bags in your car for when you’re on the go.

Use Less Hot Water on Your Dishes

Hot water isn’t necessary for most dishwashing needs. In fact, cold water is just as good as hot water for cleaning the dishes, and it also reduces the amount of energy used to heat water in your home. To make a difference in your carbon footprint, simply reduce the amount of time you use hot water.

Carry Reusable Water Bottles

If you’re going out for the day and need some water, carry an eco-friendly water bottle.Most water bottles are made from a type of plastic called polyethylene terephthalate, or PET. While PET is a safe material to use in most situations, it can leach chemicals into liquids when exposed to high temperatures for long periods.

An estimated 50 billion water bottles end up in landfills each year, with most people using one daily. People don’t do the math when considering the impact of their actions, and most aren’t aware that plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose. Once you start carrying your water bottle around, you won’t want to buy another one ever again.

Use Cloth Napkins Instead of Paper

Just like paper towels, paper napkins are also an unnecessary expense that tends to pile up quickly. While paper napkins can be used just once for wiping your hands after eating, most cloth napkins can be used repeatedly and may even look unused if you keep them clean and stain-free.

Buy Energy-Efficient Appliances

Switch to energy-efficient models for your electric appliances. Energy-efficient models use up to 30% less energy than other models. Look for the Energy Star logo on appliances and keep your eyes peeled for sales. Using such appliances not only reduces carbon footprint but also saves you money.