8 Simple Ways to Green Your Life at Home

Green living can be as simple as choosing to buy fresh, local food instead of packaged goods, or turning off the lights when you’re not in the room (even if you don’t plan on coming back). In fact, there are hundreds of little things you can do to Green Your Life at Home, and making these small changes will have an overall impact on your carbon footprint and the earth! Here are 8 simple ways to Green Your Life at Home.

1) Eat organic

One simple way you can green your life is by eating organic foods. Organic foods are grown without the use of harmful pesticides and herbicides, which can be detrimental to your health. They also tend to be more nutritious than conventionally-grown foods. Plus, buying organic supports sustainable farming practices.

Here are a few tips for incorporating organic foods into your diet buy locally grown produce from farmer’s markets or community supported agriculture (CSA) farms; choose wild-caught fish over farm-raised fish; purchase cage-free eggs; eat fewer meat products and consume more plant proteins such as beans, nuts, seeds, and tofu; avoid canned food because it often contains BPA in the lining of the cans.

2) Compost

Composting is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and save money on disposal costs. It’s also really easy to do! All you need is a container, some kitchen scraps, and a little bit of patience. Here’s how to get started:

1. Choose a container. You can use anything from a plastic bin to an old trash can. Just make sure it has holes in the bottom for drainage and is big enough to hold all of your kitchen scraps.
2. Find a spot for your bin. It should be in a sunny spot in your yard where it won’t get too hot or too cold.
3. Start adding scraps! This includes things like fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, and more.

3) Water Plants

One way to green your life at home is by using recycled materials. This can be anything from using recycled paper products to using recycled building materials. Not only does this help the environment, but it can also save you money. Here are some easy ways to get started 1) Install low-flow toilets and showerheads for less water use.

2) Buy eco-friendly household cleaners and detergents made with plant-based ingredients that are safe for humans and animals. 3) Plant a tree or flowers in your yard, which will clean air and provide a habitat for wildlife. 4) Pick up a discarded newspaper or magazine on the street instead of buying one new (or donate unwanted magazines).

4) Use Recycled Materials

One way to green your life at home is by using recycled materials. This can be anything from using recycled paper to using recycled plastic. Not only does this help the environment, but it also helps you save money. Here are seven ways to use recycled materials in your home:

1. Use recycled paper for all your printing needs.
2. Use recycled plastic for storage containers.
3. Use recycled glass for drinking glasses and vases.
4. Use recycled metal for picture frames and furniture.
5. Use recycled wood for flooring, paneling, and furniture.
6. Use recycled fabric for curtains, tablecloths, and upholstery.
7. Use recycled wool for insulation and carpeting.

5) Organize Reuse and Repurpose

One way to green your life is by organizing, reusing, and repurposing items you already have in your home. This can be anything from using an old mason jar as a vase to making your own cleaning products. Not only will this save you money, but it will also reduce your environmental impact.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Make your own cleaning products using ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils.
2. Compost food scraps and yard waste instead of sending them to the landfill.
3. Shop secondhand for clothing, furniture, and other household items.
4. Bring reusable bags with you when you go shopping.
5. Swap out incandescent light bulbs for CFL or LED bulbs.
6. Hang laundry outside on a clothesline or rack to dry (instead of using an electric dryer).
7. Use eco-friendly disposable tableware at parties or picnics where possible (including cloth napkins).
8. Join the Buy Nothing Project if you live in Victoria! You’ll find new ways to simplify your life and lessen your environmental footprint. To participate, buy nothing new for one month; choose from a list of items that will work just as well without breaking the bank.

6) Avoid Disposable Items

We all know that disposable items are bad for the environment – they’re made from non-renewable resources, they often can’t be recycled, and they end up in landfill. But did you know that they can also be bad for your wallet? Disposable items are usually more expensive than their reusable counterparts, so by ditching them you can save money as well as the planet. Here are 6 easy ways to avoid disposable items in your home:

1. Invest in a reusable water bottle and coffee mug. This will help you to cut down on single-use plastic bottles and cups. Plus, it’s a great way to save money if you buy your coffee or water out regularly. Just make sure to carry some cash with you – some cafes might not have refill stations. And while we’re talking about avoiding single-use plastics…

2. Say no to straws! The average person uses around half a million straws in their lifetime – imagine how many of those end up in our oceans every day! Instead of buying plastic straws, invest in silicone ones which can be used over and over again without polluting the planet. They come with nifty carrying cases too so there’s no need to worry about losing them when you’re out and about! (Learn more here)

3. Stop using plastic bags when shopping! Carry a small bag with you and remember to take it with you next time you go shopping. Plastic bags aren’t just an eyesore, they’re also terrible for wildlife because once they find their way into the ocean, sea creatures mistake them for food and die from starvation or suffocation (learn more here).

4. Switch to biodegradable waste bags for your litter bin instead of regular black bags which never break down naturally. If disposing of these black bags is hard work then consider recycling them instead (here’s how!). You’ll feel better knowing that less waste is going into landfill and onto our streets where animals like cats might get hold of them (learn more here). If you’re looking for other simple ways to green your life at home, check out our other posts below:

5. Replace any old light bulbs with energy efficient LED lights which last longer and use much less electricity. LEDs are cheaper now than ever before so don’t put off changing them until the last minute. Be mindful though that certain types of LEDs require a higher wattage bulb (check the packaging carefully!) so make sure you’ve got one before switching them over (this will save you lots of power in the long run). Learn more here!
6. Remember to unplug any appliances when they’re not being used.

7) Go Paperless

One of the easiest ways to go green is to cut down on paper usage. You can do this by opting for electronic bills and statements whenever possible. When you do need to print, use both sides of the paper. And, recycle any unwanted paper. You can also reduce your paper usage by reading books electronically and using a reusable grocery bag instead of paper or plastic bags.

8) Buy Used (Thrift Store, EBay etc.)

Buying used is a great way to save money and resources. When you buy something new, not only are you paying for the item, but also for the packaging, shipping, and other resources that went into making and delivering the item. But when you buy used, someone else has already paid for all of that, so you’re just paying for the item itself.

And since most things these days are mass-produced, chances are good that the used version is just as good as the new one (and often better made). You can find anything from clothes to furniture on sites like eBay or Craigslist. Thrift stores are great too because they support local charities by donating their proceeds back to them and have everything from clothes to dishes in every size imaginable!

In addition, if you live in an area with a car culture, there’s no reason why your house should be any different. Buy used cars and car parts locally or on Ebay instead of buying new ones. If possible, get rid of your car altogether: many areas offer bus routes or train stations that take commuters right into town – it’s just as fast and usually cheaper than owning a car! Plus, now you won’t have to spend time cleaning it, paying for gas, or worrying about accidents and insurance rates.

With more people opting out of driving each year and more cities looking into ways to make commuting easier without driving (e.g., bike lanes), now is the perfect time to think about living without a car! There are tons of other easy ways to green your life at home, like installing energy efficient light bulbs or recycling newspapers. The best part? They’re all free.