Did you know that the average American family produces more than 400 pounds of trash per year and uses 300 gallons of water at home daily? It’s no secret that the environment is in trouble. Climate change is real, and it’s happening right now. The good news is we can all do our part to help make a difference.
Families are the backbone of society. If that’s true, then it stands to reason that eco-friendly families are the backbone of a sustainable society. What does it mean to be an eco-friendly family? Can a family be raised in an eco-friendly way?
The answer is a resounding yes! There are many things that families can do to live more eco-friendly lives. From recycling and composting to using green cleaning products and driving less.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the ways that families can go green, save money and make a big difference to the health of our planet.
1. Recycle And Compost
One of the easiest ways to go green is to recycle and compost. By recycling items like paper, plastic, and glass, you can reduce your family’s impact on landfills. And by composting food scraps and yard waste, you can help create nutrient-rich soil for your garden.
Remember the three R’s – reduce, reuse, recycle – it’s a great way to remember how to go green. Reducing the amount of stuff you consume is the best way to reduce your environmental impact. When you do need to buy something, try to reuse or recycle it when you’re done with it.
And finally, when you do recycle, make sure you’re recycling properly so that your recyclables actually end up getting recycled! RecycleNation makes this easier than ever before. Just download the app and start scanning in those recycle codes! It’ll tell you exactly where to recycle everything from aluminium cans to Ziploc bags.
2. Use Green Cleaning Products
Another easy way to go green is to use eco-friendly cleaning products around your home. It’s no secret that chemicals in cleaning products can be harmful to our health. In fact, the EPA listed indoor air pollution in the top five risks to the environment and to public health.
Luckily, there are plenty of eco-friendly alternatives to conventional cleaning products. Eco-friendly cleaning products are typically made from natural ingredients and are free from harmful chemicals. They’re also often more effective than their conventional counterparts, so you can feel good about using them without sacrificing results.
A fun way to reduce your family’s environmental impact is to make your own all-purpose cleaner. You’re in control of the ingredients and you can make sure you use a recyclable bottle.
3. Drive Less
One of the best things you can do for the environment is to drive less. Whenever possible, walk, bike, or take public transportation instead of driving your car. You’ll save money on gas and help reduce air pollution at the same time!
Carpooling, walking, or biking, when possible, are all great options. And when you do have to drive, try to consolidate trips and errands to minimize the amount of time you’re on the road. Of course, that’s not always possible, but making even small changes in your driving habits can make a big difference.
You can also evaluate your family’s driving habits to see if you can become a one-car family. It will not only save you a bunch on gas but also help save the environment.
4. Shop Local And Sustainable
One of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to shop locally and sustainably whenever possible. Buying locally grown food cuts down on the emissions caused by transportation, and buying from sustainable sources helps to ensure that our planet’s resources are used responsibly. You can even join a CSA.
In addition, you are more likely to find products that are eco-friendly and sustainable. Eco-friendly materials like bamboo and wool are naturally antimicrobial and hypoallergenic, making them ideal for people with allergies or sensitive skin. And since sustainable products are made to last, you can go green and save money in the long run.
5. Conserve Energy
Eco-friendly families understand the importance of conserving energy. After all, energy doesn’t come from an inexhaustible source. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.
There are lots of easy ways to conserve energy in your home – you can turn off the light when you leave a room and unplug electronics that you’re not using. Not only will this save you some serious dollars on your energy bills, but it will also help to reduce your family’s impact on the environment.
The Oroeco app is a great way to manage your family’s eco-footprint. It allows you to see how your carbon footprint compares to other families, and provides tips on reducing your impact. For example, the app can find energy-efficient appliances, track your recycling and composting, and calculate your water usage.
Final thoughts
There’s no time like the present to start making your family more eco-friendly. So why not make the rest of the year the best of the year with eco-friendly changes in your own family? By implementing these simple tips into your everyday life, you can help make a difference for our planet—and set a good example for future generations. There are many other easy ways to go green for you and your family that also let you save money. Have you tried any of these tips?
