These last two years I’ve been thinking a lot about the world we live in and how I’m helping to leave her thriving and vibrant for the many generations to follow. I’ve been making subtle changes, and have plans for more in order to help the environment. Honestly, this is something I didn’t think about much before, but last year after attending a presentation about the harmful effects of plastic I began looking at the way I move through the world a little differently.

So, in honor of Earth Day, here’s my list of various ways to help the environment. These are mostly small changes that we can begin making life-changing habits to help sustain Mother Earth and leave her beautiful vibrant and full of life for many generations to come.

30 Ways to Help the Environment:

1. Take a shorter shower, and keep the temp a little cooler than you may prefer.
2. Walk or ride a bike when you can avoid driving.
3. Utilize re-usable bags for shopping, grocery trips, mall runs, etc…
4. Keep a list of things you need to purchase from Amazon, do them all at once and do not use next day shipping.
5. Use my own water bottle every day rather than buying plastic ones from the store on a regular basis.
6. Turn off the lights when leaving a room.
7. Don’t pre-warm the car in the colder winter months.
8. Turn off the water when brushing teeth.
9. Recycle as much as possible. (remember to clean out containers so they really can be reused.)
10. Run larger loads in the dish washer or washing machine instead of many small loads throughout the week.
11. Eat less meat. (the affects of animal agriculture on our earth is shocking, and since the average American already eats twice as much protein a year as recommended we won’t be missing out if we eliminate some from our diets.)
12. Plant a garden or trees.
13. Pick up trash you see on the ground while out for a run/walk.
14. Buy clothing that will last and not need to be replaced quickly.
15. Take care of your clothing and other goods so that they last a long time.
16. Buy second hand products when you can. My brother works at Goodwill and you would be amazed at what you can find there!
17. Use energy efficient light bulbs.
18. In the summer months, use a clothesline to dry your clothing.
19. Use real napkins that can be washed ans reused instead of paper ones with every meal.
20. Avoid printing as much as possible.
21. Use the front and back of notebook paper. (I used to hate this as a student!)
22. Use cruise control when driving on the highway - this means better gas mileage, which means filling up less, which means a win for Mother Earth.
23. Ditch the plastic straw. And while you’re at it, the plastic lids can go as well - at least if you are only drinking while in the restaurant.
24. Switch as many bills as possible to online payments with no paper statements.
25. Carpool when possible, even if it is not the most convenient, or use public transportation.
26. Combine errands. (making a list to remember what you need where is the easiest way to do this, rather than running out each time you need something.)
27. Consume or donate all the food you purchase. (yes, this means getting creative with leftovers, and finding a use for that brown banana.)
28. When possible buy in bulk. It reduces the amount of packaging that needs to be thrown out and trips to the store.
29. Buy less stuff. Donate what you don’t use anymore.
30. Unplug appliances and tech you aren’t using - your computer too.

Am I missing something from this list of ways to help the environment that you do? I’d love to hear it and add it to my growing list of little changes that will hopefully make a better future for years to come.