We’re all aware of how serious climate change is, so if you’re wanting to be more environmentally friendly, you need to know that it’s not just about reducing your plastic bag usage. If you’re serious about making a difference and doing your bit to help save the planet, there are many other small but subtle changes that you can make to your lifestyle to help conserve natural resources, protect wildlife, reduce pollution, as well as slow down the rate of climate change.

While you may not think that you alone will make much of an impact, if we all pull together and make minor changes to the way we live, we could end up seeing huge improvements in the world we live in. Whether that’s by making changes at home, in the workplace, or getting from A to B, here are 25 green energy tips that can help reduce your carbon footprint and make you eco-friendlier.

Recycle

There are tons of benefits that go hand in hand with recycling. Not only can recycling reduce pollution and save energy, but you will be conserving natural resources too. Recycling is all about sorting out and cleaning up trash to produce secondary materials such as metal, plastic, and glass which can be reused in products. As recycling saves energy, it also decreases greenhouse gas emissions which can help when it comes to tackling climate change. You may be surprised to learn that pretty much anything can be recycled, so make sure to go around your home and sort through any clutter which may be better off recycled, rather than collecting dust or being sent to landfill.

Avoid Plastic Bags

When you are out grocery shopping, it can be all too easy to pick up a couple of plastic bags and throw them in the cupboard without giving them a second thought. However, once you’re aware of how much of a danger plastic bags are to the environment, you will soon think twice. Plastic bags pose all sorts of ecological problems; not only can they take hundreds of years to decompose, but they pose a huge threat to wildlife. Many animals mistake plastic bags for food and end up getting entangled in them and suffocating. If you would like to reduce your plastic bag usage, your first port of call should be to decline them when purchasing items. Make sure that you bring your own bags with you when shopping which can be reused time and time again.

Buy Only What You Will Use

If you’re known for splashing the cash, you may have piles upon piles of junk around your home. Many Americans are known for being huge consumers of household products, furnishings, foods, as well as cars. With many of us purchasing more than we actually need, the excessive personal consumption of products results in higher direct and indirect costs, which can have a negative impact on the environment. If you would like to become eco-friendlier, it’s advised to avoid impulse purchases and instead make a realistic assessment of what you need (rather than want) before spending money. When you do have to purchase items, why not seek out durable alternatives that use a smaller amount of packaging?

Buy Second Hand

There are many Americans who like to buy everything brand new. If you’re one of these people, you may not realize the negative impact you’re having on the environment. Instead of spending a ton of cash on new things, why not go down the secondhand route instead? There are lots of websites that you can use such as Craigslist or eBay to purchase used items that are as good as new, not to forget a fraction of the original price. Giving household items a second lease of life can also cut its carbon footprint by up to 50%!

Donate Used Goods

If you have lots of clutter lurking around the home, you may find it easier to throw unwanted items into the garbage can, however, instead of sending unnecessary items to landfill, why not donate used goods instead? Whether it’s clothing, furniture, or appliances, there are many people out there who will appreciate your items and give them a good home. As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, so donating to organizations such as the Salvation Army, or going to your local church will mean you’re doing your bit for charity, not to mention helping to save the environment.

Purchase Items with Less Packaging

One of the main problems with waste landfills is that they’re filled to the brim with consumer product packaging. With containers and packaging making up the largest portion of municipal waste at an alarming 78 million tons, it’s advised to purchase products that use as little packaging as possible. If you are struggling to avoid packaging, there are other routes that you can go down, such as reusing containers, using bubble wrap, or checking whether your local shipping service can use them.

Avoid Disposable Products

Paper and plastic plates, disposable diapers, cheap plasticware, as well as other non-durable consumer goods amount for up to 20% of the United States waste stream. One of the greatest concerns are the greenhouse gas emissions that come from these kinds of items. If you’re prone to purchasing disposable products such as for camping trips, it’s best to switch to durable, bargain-priced dishes, as well as cloth napkins and durable razors.

Don’t Buy Bottled Water

In 2017, Americans consumed over 13.7 billion gallons of bottled water. While America’s domestic drinking water supplies are considered clean and safe to use, that doesn’t stop millions of Americans choosing to purchase bottled water instead. Even though there are many people across the country who are taking a step in the right direction in terms of shunning sugary drinks for water, it’s best to purchase a reusable water bottle, rather than throwing away empty water bottles which only end up at landfill. Plastic bottles can take over 450 years to fully decompose, so if you want to make a difference to the world we live in, make sure to stick to a reusable bottle, or use a glass when pouring water from the faucet.

Upcycle

As a homeowner, you may not be aware of the items around your property which still have life in them. Instead of throwing things in the trashcan, why not repurpose them instead? Heading onto the internet and doing your research can expose you to tons of crafty ideas that you can use for reusing waste materials. Whether it’s by turning a plastic bottle into a planter, or a wine bottle cork into a bath mat, the possibilities are endless! If you’re a DIY enthusiast, having a project to work on can keep you occupied and give you a sense of accomplishment.

Upgrade to a Green Computer

In the modern world we live in, computers are regarded as a necessity, rather than a luxury. Whether it’s for browsing social media to see what your friends are doing, or using it for work purposes, there will come a time when your current model has run its course. When you’re ready to purchase a new computer, make sure that you buy one that has an Energy Star label on it, as doing so will save you up to 65% in energy use. Better still, you may want to consider purchasing a laptop which uses far less energy than a desktop computer.

Invest in a Clothes Line

If you have a dryer in your home, you may not realize how much energy you’re consuming by running it. If you have others in your household, the amount of times the dryer is used can soon add up and cause a rise in your energy bills. Instead of relying on machinery to dry your clothes, why not invest in a clothes line? There are tons of retail outlets that sell racks and well-designed accessories which can be perfect for indoor drying. If you can’t say goodbye to your dryer just yet, make sure that you pick the setting that provides an automatic shut off when your clothes are done.

Use Energy Efficient Lightbulbs

The lightbulbs you use throughout your home can have a big impact on how much you’re shelling out for your energy each month. Instead of sticking with traditional light bulbs, why not make the switch to LED lights? Not only do they use 75% less energy to provide the same amount of light, they last up to 25 times longer, meaning you won’t have to bring out the ladder to change them as often. If you don’t know where to start when it comes to eco-friendly living, an easy change you can make is by switching to energy efficient lightbulbs.

Turn Off Lights

We’ve all been guilty of leaving a light on. Whether you’re rushing out the door for work, or in a daze before you hit the hay, you may not be aware of how much energy you could save if you switch off every light that’s not in use. By turning off unnecessary lights such as in an empty room, you will not only save some cash on your energy bill but lower your carbon footprint too. If you live with friends or family, make sure that they follow your lead and remember to switch off lights too.

Unplug Equipment

Even when they’re not in use, there are lots of electronic devices such as TVs, microwaves, and computers that use standby power to save warm up time. Before you head out the door or go to bed, make sure that you go around your home to make sure that any electrical items are unplugged. Once you get yourself into the habit of checking, you may notice a decrease in your energy bills at the end of the month.

Change Your Cooling and Heating System

With heating and cooling accounting for nearly half of household energy consumption, it may be time to change your HVAC system. There are companies like Semper Solaris who provide brand new air conditioning and heating systems that are good for the environment too. If you need an AC repair or AC tune up, you can contact these AC professionals who will come out and fix your system. Semper Solaris believe in preserving the environment through clean energy, meaning you will be using a company who are known for being energy efficient. Also, purchasing an advanced HVAC will consume less energy, and run on clean technology.

Eat Healthier

You may not realize it, but what you eat can also harm the planet. If your current diet predominately consists of meat and dairy, it may be time to limit your consumption. Reducing the amount of meat and dairy in your diet can help reduce your carbon footprint. This is because animal-derived food production has a much larger greenhouse gas output when compared to grain and vegetable production. While no one is saying you have to ban such foods outright, being aware of your daily consumption and trying your best to limit your intake can have a positive impact on the environment. For example, if you eat chicken instead of beef for 12 months, you will cut your carbon dioxide emissions by 882 pounds.

Go Organic

For those who are serious about making changes to their diet, why not take the plunge and go organic? While growing your own organic food is labor intensive, it requires 30%-50% less energy to produce. If you would prefer to purchase organic food rather than growing your own, there are still tons of benefits that you can receive. Not only does organic produce contain fewer pesticides, organic farming is far better for the environment.

Compost Food Waste

If you’re an avid cook, you may end up with lots of leftover food that goes straight into the trashcan. However, instead of throwing out your food, why not compost it? When you take into account that close to 30% of the waste stream is made up of food and yard waste, the last thing you want to do is add to that statistic. Instead, composting can not only save you disposal costs, but it also creates a valuable soil amendment. You don’t even need to have technology at your disposal or tons of land to compost yard waste and household food. To compost effectively, make sure that you follow a simple formula and ensure that any meats, dairy products, or bones are out of the mix.

Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

We all like to take great pride in our homes, so if you’re left in charge of the household chores, it may be time to ditch the well-known branded cleaning products and go for something eco-friendlier. There are tons of cleaning products that are filled with harmful chemicals that aren’t very environmentally friendly to create or dispose of. Instead of using these products to clean your home, you may wish to switch to green cleaning products that use more organic and natural methods of cleaning. There are lots of items lurking in your kitchen cupboards that can be great for cleaning, such as vinegar and bicarbonate of soda.

Shop Local

Whether it’s purchasing a new outfit, or going grocery shopping, the closer to home these sorts of products are made and purchased, the less carbon is created with their transportation. What’s more, purchasing locally will mean you’re supporting your local economy. Instead of traveling countless miles for your needs, buying locally will also mean you don’t have to go out in your car and spread fumes into the environment.

Save Water

The amount of water you use in your home could be another reason why your utility bills at the end of the month are so high. If you live with others especially, a couple of extra minutes in the shower can make a big difference in how much you’re paying out. Using less water not only saves energy and infrastructure costs, it also means less water is lost to contamination which helps make sure there’s an adequate amount of clean water for future usage. There are lots of things that you can do in your own home to conserve outdoor water too, such as keeping your grass a bit longer, washing your car on the lawn, as well as mulching your garden. When it comes to the inside of your property, make sure to keep the water off when you’re not actively using it, such as when you’re washing the dishes, or brushing your teeth.

Purchase a Cleaner Car

Cars in the US produce around 1/3 of all air pollution, with the contaminants emitted being more of a health threat than those from smokestacks. If you use your car to get to work or to run daily errands, the amount of fuel your vehicle is guzzling can be mind-blowing. If you’re ready to say goodbye to your vehicle and want to make a change, why not switch to an electric car? Not only are they clean, quiet, and relaxing to drive, they’re also inexpensive to run. If you aren’t ready to invest in an electric vehicle, purchasing a fuel-efficient car can reduce air pollution and reduce your carbon footprint.

Drive Efficiently

If you’re late for a business meeting, or you’re known for speeding, fast accelerations will use up far more fuel, with abrupt stops wasting tons of energy too. Changing how you drive and being mindful of other motorists can lower your gas mileage by up to 5% in the city and 33% on the highway. The optimal highway speed for gas mileage currently stands at 50mph; after that, the gas mileage will drop very quickly. It’s best not to idle your car, especially if you are running the air conditioner. In the winter months, make sure to only give your vehicle 30 seconds to warm up. Carrying out regular maintenance on your car will help it run at its top efficiency, helping to avoid any serious maintenance issues.

Involve the Workplace

Whether you work for an organization, or run your own company, there are lots of changes that you can make in the workplace for the better. Whether it’s by starting your own workplace environmental committee that you and your employees can use to help lower your carbon footprint and energy consumption, or reducing the amount of paper you use, every little helps. Communication is key in the workplace, so it’s important that you address your worries and concerns with your colleagues or employees. For example, designating tasks such as making sure someone in the office is in charge of turning off lights and electronics before leaving can help make your workplace more environmentally friendly.

Volunteer

If you have a spare couple of hours each week and want to put them to good use, you may want to consider volunteering for an environmental organization. Many of these groups have volunteer programs that you can sign up to which will mean you’re doing your bit to help save the planet. Whether this is by picking up litter, stuffing envelopes, clearing trails, or fund-raising, using your time effectively and efficiently will give you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. There are tons of other benefits that you can gain from volunteering too, such as getting to meet people from all walks of life, as well as educating those not in the know of the seriousness of climate change and what they can do to lower their energy consumption.

Whether you’re wanting to cut back on your energy consumption and save money on your utility bills each month, or you want to do your bit to protect the environment for the future generations to come, making any kind of change will reduce your carbon footprint and help you lead a more eco-friendly way of life. With so many toxic products and pollution surrounding us every day, being aware of the problems we face and trying to make a difference will help when it comes to saving the environment.