Living more sustainably doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive, though, and often the environmentally friendly decisions you make can actually save you money
- Be strictly to your thermostat
You can make the energy-saving. Lowering your thermostat setting between 7 and 10 degrees a day could help you save on your heating (or cooling) bill.
- Stop buying bottled drink. Instead, get a refillable bottle
The plastic bottles continue to end up in our landfills, so bring your own refillable bottle infant when you drink from the tap you know it’s actually safe to drink.
- Choose reusable containers wherever you can
Plastic never goes away it takes between 15 and 1,000 years for a plastic bag to decompose. Every year thousands of seabirds, sea turtles, seals and other marine mammals are killed after ingesting plastic or getting tangled up in it. Use reusable bags when you shop, ditch single-use water bottles, bags, and straws and avoids products made from or packaged in plastic. Bring your own mug to your local coffee shop in the morning instead of wasting a cardboard cup to bring your reusable bags when you visit the grocery store
- Go paperless,
We need the trees to pull the CO2 out of the air, which means we need to stop wasting paper. Opt for paperless billing and paperless statements for all of your credit cards, bank accounts, and utilities, Get e-tickets for movies, flights and other events instead of printing.
- Take public transportation, carpool, ride your bike or walk whenever possible.
Cut down on air pollution and reduce your carbon footprint. Few choices we make can reduce our environmental impact as directly as simply driving less, though. We’ve grown accustomed to driving everywhere, but try taking public transit, riding a bike, or even walking to the store if you can. It’s a nice chance to see more of your neighbourhood, and it’s great for the planet
- Budget for sustainability
Save money is to simply create a budget. Track your expenses, and take a look at where you’re spending money—and why. Are you buying things you don’t need or replacing items that could be repaired or used for longer?
- “Green” energy credits
Let your energy provider know that you’re interested in reducing your carbon footprint to see if a renewable-energy offset program is available in your area. Some are backed by renewable energy credits, and others allocate electricity generated by renewable energy technologies like wind or solar power
- Using rechargeable batteries
They hold a charge so that they’re often ready to use right out of the package. They’re less expensive than ever, they last a long time between charges. Be sure to recycle your old batteries, though, as they’re especially toxic and shouldn’t be thrown away.
- Sustainable shopping
Every product we purchase has an environmental footprint, from the materials used to create it to the pollution emitted during manufacturing to the packaging that ends up in landfills. You can make good choices that help the planet along with your wallet. Select products with recyclable packaging wherever you can bring your own reusable bags or jars. Buying dry goods in bulk is often cheaper per ounce
- Food mindfully
Seek to reduce the amount of trash you produce. So if you have the time or ability to cook meals for yourself, be mindful of how much you make and save any leftovers. Eating at restaurants less frequently is a huge money-saver
- Wild Energy
Nothing is more sustainable than reducing your reliance on the local power grid—or disconnecting from it completely. If your state allows you to pick your electricity supplier, use a Green-e certified company that generates at least half its power from wind, solar and other clean sources
- Water consumption
Wasting water inflates your water bill. Saving water is pretty simple. Taking shorter showers fixing leaky toilets, and choosing low-flow and low-water appliance options. Run only full loads through your washing machine and dishwasher. Turn the faucet off while you’re brushing your teeth
- Go green
Make sure your home has adequate insulation and energy-saving windows, and use a programmable thermostat for more efficient heating and cooling, energy-saving light bulbs for more efficient lighting. Call your energy provider to see if it offers free energy audits or knows of a company that does.
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