01of 25Kitchen: Eat ‘Real’ FoodGetty"For your own well- being and the planet’s, give up heavily processed food," says Heather Reisman, coauthor ofImagine It! A Handbook fora Happier Planet. “Eat more plant-based items, and cut back on meat and dairy, because methane from cows is damaging to the environment.”
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Kitchen: Eat ‘Real’ Food
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“For your own well- being and the planet’s, give up heavily processed food,” says Heather Reisman, coauthor ofImagine It! A Handbook fora Happier Planet. “Eat more plant-based items, and cut back on meat and dairy, because methane from cows is damaging to the environment.”
02of 25Kitchen: Ditch the PodsExperts estimate that the number of single-use coffee pods currently in landfills could circle the Earth more than 10 times. “Switch to another method, like a French press or a classic drip coffeemaker,” suggests Kathryn Kellogg, founder ofgoingzerowaste.com.
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Kitchen: Ditch the Pods
Experts estimate that the number of single-use coffee pods currently in landfills could circle the Earth more than 10 times. “Switch to another method, like a French press or a classic drip coffeemaker,” suggests Kathryn Kellogg, founder ofgoingzerowaste.com.
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Kitchen: Throw in the (Paper) Towel
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Kitchen: Save Your Scraps
Buy It!Bamboozle bamboo compost bin, $40;food52.com
05of 25Kitchen: Eliminate Single-Use Plastic"We have to start looking at our plastic footprint, because every piece of plastic ever created still exists," warns Laurie David, coauthor ofImagine It! A Handbook for a Happier Planet.“Exchange plastic wrap and bags with reusable containers.“Buy It!Stasher bags, $10;stasherbag.com
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Kitchen: Eliminate Single-Use Plastic
“We have to start looking at our plastic footprint, because every piece of plastic ever created still exists,” warns Laurie David, coauthor ofImagine It! A Handbook for a Happier Planet.“Exchange plastic wrap and bags with reusable containers.”
Buy It!Stasher bags, $10;stasherbag.com
06of 25Kitchen: Get a Greener Clean"Use natural, 100 percent readily biodegradable, phosphate-free cleaning supplies,” advises Sacha Dunn, founder ofCommon Good,a plant-based line of household products. Alternatively, make your own all-purpose solution in a spray bottle with a half cup of white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of baking soda and water.
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Kitchen: Get a Greener Clean
“Use natural, 100 percent readily biodegradable, phosphate-free cleaning supplies,” advises Sacha Dunn, founder ofCommon Good,a plant-based line of household products. Alternatively, make your own all-purpose solution in a spray bottle with a half cup of white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of baking soda and water.
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Laundry: Wash the ‘Right’ Way
08of 25Laundry: Try an Eco-Friendly Detergent"Those huge jugs of detergent—which contain mostly water—don’t biodegrade, and a lot of carbon is expended in shipping them,” says David. “Switch to laundry sheets or strips or detergent pods made from plant-based materials instead of plastics.“Buy It!TruEarth laundry strips, $20;tru.earth
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Laundry: Try an Eco-Friendly Detergent
“Those huge jugs of detergent—which contain mostly water—don’t biodegrade, and a lot of carbon is expended in shipping them,” says David. “Switch to laundry sheets or strips or detergent pods made from plant-based materials instead of plastics.”
Buy It!TruEarth laundry strips, $20;tru.earth
09of 25Bathroom: Buy a BidetGetty"The average American uses as much as three rolls of toilet paper a week,” says Kellogg. That’s 27,000 trees down the toilet every day. “A $50 bidet attachment is greener, cleaner, and saves money.” (TryTushy, a brand making the bidet cool!)
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Bathroom: Buy a Bidet
“The average American uses as much as three rolls of toilet paper a week,” says Kellogg. That’s 27,000 trees down the toilet every day. “A $50 bidet attachment is greener, cleaner, and saves money.” (TryTushy, a brand making the bidet cool!)
10of 25Bathroom: Rethink Your Toilet Paper"Buy toilet paper that is 100 percent postconsumer recycled material or renewable material like bamboo,” says Dunn. “These brands also come packed in paper, not plastic, and most donate to good causes, like improving hygiene in developing nations.“Buy It!Cloud Paper, $28 for 24 rolls;cloudpaper.co
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Bathroom: Rethink Your Toilet Paper
“Buy toilet paper that is 100 percent postconsumer recycled material or renewable material like bamboo,” says Dunn. “These brands also come packed in paper, not plastic, and most donate to good causes, like improving hygiene in developing nations.”
Buy It!Cloud Paper, $28 for 24 rolls;cloudpaper.co
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Bathroom: Reduce Your Water Usage
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Bedroom: Give Your Bed a Makeover
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Bedroom: Dial It Down
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Bedroom: Weatherize Your Windows
15of 25Bedroom: Bring the Outside InGetty"Consider growing a few houseplants as natural air purifiers,” says Christine Liu, author ofSustainable Home. Fiddle-leaf figs and snake plants, which produce lots of oxygen, are popular and attractive options.
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Bedroom: Bring the Outside In
“Consider growing a few houseplants as natural air purifiers,” says Christine Liu, author ofSustainable Home. Fiddle-leaf figs and snake plants, which produce lots of oxygen, are popular and attractive options.
16of 25Bedroom: Limit Fast FashionGetty"One pair of jeans uses cotton that needs 1,800 gallons of water to produce,” says Dunn. “That cotton also uses fertilizer and pesticides that are toxic to aquatic life. Instead of buying a cheap piece of clothing for one season and then tossing it, invest in pieces you’ll wear for years or buy vintage.”
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Bedroom: Limit Fast Fashion
“One pair of jeans uses cotton that needs 1,800 gallons of water to produce,” says Dunn. “That cotton also uses fertilizer and pesticides that are toxic to aquatic life. Instead of buying a cheap piece of clothing for one season and then tossing it, invest in pieces you’ll wear for years or buy vintage.”
17of 25Garden: Get GrowingGetty"There’s a social movement called Food Not Lawns that encourages using your green space to create food self-sufficiency," explains Kellogg. “Growing your own vegetables is important because the carbon footprint of getting food to your plate is high.” Don’t have a green thumb? Start with an herb garden, and add to your repertoire as you learn more.
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Garden: Get Growing
“There’s a social movement called Food Not Lawns that encourages using your green space to create food self-sufficiency,” explains Kellogg. “Growing your own vegetables is important because the carbon footprint of getting food to your plate is high.” Don’t have a green thumb? Start with an herb garden, and add to your repertoire as you learn more.
18of 25Garden: Use Your RainwaterGetty"Only 0.007 percent of the water on our planet is available for drinking," says Kellogg. “There’s no reason to use fresh water for your lawn and flowers. Capture rain in barrels and use that gray water.” A DC Urban Gardeners survey estimates you’ll save $35 on your water bill during summer months.
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Garden: Use Your Rainwater
“Only 0.007 percent of the water on our planet is available for drinking,” says Kellogg. “There’s no reason to use fresh water for your lawn and flowers. Capture rain in barrels and use that gray water.” A DC Urban Gardeners survey estimates you’ll save $35 on your water bill during summer months.
19of 25Garden: Be Friendly to BeesGettyWeed killers, insecticides and other chemicals wreak havoc on the bee population, which is responsible for 80 percent of crop pollination worldwide. “We can become advocates for them instead of letting them die,” says David, who suggests planting milkweed and brightly colored flowers to attract bees.
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Garden: Be Friendly to Bees
Weed killers, insecticides and other chemicals wreak havoc on the bee population, which is responsible for 80 percent of crop pollination worldwide. “We can become advocates for them instead of letting them die,” says David, who suggests planting milkweed and brightly colored flowers to attract bees.
20of 25Garden: Pass on GrassGetty"Lawns require a lot of water, pesticides and fertilizer to thrive in most environments," says Dunn. Consider replacing or reducing yours: “Native ground covers, shrubs and flowers remove the need for chemicals— and mowing—creating a bird- and bee-friendly garden that requires much less water.”
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Garden: Pass on Grass
“Lawns require a lot of water, pesticides and fertilizer to thrive in most environments,” says Dunn. Consider replacing or reducing yours: “Native ground covers, shrubs and flowers remove the need for chemicals— and mowing—creating a bird- and bee-friendly garden that requires much less water.”
21of 25Garage: Find a New Way to RollGettyMake sure your garage is well-insulated—extreme cold or heat can transfer to your house and affect your energy usage. And as for the car you park there? It’s burning fossil fuels, also known as greenhouse gases, and releasing them into the air, says Dunn. “These gases build up and trap heat in the atmosphere—the basis of climate change. Instead of driving, ride a bike. If you have to drive, try to carpool.” Says Kellogg: “I like to implement a 30-minute rule. If it’s less than a 30-minute walk, I walk or bike.”
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Garage: Find a New Way to Roll
Make sure your garage is well-insulated—extreme cold or heat can transfer to your house and affect your energy usage. And as for the car you park there? It’s burning fossil fuels, also known as greenhouse gases, and releasing them into the air, says Dunn. “These gases build up and trap heat in the atmosphere—the basis of climate change. Instead of driving, ride a bike. If you have to drive, try to carpool.” Says Kellogg: “I like to implement a 30-minute rule. If it’s less than a 30-minute walk, I walk or bike.”
22of 25Living Room: Invest in Sustainable FurnitureGetty"Traditional furniture uses renewable and nonrenewable resources, as wellas a host of toxic chemicals like polyurethane, glues, paint, flame-retardant and stain-resistant coatings," says Dunn. “Those can end up in the environment for many years. Look for manufacturers who use sustainable raw materials, do not contribute to deforestation and avoid toxic chemicals.”
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Living Room: Invest in Sustainable Furniture
“Traditional furniture uses renewable and nonrenewable resources, as wellas a host of toxic chemicals like polyurethane, glues, paint, flame-retardant and stain-resistant coatings,” says Dunn. “Those can end up in the environment for many years. Look for manufacturers who use sustainable raw materials, do not contribute to deforestation and avoid toxic chemicals.”
23of 25Living Room: Find a Better BulbGettyReplace traditional light bulbs with LED bulbs. “Not only do LED bulbs last up to 40 times longer than incandescents, but they are also 60 percent to 75 percent more energy efficient,” says Dunn.
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Living Room: Find a Better Bulb
Replace traditional light bulbs with LED bulbs. “Not only do LED bulbs last up to 40 times longer than incandescents, but they are also 60 percent to 75 percent more energy efficient,” says Dunn.
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Living Room: Beware of Vampire Power
25of 25Living Room: Monitor Your MailGetty"Start your own personal junk mail war," says Johnson. “Cancel your phone directories and sign up for e-bills and statements.” Recycle the rest to help limit the 5.6 million tons of mail that ends up in landfills annually.
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Living Room: Monitor Your Mail
“Start your own personal junk mail war,” says Johnson. “Cancel your phone directories and sign up for e-bills and statements.” Recycle the rest to help limit the 5.6 million tons of mail that ends up in landfills annually.
source: people.com
