100 Simple and Easy Ways to Start Going Green

Going green has its many benefits. For instance, we are giving our future descendants a better life quality just because we conserved and became responsible for the environment, especially with our limited natural resources. If we think about the long run, it won’t be too difficult to start thinking about what will happen a few years from now.

100 different ways to go green

General methods

1. Recycle

There’s nothing more classic than the way of recycling. When you reduce, reuse, and recycle items around the house, in the office, and anywhere, you’re lessening the garbage we throw into the dumpsite.

2. Minimize plastic use

When we reduce our usage of plastic, we’re also lessening what we throw into the landfill. Plastic doesn’t degrade over time and even if it does, it will take many years before doing so.

3. Support organic products

Organic products are those that were grown and made without the use of harsh chemicals and artificial whatnot. By supporting such products, you’re doing a favor to the environment in terms of going toxin-free.

4. Budget your expenses

By only buying on a certain budget, you’re reducing your likelihood of buying in excess. When you don’t buy a lot of items or don’t consume a lot of food, you are doing your part to free the landfill from excessive waste.

5. Learn composting

When you learn to compost, you’re doing a favor to the soil when it comes to its health and nourishment. Instead of going into the dumpsite, your food and organic waste will become garden nutrients.

6. Support green companies and government officials

Spot which company and government official has advocacy for going green and be sure to support them. Such entities will help save the planet one green program at a time.

7. Spread awareness about climate change

It’s not easy to convince people that climate change is real. However, you can show various scientific proof and other details that contribute to the evidence that climate change needs to be stopped.

Shopping and Transactions

8. Use eco bags

Reusable eco-bags will help reduce single-use plastic waste getting thrown into the dumpsite or the sea. The fishes and whales will thank you when you use woven eco-bags instead of reusable plastic bags.

9. Buy in bulk

If you have the budget, it’s best to buy in bulk because it will save the manufacturer a lot of time, effort, and resources in packaging your small items. For instance, it’s best to buy a big bottle of shampoo rather than buy in small sachets, which end up as water pollution. You’ll also reduce shipping hassle and fuel consumption.

10. Shop online

As mentioned above, buying in bulk reduces fuel consumption – and so does shopping online. If you simply let a delivery rider carry your groceries, it means you don’t have to gas up your car all the time.

11. Go for cashless payments

Cashless transactions not only simplify your shopping but also helps the environment. Banks don’t need to keep making paper bills and we also have less risk for spreading viruses if we go cashless.

12. Make a grocery list (and stick to it)

To avoid overspending on a grocery or shopping spree, it’s important to write down what you need to buy first. Then, if you have an extra budget, that’s when you can buy all the other extras.

13. Don’t buy too many clothes

Thousands to millions of used clothes get thrown into the dumpster each year. We can help solve this problem by not buying too many clothes, especially during this pandemic time when most of us don’t need to go outside much, anyway.

14. Go paperless with transactions

As with cashless payments, going paperless with transactions helps save the trees because we only get to keep an electronic receipt, which is enough. Many stores and offices nowadays are adapting to paperless transactions.

15. Become less materialistic

Much like with budgeting, if we think twice before we buy and simply focus on the simplest things in life, we become less materialistic, and therefore, we’re less bound to consumerism. If people become less materialistic, we begin to throw away less trash.

16. Perform inventory checks around the house often

This inventory check will let you know what you need to buy so when you get home, you won’t regret not buying this and that. Make this a routine and you’ll save trips to the grocery store.

17. Consider practical and eco-friendly gifts

When someone has a birthday, wedding, or any occasion, such as an anniversary, it’s best to go practical with the gifts that you want to give.

18. Support green cosmetic products

Many makeup companies are starting to adapt to modern times by going vegan, cruelty-free, working with sustainable formulas, and lessening or thoroughly eliminating harsh chemicals like parabens in their products.

19. Go for eco-friendly packaging

Consider shopping in a store that thinks about the environment when it comes to packaging. Some companies use recycled cartons, shredded paper, and even soy as an alternative to plastic packaging.

20. Look for alternatives to denim

Many environmentalists will tell you that the denim industry is quite water-wasting due to the many washes required, as well as the bleaching process that’s involved with it.

21. Ship out phones without the outlet

Fortunately, many companies are starting to think twice about their gadget packaging. Many of them will simply ship out the gadget or phone and not include the outlet to avoid additional e-waste.

Food

22. Consider food delivery apps

To avoid the hassle of going into the restaurant, to reduce fuel consumption, and to lessen the risk of getting the virus, many people are turning into food delivery apps for convenience.

23. Try going vegan

Veganism is more than just a trend – it may also help you go green because typically, vegan farms use organic farming as their main method, so you won’t feel guilty about harming the environment (or animals).

24. Find alternatives to palm oil

Palm oil has a negative reputation among environment buffs due to the hoarding industry that displaces orangutans and other rainforest dwellers. We think it’s better to consider other types of cooking oil instead.

25. Plan your meals to avoid spoilage

Don’t buy a lot of food that you know you can’t finish in one go – learn to plan your meals so you won’t have to deal with leftovers later on.

26. Remake leftovers

If you do end up with leftovers, there’s no worry – you can still remake them for the next day or the next meal. There are tons of recipes on the internet that allow you to improve your leftovers.

27. Go for reusable chopsticks

When going for Asian takeouts or restaurants, we think it’s eco-friendlier to go for reusable chopsticks rather than wooden ones that are disposable. Reusable chopsticks are, in the long run, more sustainable.

28. Metal straws

Same with the chopsticks method above, many milk tea, smoothie, iced coffee, and juice enthusiasts are now adapting to metal straws. They’re reusable and you’re also saving turtles and whales from plastic poisoning.

29. Plant and grow your food at home

Do you want to know a way to save up on food expenses? Try growing a vegetable or fruit garden at home. It might be tricky at first, but eventually, you’ll grow some of the most basic veggies, such as tomatoes.

30. Avoid consuming endangered or threatened species

Do research on which species in your locality are being threatened or endangered and avoid consuming them. Look for alternative species to cook instead.

31. Go for a reusable mug when on a coffee run

Reusable mugs today are more than just eco-friendly ways of having your daily coffee or milk tea fix – they also come in a plethora of colors and designs that allow individuality.

32. Ensure proper food handling to avoid spoilage

Food spoilage is sometimes caused by mishandling. If you’ve never handled a certain type of food before, always make sure to read about it first. A general rule is to always refrigerate it unless the manufacturer says it’s okay to leave it at room temperature.

33. Consider stainless steel containers

From lunch take-outs to ingredient containers, stainless steel has gone a long way. Sure, they could be expensive at first, but they’re not only durable but also eco-friendly in the long run. You also won’t taste plastic!

34. Use organic fertilizers

The use of organic fertilizers will help you feel at ease with the food you’re consuming. Artificially-created fertilizers might have some harsh chemicals.

Transportation

35. Use bikes

There’s nothing more relaxing than the wind on your face on a hot, summery day. You’ll not only feel this sensation on a bicycle – you’ll also burn a couple of carbs and you’ll reduce both air pollution and fuel consumption!

36. Consider electric or hybrid cars

If your destination is too far away for a bicycle, consider getting an electric or hybrid car. However, if you’re on a tight budget, you may also want to go for an e-bike, which is a smaller and more affordable electric car.

37. Walk to your destination

Walking not only keeps you active and physically fit but also reduces pollution and fuel consumption. If you can walk to your destination, by all means, do it!

38. Don’t drive aggressively

Driving too fast and pulling the brakes rapidly not only wears your car parts out, but it also wastes fuel even more. Keep this in mind – especially during cold winters when the road is slippery!

39. Inflate your tires properly

Did you know that you may consume more fuel if your tires aren’t inflated properly? That’s due to rolling resistance being increased.

40. Plan your trips properly

By planning where you want to go and where you need to shop or buy food from, you’ll save a lot of fuel in the long run. Make a list of your itineraries before heading out.

41. Don’t overuse your vehicle’s A/C unit

It’s great to cool down in the summer inside your car but don’t overdo it. Your car has its limits when it comes to the A/C unit. This is especially if your car still uses traditional coolants that aren’t so eco-friendly.

42. Send parcels in bulk

When you send all of your packages in one go instead of one at a time, you not only save time and effort for the delivery rider or courier, but you also reduce fuel consumption for the courier in the long run. This, in turn, also reduces air pollution.

43. Consider carpooling

Carpooling is being practiced around the world in today’s time, especially in cities where the traffic is almost immeasurable. Don’t hesitate to carpool whenever possible if you live in such cities.

44. Limit your air travel

Not only does airplane fuel cost a lot, but burning it also adds to our carbon footprint. You may want to plan your air travels to avoid going in and out too much.

45. Use the stairs when possible

Going up and down the stairs not only saves the energy needed for the elevator but also helps you burn extra calories, especially if you have a desk job.

Household and Office

46. Use fewer harsh chemicals

When possible, consider less harsh alternatives to your household items, such as laundry detergents, household cleaners, condiments, and the like.

47. Use homemade DIY stain cleaners

Most people just go with the vinegar and baking soda cleaning method for their home whenever possible. Not only does it save you a couple of dollars in the long run – but it also reduces chemicals in the air and it will save the ozone layer.

48. Use eco-friendly cat litter

When we go for eco-friendly cat litter, we are supporting a biodegradable product. Eco-friendly cat litters are also compostable (with the right conditions) so they’re ideal for garden owners, too.

49. Use wooden toothbrushes

Although we can’t take out the plastic toothbrush bristles, we can replace the plastic handle with wood and it will work just the same. This cuts down on our plastic waste in the long run.

50. Feed your pets with organic food

Pets that consume organic food will less likely develop digestive upsets. This also means less likelihood of toxic poop, which might end up on sewers, contaminate water systems, and come back to us in the form of flooding (gross!).

51. Use gentle laundry detergents

As mentioned above, going for products with little to no harsh chemicals will help the environment in terms of water pollution problems. Go for laundry detergent brands that think about nature.

52. Consider reusable toilet paper

Millions of tons of toilet paper end up in sewers and dumpsites. Toilet paper is often bleached to look white, which is also harmful to the environment. You can go green by buying reusable toilet paper instead.

53. Look for organic bath items

When shopping for bath items such as soap, shampoos, and the like, consider products that are made from organic ingredients with little to no fillers or harsh chemicals.

54. Consider bar shampoos and conditioners

What we like about bar shampoos and conditioners is that they’re travel-friendly and they have responsible packaging. They’re mostly just wrapped in recycled paper, which is biodegradable.

55. Reduce your usage of bleach

Bleach is harmful to the environment because it’s a harsh chemical. It is toxic to all kinds of living creatures, which is why many companies are either reducing or removing their bleaching process.

56. Consider non-toxic paint

Many companies are now manufacturing eco-friendly paint that not only smells good but is also eco-friendly. Non-toxic paint will help the environment and your lungs, too.

57. Look for pens without harsh chemicals

Many permanent markers have harsh chemicals, such as toluene, but there are various alternatives to choose from – and they perform just as great as the old types.

Electricity/Energy

58. Use solar power

Solar power will help save you dollars on your energy bill, whether you’re in a household or if you have a business. Solar power is especially helpful in warm or tropical countries with a lot of sun time.

59. Use LEDs

LEDs are not only energy-saving but are also less toxic to the environment compared to traditional light bulbs when you throw them out.

60. Use a programmable thermostat

A thermostat allows you to set the temperature of your A/C unit and also schedule it depending on the time of the day. You don’t want your unit to expend too much power at night or when no one’s around!

61. Eat hot foods in the winter

Sipping soups, coffee, tea, and the like will help you survive the winter without using your heater unit too much.

62. Eat cold foods in the summer

Just the same, when you consume ice cream and other cooling foods in the summer, you won’t feel too much heat and don’t have to rely on tour air conditioner too much.

63. Talk to your power service provider for business solutions

If you own a business, you can talk to your provider company to help with solutions on how to lessen your operational costs.

64. Add ventilation to your room

Sometimes, added ventilation to a room will help in the summer when the temperatures are scorching. Open up the windows from time to time so you don’t have to depend on the A/C unit all the time.

65. Plan your laundry day

Washing all your laundry in a single day will help reduce the need to use your washing machine (and dryer) in the long run.

66. Plan your ironing day

Alongside laundry day, planning to iron your clothes in one go instead of almost every single day will save energy costs.

67. Consider induction stovetops

Induction stovetops are not only easy to clean – they’re also safer because you don’t use gas, which could be dangerous. These stovetops also heat up quicker than gas or standard electric stoves, making them more energy-efficient.

68. Look for electronics with automatic shut-off

All electronics that have an automatic shut-off feature will save you a couple of cents (and eventually dollars) in the long run, especially if you use them often.

69. Dress according to the weather

This is quite common sense, but it helps to dress for the occasion so you won’t have to depend on your HVAC unit too much.

70. Keep the windows closed in the winter to avoid losing heat

Just like when you need to ventilate in the summer, you need to trap the heat indoors properly by keeping the windows and doors closed.

71. Perform maintenance on your HVAC regularly

A well-maintained HVAC system will reduce downtime and improve energy efficiency, which won’t spike up your bill.

72. Check your air conditioner filter regularly

A dirty air filter will decrease the efficiency of your air conditioner, which can increase your electric bill.

73. Consider energy-saving air conditioners and/or heaters

Look for Energy Star-rated appliances – specifically air conditioners and heaters – because these are the most used during the summer and the winter.

74. Weather-proof your house with sealants

This will help keep the temperature indoors constant and unaffected by outside factors.

75. Consider electric fans as an alternative to air conditioners

Electric ceiling fans are budget-friendlier compared to A/C units and their maintenance is also easy.

76. Hang your clothes for air-drying when possible

If the weather is sunny, take advantage by hanging your clothes instead of tossing them into the dryer.

77. Use rechargeable batteries

Instead of throwing way toxic batteries into the dumpsite, use rechargeable batteries.

78. Skip or reduce coal usage

Grilling is fun with charcoal but you may want to limit your usage to lessen our carbon footprint to save our ozone layer.

Water

79. Monitor your water usage

Check your usage to see if you need to make adjustments to your lifestyle.

80. Turn off the faucet when not in use

Self-explanatory – this is one of the easiest ways to save water for future generations.

81. Install water-saving fixtures

You may want to have a toilet flush that saves gallons of water, especially for a business establishment.

82. Plants should be watered at night or early morning

When your plants are under extreme sunlight, the water will simply evaporate fast, rendering your watering act almost useless.

83. Shorten your showers

This will help conserve your overall water usage.

For Companies and the Government

84. Manufacture recyclable containers

These containers will help reduce our landfill waste in the long run. Many companies have already resorted to such methods.

85. “Trash to cash” programs

Some stores and malls already implement such programs for the public to encourage them with proper waste segregation.

86. Make laws for better waste management

Government bodies should impose stricter rules for waste management in their locality.

87. Establish recycling facilities

To help reduce landfill waste, recycling facilities should be all over the world.

Waste Management and Reduction

88. Donate old clothes

By donating clothes you no longer need, you’re saving them from being thrown into a dumpsite.

89. Donate old toys

Old toys don’t deserve to be in a dumpster – they can be in an orphanage or shelter.

90. Put up a garage sale

Make even a bit of money for items that you no longer need – one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.

91. Manage your e-waste

Most e-waste is toxic to the environment. Talk to your locals on how to dispose of e-waste such as chargers, batteries, etc.

92.Properly handle toxic waste

Such waste should not go into regular bins because it could contaminate bodies of water and food crops.

93. Attempt repairs before disposing of anything

Before you completely toss your phone or gadget, attempt to have it repaired first to lessen our electronic waste.

94. Segregate your trash properly

This is common sense but most people still forget about it. Have different bins with proper labels to encourage proper waste segregation – whether at home or in a business establishment.

95. Wear reusable face masks

In today’s pandemic, reusable face masks made of cloth will save us from having to discard disposable face masks into the ocean, which won’t easily degrade soon (and could also cause the fishes to get sick).

96. Alter old clothes

If you have old clothes, you can have them altered or remade into something new instead of throwing them away.

97. Sell or donate old working gadgets

Outdated gadgets could still have a place in the poorest communities, so don’t hesitate to donate or sell them away!

98. Create a flower bed in a litter-prone area

People will think twice about throwing trash in an area if there are plants such as flowers and whatnot.

99. Support ocean clean-up drives

Support your local government programs or organizations in cleaning up rivers, shorelines, and the like.

100. Help manage sewers in your locality

Clogged sewers cause flooding, but you can do your part by helping in clean-up drives and being responsible for your garbage disposal.

Rachel

The Foraged Life is a space for sharing stories. From bits made from  homegrowns or hand foraged from nature to places to explore and adventure near and far.  From stories from the wild to encounters with people and the earth that point to a way of doing life that is conscious of treading lightly and lovingly.