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If you are like many other families, you are looking to lead a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Switching to an eco-friendly lifestyle is beneficial to the environment because you are working to save energy, water and paper. In most cases, an eco-friendly lifestyle is also healthier and more budget-friendly for your family. It may feel easier said than done to get everyone on board with living green. Luckily, you do not have to make too many major lifestyle changes to lead an eco-friendly lifestyle. Here are several simple ways your family can be more eco-friendly.
Wash Your Laundry On Cold
It is no secret that laundry is a never-ending cycle in families, but you do not have to skip laundry day to be eco-friendly. All you need to do is wash your laundry in cold water whenever possible. The cold water is still going to clean your laundry, but you are doing laundry in a way that conserves water. Of course, you should read the tags to ensure it is safe to wash certain items on the cold cycle.
Collect Rainwater For Gardening
Another idea is to collect rainwater in barrels, buckets and watering cans to use for gardening. This way, you can water your flowers and plants with rainwater instead of using water from the faucet or hose. It is best to leave the containers within reach to prepare for an unexpected rainfall. Harvesting rainwater is also a great way to teach your children to appreciate the environment.
Explore The World of Composting
There is no better time than the present to introduce your family to the world of composting. Compost is a mixture of ingredients that fertilize and enhance the soil. You can use it in your garden or drop it off at your local farmer’s market. Compost includes natural ingredients such as fruit, vegetables, nutshells, eggshells and coffee grounds.
Take The Steps To Conserve Energy
It is important to take the steps to conserve energy when switching to an eco-friendly lifestyle. This way, you are not wasting important resources. You can conserve energy by turning off electronics and lights as needed, looking into energy-efficient appliances and switching to lithium ion batteries. You can find an excellent company that offers energy-saving batteries for vehicles, which is perfect if you still need to drive often.
Walk To Destinations Whenever Possible
It may not be possible to give up driving altogether when you have a family that needs to get to school, work, appointments and activities. However, you should still walk as much as possible to reduce your carbon footprint. If your child needs to meet with their soccer team in the park that is just a 10-minute walk from your home, you can use this as an opportunity to get in some exercise while saving gas and reducing air pollution.
Reduce The Paper Documents You Use
In a world where most documents are digital, you can start reducing the paper documents you receive and use. Start by switching to online bill paying and bank e-statements. You can also use digital documents, clouds and flash drives for work and school purposes. There are even applications for making lists, and you can read your favorite books and magazines on special devices. Switching to digital documents means fewer trees need to be cut down and turned into paper.
Switch Out Disposable For Reusable
There are several disposable items that can be switched to reusable items. Use a reusable water bottle instead of plastic bottles to stay hydrated. Reusable tote bags can take the place of paper and plastic bags in various stores. You should also use your plates, cups and utensils instead of disposable dinnerware. If you need to use disposable dinnerware, this should only be done at large gatherings. You can even buy containers for sandwiches and snacks instead of using too many plastic snack bags, which is great for making on-the-go lunches.
Conclusion
It may seem difficult to get your whole family to start living green, but switching to an eco-friendly lifestyle is not impossible. You can make simple changes such as harvesting rainwater and using reusable water bottles, or you can make a bigger change by looking into energy-efficient appliances. When you make the change to an eco-friendly lifestyle, you are teaching your children how to take care of the world around them.
