Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

If you’re looking for a way to have a positive impact on the environment, there are several simple ways to do this. Luckily, you can help the environment while also making a healthy change in your own life. Here are some of the top ways to save resources.

Cut Out Red Meat and Dairy

Cattle are known for being extremely difficult on the environment. Of food sources, beef and dairy are the biggest culprits in the creation of greenhouse gases. It might be difficult to cut these foods out of your diet all at once, so feel free to slowly eat less of these products until you no longer miss them. If the thought of eliminating beef and dairy from your diet is too much to bear, consider only eating these products on certain days of the week, like the weekends. You can still have a big positive impact without giving up these foods entirely.

Eliminate Food Wastage

Understanding and eliminating food wastage is a huge way for you to make a difference and also save money. Each day in America, uneaten food at restaurants is thrown away, and grocery stores also toss a lot of perfectly usable food. Although we can’t stop this wastage on our own, we can choose to not buy more than we need to ensure that every bit of food purchased is used.

Reduce Your Egg Intake

The negative impact of the egg industry on the environment is enormous. Large-scale egg farming is also inhumane, as even eggs labeled “cage-free” are likely to be produced in overcrowded hen houses. There are several great egg alternatives available, so if you eat a lot of products that include eggs, you should be able to find something that tastes like the real deal. If you love mayo and cookie dough, hamptoncreek makes delicious and sustainably produced eggless mayo and cookie dough. For inspiration on what to make, visit their Facebook page to find new recipes.

Grow Your Own Food

Whether you live on acreage, in a suburban neighborhood, or an apartment, there are ways to grow your own food. If you have an apartment, you can grow something small like beans. When you have more space, like a backyard, there are plenty of options for you to get started on growing. Do a little research or pick up a book on gardening, and start down the path towards knowing exactly where your food came from. When you have an abundance of vegetables that you grew yourself, you’ll also be more likely to incorporate plenty of veggies into your diet.

Walk or Bike When You Can

If you live close to your office or the grocery store, take every opportunity to walk or ride a bike instead of driving. You’ll save money on gasoline, cut down on emissions, and also increase your fitness.

Hang Dry Your Clothes

Dryers use a lot of energy, and it doesn’t make sense to use the dryer every day when you can get the same effect by simply hanging your clothes to dry. If you have space, set up a clothesline in the backyard to let the sun dry your clothes. You’ll soon notice a difference in your energy bill, and you’ll feel good knowing that you’re saving energy.

Recycle

The green initiative is gaining momentum, and luckily, more cities are starting to take notice and provide recycling services. When you’re at home or at the office, make sure to recycle materials like glass and plastic, so you cut down on the amount of waste that your household or office produces.

Reduce Water Wastage

Make every effort to keep showers brief, and turn off water faucets while you’re brushing your teeth in order to save water. By shortening your showers by just a few minutes, you’ll save gallons of water.

Conclusion
 
If you’re looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint to help create a more sustainable society, there are several things you can do immediately to reduce your impact. If your diet consists of a lot of animal products, try to cut those out of your diet a few times a week to start, until you’re more comfortable transitioning to a plant-based diet. Similarly, if you have space, growing your own food to cut down on transport costs is an excellent way to save money and gain the peace of mind from knowing where your food came from.