Join us in celebrating Earth Day every day by incorporating these simple ideas, swaps, and activities into your everyday life
- Going somewhere? If possible, walk, carpool, ride a bike, or use public transportation
- Remember to bring your reusable grocery bags.
- While you’re at it, use reusable produce bags too!
- Hang your laundry instead of putting it in the dryer
- Pack your lunch, and cut the disposable plastic bags out of your lunchbox
- Turn off the lights when you leave the room
- Replace super bright lights with softer lights like string lights. Ah, ambiance.
- Host a clothing swap party
- Just hanging out? Don’t let your car idle – Turn it off 🙂
- Skip the straw (or if you need one, carry your own reusable steel straw)
- Use one menstrual cup instead of hundreds of tampons.
- While you’re at it, opt for reusable liners and pads instead of disposables
- Avoid to-go containers when going out to eat… share a meal or bring your own take-home container for leftovers
- Support your local farms. Not only will your food probably be more fresh, but local food has to travel less distance to get to you using less fuel.
- On the fence? Go ahead, skip that shower 😉
- Install a low-flow showerhead, or take a “navy shower”
- Shop smart – don’t buy something you’re not 100% in love with. Literally TONS of unwanted clothing and other items end up in landfills every day. Yep, even those things that you donate.
- Unplug your electronics when not in use. Anything that has a light on when it’s “off” is still using electricity.
- Get the junk out of your trunk – cutting excess weight out of your vehicle will improve fuel efficiency … Vrooom!
- Regrow or grow your own food
- Switch to this incredible plastic-free dish soap – no bottles required!
- Say bye-bye to plastic water bottles for good – & bring your own water bottle
- Skip the elevator and take the stairs: … you’ll get that cardio too!
- Bring your own reusable cup to your favorite coffee shop or make coffee at home
- Never buy a product with microbeads (little plastic balls that get into our waterways). Choose a natural exfoliant instead.
- Ditch the chemical-filled dryer sheets and switch to reusable wool dryer balls
- Think about the life cycle of a product before you buy it. Usually less processed = more eco-friendly. Before buying something, think about its journey. What did it take to make this product? How long will I use this for? What happens to it when I’m done with it?
- Borrow instead of buy – especially items you may rarely use like a kayak or specific power tool. See if your area has a lending library.
- Ditch plastic sandwich and snack bags and switch to reusable lunchtime bags or BeesWraps
- Choose foods with less packaging. Hit the bulk bins with your reusable bulk bin bags
- When buying produce, opt for produce that doesn’t come in unnecessary plastic
- Choose a Coral Reef Friendly Sunscreen
- Swap your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo toothbrush
- Make your own plastic-free popsicles
- Pack a reusable utensil set in your purse or bag so you won’t need to take plastic cutlery
- Unplug. Take a hike, explore nature, admire Earth’s beauty!
- Stop buying cling wrap and use beeswax wraps instead
- Finish up your plastic shampoo bottles and then switch to shampoo bars
- Choose plastic-free toothpaste in a metal tube or tooth powder in a glass jar
- Eat more plants, less meat, and less processed foods
- Make your fitness routine greener
- Take another second before clicking Print. Could you save that document as a PDF instead?
- Try not to fly often, but when/if you do, make your next flight as green as possible
- Repair something that’s broken. Rather than replacing it, fix it!
- Be mindful about water use. For example, you can use leftover water for boiling vegetables to water your plants (once it has cooled).
- Got Food Waste? What does your house seem to toss out frequently? Lettuce? Milk? Consider buying less of those items or including them into your meals more to reduce waste
- Switch to paperless billing
- Make sure your home is energy efficient
- Switch to plastic-free bar soap instead of liquid soaps
- Remember, your purchase has power. Whenever you buy something remember that you’re supporting the practices of that company. Being a mindful consumer is one of the biggest ways you can not only be eco-friendly in your own home but have a lasting effect on the future of the planet <3
If you enjoyed this post, you can support our blog with a purchase from Eco Girl Shop or by sharing this post with a friend or on social media. Thanks so much for reading and for celebrating the Earth with us! Wishing you a very green Earth Day! <3
