Saving the World
Through Sustainability:
31 Easy Things You Can
Do Today

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Saving the World Through Sustainability: 31 Easy Things You Can Do Today

Taking care of our planet is important. What you do today impacts how the environment will look and feel in the future.

Knowing where to start can be tricky. A minor change here and there is a great way to transform your lifestyle. Even small changes in your daily life can greatly affect the world's wildlife and help save our planet.

You can lessen your carbon footprint by introducing a few new habits into your routine. We are sharing a few simple, sustainable practices you can start doing today.

1. Bring Reusable Bags to the Grocery Store

When you go grocery shopping, consider bringing reusable bags with you. Stores often have paper or plastic bag options. Neither of these is great for the planet.

Too often, many single-use plastic shopping bags end up in our landfills or the ocean. Any opportunity to skip using them is great. You can find a wide range of stylish and sturdy reusable grocery bags to swap in.

2. Refresh Your Recycling Knowledge

An easy way to make positive changes in your life is to refresh your understanding of recycling.

Check out your local recycling program's rules. They will share what type of products can go into your bins. You may be surprised to learn some of the items you've tossed in the trash could be recycled.

3. Skip Single-Use Plastic

Single-use plastic products are not good for our planet. They are a major source of pollution and any chance to skip them is beneficial. Making this shift could save you money too.

Some easy swaps include:

4. Save Water

The average American household uses over 300 gallons of water every day!

With these basic supplies, you'll be able to transform your old clothes into unique and stylish pieces that you'll enjoy wearing again. Now, let's get into the 10 genius ways to upcycle your old clothes! 

Many people waste a lot of water while doing daily tasks, like:

Making some small changes, like timing your showers and turning the faucet off while brushing, can help reduce how much water you use. You can also lower your water bill with these new habits.

5. Plant a Tree

Deforestation can have terrible impacts on our planet. Planting a new tree is a great way to combat the effects of logging and give back to the environment.

If you want to make a bigger impact, encourage your friends and family members to join you. The more trees we plant, the more oxygen they can provide.

6. Drive Less

Driving less is an effective way to lower your carbon footprint. The emissions from cars can harm our atmosphere. Instead of getting behind the wheel, do the following as much as possible:

You can save money on filling up your gas tank and feel good knowing you are helping the planet in a small way.

7. Replace Your Light Bulbs

Take a look at the light bulbs you are using in your home. Consider swapping out old bulbs with newer, more energy-efficient options.

You can save money on your electricity bill by opting for ENERGY STAR bulbs that use less energy.

8. Research Your Groceries

Saving the world can feel like a huge task. One of the best ways to help is by researching the products we buy.

Look up some of your favorite food and household items. See if there are any beneficial swaps you can make. Consider boycotting brands with unsafe practices that harm wildlife.

Another helpful tip is to make a list of what you have and what you need before going to the grocery store. You can remind yourself what's in your pantry and avoid overbuying.

9. Use Non-Toxic Cleaning Products

Many popular cleaning products are not good for the environment. Their toxic chemicals can get into waterways and cause harm. Everything from dish soap to surface cleaners can have bad ingredients in them.

Using more natural cleaning solutions like vinegar and baking soda can benefit the planet. They can also save you money and make your home a healthier place.

10. Cook at Home More

Cooking your meals at home can help you reduce food waste and make healthier choices. You have more control over what ingredients you use and can choose products with less packaging when you prepare your dishes.

You'll also have more options when it comes to discarded or unused ingredients. You could use a composting system. Or, if you don't use all of your items, you can save them for an upcoming recipe.

11. Repurpose Everything You Can

Avoid sending your old items to landfills by repurposing them. When something breaks, consider how you can fix it or use it for a new reason. Some easy ideas include turning an old t-shirt into a cleaning rag or using a glass bottle as a flower vase.

You can find endless do-it-yourself ideas for repurposing items in your home.

12. Eat Less Meat

Preparing meat products for grocery shelves creates a lot of waste and pollution. The meat industry makes up 57% of harmful emissions in all food production.

By cutting down on how many animal products you consume, you can help lower the demand for these items. Eating mostly meat-free and plant-based foods is better for the environment.

13. Turn Off Lights and Gadgets

Adding a few sustainable practices at home can lessen your carbon footprint. An easy way to use less energy is to turn off the lights when you leave a room. If you have a television or speaker on, turn those off too.

Do the planet and your wallet a favor by wasting less electricity.

14. Grow What You Can

Growing your own food is very beneficial for the environment. By starting a garden, you can:

Whether you have a large backyard or a window garden box, you can harvest your own fruits, vegetables and herbs. Plus, you will save some money at the grocery store each week.

15. Give Away or Sell Old Clothes

When you clean out your closet, don't throw out your unwanted clothes. Take them to a local thrift store or sell them online. Ask your friends and family members if they are interested in going through the items you no longer want.

Fashion is a huge contributor to pollution around the world. Keeping clothing items out of landfills for as long as possible is best for the environment.

16. Buy Less

Another effective way to help our planet is to buy less stuff. The fewer products we purchase, the less waste ends up in our trash bins.

By picking up only the essentials, you can save money and reduce your environmental impact. Before buying something new, ask yourself:

17. Clean Your Air Filters

You can help your heating and air conditioning units work better by cleaning the air filters a few times each year. The filters become clogged with dust and dirt from the air.

Air has a harder time passing through, and this causes the system to work harder. You can help keep your energy usage down by keeping these filters clean and replacing them as needed.

18. Wash Full Loads

A good way to waste less water and electricity is to wait for a full load before running your dishwasher or washing machine. Instead of running small loads more often, try to maximize each cycle and use your equipment less often.

19. Stop Using Paper Towels

Paper towels are not great for the environment for a few reasons. They are made from trees cut down in forest clearing operations. The plastic packaging they come in can pollute our waterways. Using them will usually lead to more household waste.

If you want to make a better choice, use cloth rags and towels to wipe up messes instead. You could also invest in reusable paper towels, which you can rewash between messes.

20. Don't Use Regular Waste Bags

Waste bags are typically made from plastic, one of the worst sources of pollution in the world.

The next time you need trash liners or dog waste bags, consider biodegradable options. They break down faster in landfills and cause less harm to the planet.

21. Use Bar Soap

When you buy liquid body wash and hand soap from the grocery store, it is typically packaged in plastic.

Bar soap is a more sustainable option because it is often wrapped in paper or cardboard. You can cut down on packaging waste and feel good knowing you are helping the environment in this way.

22. Skip the Dryer

Drying machines use a lot of energy to do their jobs. The less you use them, the more money you'll save on your utility bill.

Consider setting up a clothesline outside and letting the fresh air dry your laundry. If you don't have an outdoor space, you can use drying racks instead.

23. Learn About Composting

A great way to help out the environment is to learn about and try composting. This practice keeps waste out of our landfills and helps produce healthier soil.

You may be able to find a local composting group near you to learn more about the process. Starting a bin is easy. All you have to do is collect your food scraps and lawn trimmings.

24. Buy Groceries in Bulk

When you are buying groceries, it is beneficial to buy items in bulk when you can. You will often save money and cut down on packaging.

For example, getting a large hand soap container and using it to refill your current bottles reduces packaging waste. You won't have to buy multiple new bottles for every sink in your home.

25. Invest in Quality Items

One of the best ways to become more sustainable is to invest in quality items. Whether purchasing clothing, home decor or furniture, choosing durable pieces that will last longer is key. Too often, cheap products wear and break down faster and end up in a landfill.

When you invest in high-quality items, you can often sell them when you no longer want them. You might be able to make some or all of the money back that you spent.

26. Skip the Blow Dryer

A simple way to make your daily routine a little better for the environment is to let your hair air dry after a shower or swim.

Save your blow dryer for special occasions. These devices use excess energy and most models emit carbon dioxide while you use them.

27. Avoid Makeup Wipes

Many types of facial wipes are made of materials like polyester and rayon. They take a long time to break down in a landfill, and the plastics in them can harm marine life.

Instead of reaching for single-use makeup wipes, use a washcloth that you can toss in your washing machine and reuse many times.

28. Buy Loose Produce

The produce section of a grocery store often sells loose and packaged fruit and vegetable options.

The You can help the planet by bringing reusable produce bags with you and picking from the loose selection. This helps cut down on plastic waste. And you'll have a little more control over the quality of the items you buy. section of a grocery store often sells loose and packaged fruit and vegetable options.

29. Clean Up Litter

Litter is an environmental problem. When people toss their trash on the ground, it impacts plant growth and can cause serious harm to animals.

Consider joining a local volunteer organization that has a litter cleanup program. You can even pick up trash while on a walk in your neighborhood. Cleaning up litter is a great way to help save the planet.

30. Buy Second-Hand

Buying second-hand is a great way to keep items out of landfills and save money. The next time you go shopping, consider checking out local thrift and consignment stores. Go online and browse the wide selection of sites where you can buy used clothing and furniture.

You can reduce pollution and waste by buying previously loved items.

31. Recycle Your Old Electronics

When you don't want an old electronic anymore or it stops working, do not throw it out. Many devices have toxins in them that can harm the environment if they are sent to a landfill. They can also contain precious materials that can be used for new purposes.

Recycling your old tech is the best way to prevent it from becoming hazardous e-waste.

Recycle Your Used Phone at an ecoATM Kiosk

If you have a used cell phone lying around and want to make green lifestyle choices, turn to an ecoATM kiosk. We make it easy to sell and recycle your old device in less than 10 minutes.

We offer a responsible recycling solution so your used phone doesn't become e-waste. You can keep it out of our landfills and feel good knowing you made a better choice for the environment.

You must be 18 years old to trade in your used phone at one of over 5,000 conveniently located kiosks across America. Find your nearest ecoATM kiosk today!