8 Easy Ways To Become More Eco-Friendly

 I thought that maybe today I could try a new kind of topic and challenge myself, but still talk about something really important. So in today's article, I wanted to share with you little things we can do to try to be more eco-friendly on an everyday basis. I have been really trying to inform myself on this topic and found out that there are plenty of things we can change about our routines that won't make big difference to our everyday life but will have a huge positive impact for the environment!

So let's just start with this article!

1. Turn it off

I am guilty of shutting down my laptop once I'm done with work for the day but keep it plugged in, or leaving my phone charging while I'm sleeping. While this might not sound terrible for most of you, it actually is!Even if we are not using a certain electronic device, leaving it plugged in still consumes energy. So I challenge us all to be more mindful about the electrical energy we might be just wasting without knowing.

Also, a more basic one but actually really common, don't turn on the lights of the rooms you are not using! Try to take advantage of natural light as much as possible, and once it gets dark outside, only turn on the lights you actually need in the room you are currently in!

PRO TIP: If you can, use LED light bulbs. If you live alone, replace your normal light bulbs for LED ones, and if you live with your family, bring it up to your parents! Not only do they last longer than conventional bulbs but are more efficient, as they use less power and you don't have to replace them as often!

2. Get a reusable water bottle

Purchase water bottles that you can refill instead of tossing out a new bottle every time you are down with it, ready for the next one. Reusable water bottles can vary in price but if you are not willing to spend money on it, just keep one you bought and keep refilling it.

This will not only be amazing for the environment but also for your health: carrying around with you a water bottle will help you stay hydrated as it will become a constant reminder for you to drink water.

You can apply this tip to travel mugs and tumblers, and avoid drinking your coffee from plastic cups for example!

3. Bring your own bags

Instead of using plastic bags, use totes! Not only are they good for the environment but they are also so much stronger than the usual plastic bag so you can carry more things at once. This tip can apply to whatever you are buying, groceries, supplies for your classes, etc. If the person at the store asks you if you want a plastic bag, just kindly reject it and use your tote (or if you are just buying a couple of things, put them in your bag and problem solved!)

PRO TIP: Always carry with you a tote in your bag so that if you happen to buy something that you didn't plan on, you won't need a plastic bag!

4. Water

Do you leave the water running while doing your skin care routine? Do you enjoy warm showers so you let the water heat up before jumping in? These are things we might do without really thinking how much water we are wasting. So always close the tap when you are not actually using the water while doing the dishes, brushing your teeth, etc.

I once heard someone say that they were really trying their best to be conscious about not wasting water but they couldn't even think of taking a cold shower. So this girl started placing a bucket to catch all the water until the shower became warm enough for her, and later on, she would use that water to water her plants. It might sound silly but I actually thought it was a really good idea! She found a way to don't suffer from cold showers but still don't waste water. I wanted to share this story with you because I want you to take this "tips" I'm giving you and apply them to your lifestyle in a way that works for you.

5. Don't drive to places

Whether you have a car or not, try to avoid using it unnecessarily. If you are not too far away from your destination, just walk there, it is great exercise, as well as exposure to fresh air and vitamin D! If the distance doesn't allow you to walk there, use a bike or public transport!

6. Don’t overfill your kettle

This might sound like a random one but overfilling your kettle is a waste of both energy and water. The best way to ensure you are boiling just enough water is to actually fill your cup(s) first and then pour that water into your kettle and boil it. So easy, right?

7. Avoid aerosol sprays

Cleaning products, beauty products, deodorant, etc... There are options for all of them, so it should be easy for you to stay away from aerosol sprays.

PRO TIP: When it comes to cleaning products, you can google some home-made recipes as well, which will save you money and prevent chemicals to go down the drain into the water!

8. Save paper

We all use paper but I think that we students can really relate to this one! The best way to avoid paper altogether is by bringing a laptop or tablet to take notes in class. Now, I know not everyone can afford this, or maybe they are not allowed to by your school, or simply, if you are like me, actually need to write things down in order to remember them. If that's the case for you, here's what you could also do:

Always use the back of your paper, for random notes, ideas, to-do lists, etc

Instead of notebooks, use refillable binders

When printing, always double check the document in order to avoid misprints (but if they happen, you can always use the paper as stated in the first item!)

PRO TIP: Once you are down with your classes, you will end up with books and unnecessary papers that might be helpful for someone else taking that class in the future. Instead of throwing it all away, see if you can relocate this paper material by just selling it or giving it away to other students (which will also prevent them from buying and wasting more paper later on).

That's it for today's article! I know it was kind of different but I hope you still enjoyed it! If you found these tips helpful, share this article with your friends to inspire them to start making these little changes and become more eco-friendly!