The environment relies on us to make sustainable decisions every day and there are a lot of things we can do to live more eco-friendly lives. You don’t need to make big decisions such as selling your car or reducing your carbon footprint by moving off the grid. There are changes you can make to your lifestyle without disrupting your normal routine.

Here are some steps you can take to begin living a more planet-friendly, conscientious life.

Reduce Energy Use

One of the most important things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint is energy conservation. When you leave electrical appliances on standby, you use up needless energy. Unplug your appliances when they are not in use, lower the thermostat in the winter and raise it in the summer. These little steps will make your home energy efficient and your energy bills smaller.

Swap Plastic for Canvas Bags

Although a canvas bag may cost more money than regular plastic bags, they are very useful in saving the planet. Many stores now offer a canvas bag alternative to regular plastic and paper bags.

A canvas bag is stronger than a generic plastic or paper bag and can hold more items. It can also be reused for packing items when moving or storing items. If you cannot afford a canvas bag, you can reuse your plastic bags as an eco-friendly alternative.

Use Less Paper

Today, the world is more reliant on digital technology. It is very possible to go an entire day without needing a notebook or a piece of paper. Paper is produced from trees and the less paper you use, the fewer trees are cut down.  If you must use paper, you can still help the environment by recycling the paper used. Production of paper from used and recycled sheets takes less energy and is one of the best ways to go green.  

Cut Back on Meat Consumption

Reducing your meat consumption can have a very beneficial impact on the environment. More than 30 percent of the earth’s surface is used to support and raise livestock.  

Cutting back on your consumption of meat will go a long way in decreasing the overall emission of GWP gases. Less livestock means more land that can be used for recreation and reforestation. You can replace meat with vegetables or seafood.

Use Less Water

Reducing your bottled water purchases and using less water can help you live a more eco-friendly life. You can also take shorter showers in the morning or install a low-pressure shower head. If you live in an area where the tap water leaves a taste or it's hard water, you can invest in a water filter to reduce the metal after taste in order to purify it. Reduced water use means a smaller water bill which is beneficial for your pocket.

Starting something new can be difficult if you do not know how to go about it. Whether you want to go green to save money or help the environment, each step taken towards eco-friendly living is important and beneficial to the world.