I really try to live a greener life, to have as little impact on the planet as possible. It’s not always easy and sometimes when doing the green thing takes longer or is more work, I’ll slip back into my neglectful ways. There are simple things you can do to reduce your family’s impact at home, things that don’t require a lot of thought and effort which means you will actually do them.
The easiest thing is to implement meatless Mondays, or really any day you want, but one meatless day a week.
Swap our your cleaners. As you run out of your favorite chemical laden spray, try a home remedy. They are much cheaper and better for your family. Adding one meat free meal to your family’s weekly menu has the same impact as driving a hybrid.
When buying meat look for sustainably raised meat. This usually means free range, no antibiotics, and no hormones.
Upgrade the insulation in your home. This will keep the warm or hot air in and cut your bills as well.
Take off your shoes at the door. When you think about all the things you walk through every day, everything from animal urine to lawn fertilizers, you will be glad you aren’t dragging all of that across your carpet and floors.
Stop microwaving plastic. Try to use glass or ceramic anytime you are heating anything in the microwave. Heating plastic can cause it to leech hormone disrupting compounds.
When cleaning closets or getting rid of household items don’t add them to the landfill load. Donate them instead, someone else can get use out of them and you get a tax write off.
Choose fragrance free products, if you must have fragrance, find ones that use essential oils.
This is a start, there is so much more we can do but every journey begins with a single step.