Simple Steps to Save the Environment

In this post I like to write about some simple habits and daily changes you can make to reduce the impact you have on the environment. Given the drastic and long lasting impact of  environmental pollution I believe that it is the duty of all members of the society to do what they can to protect the Environment. Most of these habits can help you to reduce the amount of trash you produce, protect natural resources and even save you some money. Here are  some simple ways to protect the environment. 

Switch to Reusable Products instead of using Disposable Products.

1. Use a reusable water bottle instead of buying plastic water bottles 

2. Use Cloth or Canvas Shopping Bags instead of taking home Plastic Shopping  Bags

3.Use Reusable produce bags for fruits, vegetables

4. Use a Glass or Stainless Steel Lunch boxes

5.Use Re-chargeable Batteries

6. Use cloth handkerchiefs and cloth napkins  instead of tissues or paper towels

(i.e. basically stop using one time use disposable items and switch to reusable alternatives)

Save Electricity

1. Turn off all electrical appliances when not in use.

2. Unplug charging cords from the wall plug to prevent ‘vampire electricity’ use.

3. Use Solar Panels (if it is within your budget to do so).

4. Use energy efficient electric appliances in your home.

5. Turn off computers when you leave the office at the end of the day.

6.Use energy efficient bulbs such as LED bulbs and CFL bulbs in your home and office.

7.Encourage your local authorities to look for more sustainable ways of producing electricity such as Using Solar or Wind Power Stations.

8.Place work/study desks, kitchen counters and dinning tables in a place where you get a lot of natural sun light. 
9. Air dry clothes instead of using electric dryers.
10.Iron full loads of clothes once a week instead of ironing a few items at a time.

Save Water 

1. Stop any garbage being dumped in waterways and rivers

2. Install Low flow taps and shower heads

3. Install a rainwater tank for the garden 

4.Use less toxic cleaning supplies and use natural alternatives

5. Fix all broken taps and pipes to prevent water from leaking.

6. Wash full loads in the washing machine and switch to an energy efficient model if you can.

Reduce Paper Usage 

1. Opt for paper less bills and switch to online bill payments

2. Print both sides of the paper

3. Recycle old paper products

4. Borrow books from the library or switch to reading e-books

5. Read news online instead of buying the paper

6. Don't accept any paper flyers or any junk mail

7. Use papers which have been printed on one side for rough paper or for sketches or for kids drawings.

8.When buying printer-paper buy from companies which use sustainable practices

9. Don't Print documents unless you absolutely have to

10. Don't print handouts of presentations and email a copies of the presentation to the group.

11. Use the note app on your phone to type out random notes  and doodles instead of using a paper note book.

Transport

1.Walk (it's good for your health and your wallet)
2.Use Public Transport
3.Carpool with your colleagues when travelling to work.

Reduce Garbage 

1.Adopt the 3 R system- Reduce Reuse and Recycle  and if you want to take it a bit further and adopt a Zero Waste Lifestyle Adopt the 5 R system Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Re purpose and Recycle.

2. Switch to reusable products

3. Sort your garbage before disposing it

4. Have a compost bin in your garden

5.Bulk buy ingredients and use reusable containers

6. Avoid buying items with plastic packaging as much as possible

7. Re purpose plastic containers

8. Avoid getting plastic straws, plastic cutlery and paper napkins when you are buying take away food.

10. Bring your own reusable coffee cup and stop buying paper coffee cups.
11. Repair items 
12.Dispose of old electronics, batteries, laptops and phones is a environmentally responsible manner
13. Donate, Re purpose or Recycle items that you no longer need. 

It is important to stress the importance of protecting and saving the environment and adapting practices for sustainable use of non-renewable natural resources.   

These habits and tips are easy to adopt as a part of your daily routine and will have a great impact on the environment in the long run. Make it a point to become conscious and intentional about what you buy and what you choose to bring in to your life. Protect the environment and its resources for the present and future generations.

You may also like to read Simple Eco-friendly habits for Daily Life