If there is one good thing that came out of COVID-19, it is that the earth is thriving again. Due to limited human exploitation of the environment, the skies are clearer and bluer than ever. Animals are coming out of their hiding spots to momentarily enjoy some time without humans nearby. It is insane how just a few months have had drastic changes on our environment.
When we go back to our normal lives, let’s use this pandemic as a reminder that our actions can have huge negative impacts on the environment. Do your part to protect the earth by striving to adopt a more green lifestyle. Here are ten ways to live more sustainably:
- Bring reusable bags to the grocery store and clothing stores.
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Plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to decompose, and they usually end up in the ocean. This is super harmful for our buddies in the sea, so keep a reusable bag by the door or keep a few in your car to remember to use one!
- Turn off appliances and lights that aren’t in use.
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Conserve energy AND save money. Turn off the lights when you leave the room! A little action like this can go a long way.
- Plug out your chargers and lamps that aren’t in use.
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Same thinking here! Conserve and save. Make it a habit to unplug your chargers when you are done using them.
- Buy a refillable water bottle.
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Using a reusable and refillable water bottle would drastically decrease the amount of plastic in our landfills. We have to drink water every single day, so this is a perfect investment to make, and it is going to last you a long time.
- Use a metal or glass straw.
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Using a metal or glass straw is also another way to reduce plastic in our landfills and oceans. The market for sustainable straws has expanded a lot, so choose the one you prefer. These straws are perfect for any drink, including boba!
- Buy locally.
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Buying locally will decrease the waste in fossil fuels that occurs during transport, and it will also reduce congestion and pollution. Plus, the food is usually more fresh!
- Use e-tickets instead of printing out tickets for movies, flights, and concerts.
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This habit will not only help you save money on paper and ink, but it is also super quick and easy. All you have to do is save your ticket to your phone, and you are ready to go! No more remembering a paper copy, and you can save the trees while you are at it.
- For the ladies, use a diva cup instead of pads or tampons.
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Pads and tampons are pretty expensive, and since we have to use a lot of them every year, the cost can really add up. Using a diva cup is much cost-effective and environmentally friendly. You only need to change it every 12 hours, so it is also efficient for your time!
- Invest in a WaterPik instead of using floss.
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Flossing is one of those things that we are always told to do but a lot of us never actually do. It is actually really important to make it a good habit to floss every day, but using floss is harmful to the environment. A WaterPik can be expensive, but your dentist would be proud AND it is not harmful toward the environment. This solution is a perfect win-win.
- Limit your showers.
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First off, you have no one to see anyway during quarantine, so cleanliness should not be too much of an issue. Conserving water is super important and cost-effective, so try to limit yourself to one shower every other day- or even more if you can! And if you really need to shower every day, try to cut the amount of time you shower for down.
Living sustainably is important, but it is also important that you find ways to do it in a more cost effective way. These ten habits are just some of the ways you can ease into a more sustainable life that will have the earth and your wallet thanking you. Investing a bit of time and money will be super beneficial for you and the environment in the long run.