22 Ways You Can Help the Environment This Year

Do you feel a pang of regret when you have to toss that wilting bag of spring mix or the lemons you could have sworn you bought just a few days ago? Learning how to properly store your fresh produce so it lasts longer will benefit both nature and your wallet, as it can help you reduce waste!

Plastic cutlery, straws, cling wrap and sandwich bags can all be swapped for reusable and eco-friendly alternatives. Bamboo utensils, metal straws, beeswax wraps and silicone sandwich bags are just a few options that will help divert plastic from landfills. 

Taking advantage of city bikes, buses, subways, trains and streetcars can help minimize carbon emissions. Where to begin? Before ordering a cab or hopping into your own car, see if you can take public transit instead — especially for long commutes or non-urgent errands.

Each load of laundry can use up to 20 gallons of water. To cut down on water usage, stick to washing the essentials. This means tossing your sweaty gym clothes and undergarments in the bin, but holding off on the denim jeans or sweatshirt you wore for only a few hours. 

Certain electronics, such as laptop chargers, speakers, game consoles, and printers, can suck up energy even if they aren't being used. To minimize this, simply unplug your electronics or use a smart power strip to easily turn off multiple electronics at once. 

Prepping your meals ahead of time is a way you can easily reduce food waste. Try reserving some time each Sunday for cooking and meal-prepping and see how planning your meals ahead can have a positive impact on your mood, your health, your wallet and the planet!

These days, it’s common to replace broken items instead of getting them fixed. From kitchen appliances to clothes and furniture, call the mechanic or seamstress before clicking “add to cart”. Fixing or repairing your broken items will help extend their life!

It’s easy to use an excessive amount of plastic during that time of the month! Using silicone menstrual cups, reusable cotton pads, period undies and compostable wipes can all help reduce the plastic that is thrown into the bin during your period.

Take an hour (or two) to clean out your closet and make a donation pile for the items you don’t use anymore. Clothes, shoes, jackets and jewelry can all be donated to local charities or secondhand shops that divert waste in landfills. 

There are many ways you can incorporate renewable energy into your lifestyle. Driving an electric vehicle, signing up for solar panels, sourcing a green energy provider and swapping in LED light bulbs are just a few great ways to green up your energy usage.

Believe it or not, you don’t need a large following to be an environmental activist! Educating yourself through research, attending peaceful protests, donating money and reaching out to your local political representatives are all great ways to be an eco-activist in your community.

Conducting a simple trash audit for a whole week can help you understand just how much garbage you’re producing. Record your trash each day and when the week is up, take note of where you could improve and ask yourself if you could make any sustainable swaps to reduce waste.

Prominent eco-activists provide a wealth of knowledge through websites, documentaries and books. Jane Goodall, David Attenborough, Paul Hawken and Greta Thunberg are all fantastic environmental activists that you can learn from.  

Digital options for bank statements, newspapers, magazines and tickets are available for those who prefer to go paperless. There are also many online resources that you can use to remove your name from mailing lists. Reducing the paper in your mailbox is an easy way to save trees!

Volunteering at local eco-restoration events is a great way to expand your social circle, get active, and of course, help the environment! Google your local environmental organization to find an event near you.

If you’re unable to volunteer your time, donate to an organization that is doing great work. Naturally, our favorite recommendation is planting a tree with us, which will help the environment for years to come.

Did you know that swapping out the milk in your morning cereal can have a positive environmental impact? Reach for plant-based alternatives such as oat or soy milks that require less land, water and emissions for production.

Do you keep the water running when you brush your teeth, or your car idling when you run into a store? You're not alone, but try to change your habits and take note of the little things you can do to save energy or reduce carbon emissions. 

You don’t need to be a teacher to educate youth on climate change and sustainability! Watch educational documentaries, read books and discuss important environmental topics with your kids or young relatives to teach them how they can work towards a greener future and make a positive impact. 

You may already know that taking shorter showers, reducing laundry loads and hand washing dishes can help you reduce water usage.  But did you know that eating less meat also reduces water usage? Swap your burger for a grain bowl the next time you’d like to make an eco-friendly choice! 

Put your money where your mouth is and invest in a greener future! You can do this by buying renewable energy stocks from companies that use wind, solar and hydroelectric sources. With the world moving away from carbon-based fossil fuels, investing in clean energy is a wise move for your portfolio and the planet.

If you’ve noticed that your favorite brands have unsustainable business practices, you can help change their ways! When enough people show their desire for eco-friendly solutions, brands are more likely to consider them to keep their customers happy. Don’t be afraid to send out that email and start a conversation!