22 Ways That You Can Help the Environment in 2022

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

Plastic cutlery, straws, cling wrap and sandwich bags can all be swapped out for reusable and eco-friendly alternatives. Bamboo utensils, metal straws, beeswax wraps and silicone sandwich bags are all great 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’re able to take public transit instead — especially for long commutes or non-urgent errands.

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

Certain electronics such as laptop chargers, speakers, game consoles and printers can suck up energy when they’re plugged in but not in use. To minimize this, simply unplug your electronics or use a smart power strip to easily turn off multiple electronics at once when you’re not using them. 

Prepping your meals ahead of time is a simple way that 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 more common to replace items that we’ve broken 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 pretty 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 closets and make a donation pile for the items that you don’t use anymore. Clothes, shoes, jackets and jewelry in good condition can all be donated to local charities or secondhand shops that divert waste in landfills. 

There are many ways that 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 trash.

Many 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! Ready to get your hands in the dirt? Check out our volunteers page to sign up for a tree planting event near you! 

If you’re unable to volunteer your time, consider swapping out that takeout latte for a homemade one and donating the difference to one of our many tree planting initiatives plant a tree that will help the environment for generations 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 that 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 all help save on water usage.  But did you know that reducing meat consumption also reduces water usage? Swap out 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!