When I think about growing a “green” family, I love to share the many ways to save money and the environment at the same time. Sustainable has been used many times over the last few years instead of environmentally friendly because the carbon footprint we leave matters for generations to some. It is really easy to incorporate more sustainable habits into our daily lives that we can stick with all year long. Check out the following 7 practical pointers for going green.
1. Bring Air purifying Plants into your Home. Improve the air quality in your home by introducing plants that act as air filters, absorbing harmful gases and toxins from furniture, paints, and plastics. Peace lilies, golden pathos, and Boston ferns are only a few examples of the many plants that can help remove benzene and formaldehyde from the air in your home.
2. Shop Local, Seasonal Foods. Eating locally and seasonally means you are likely to avoid the food miles and greenhouse gas emissions associated with foods that aren’t in season and travel a long way to get to your table. In addition, seasonal foods can be less expensive and taste better. Because it is picked only when it’s naturally ripe, seasonal produce retains all the nutrients and flavor that is lost when food is harvested prematurely. If you are feeling ambitious and have space, you can even start your own vegetable garden for the most localized produce possible.
3. Start a Compost. Don’t let your fruit and veggie scraps go to waste in the landfill, where they will ultimately contribute to climate change by emitting methane. Instead, start a compost in your yard or look for programs in your community that collect organic material for composting. Compost is a natural fertilizer and can be added to your garden or potted plants.
4. Nurture Honeybees As part of your garden routine, you may also consider the wisdom of introducing beekeeping. Beekeeping and gardening go hand in hand. Many plants, such as squash, melons, strawberries, apples, cucumbers, and more, rely on bees for pollination. Raising and nurturing bees in your garden will ensure that your plants grow, reproduce, and thrive. While beekeeping can be fairly easy, you need to keep in mind that having the right tools and protective gear, like a durable beekeeping suit, will make sure you are safe while being around these hard-working creatures.
5. Swap or Donate Clothes. Swapping clothes that your kids have grown out of with other parents is a great way to share and/or get “new” clothes without purchasing anything. If you can’t think of anyone to swap with, then donating old clothes is another great option. Swapping or donating clothes helps with spring cleaning and extends the life of each item.
6. Use Non-Toxic Products. If you are taking on some serious spring cleaning, make sure you are using non-toxic cleaning materials because chemical-based supplies contribute to water pollution and can be harmful to your health. Websites and apps such as GoodGuideand EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning help to find safe and gentle cleaning products. You can also make your own with baking soda, white vinegar, and lemon.
7. Invest in an Affordable Electric Vehicle. My husband and I have been considering this option for our next vehicle, but buying a Tesla seems like a crazy high expense! Did you know that there are new 2022 and 2023 models out there which are affordable? EveeLife is full of great information about electric vehicles from how they perform in the winter to their real value. You can even find a comparison tool as well.
8. Focus on Plastic-Free Living. To minimize your negative impact on the environment, swap out plastic single-use containers and utensils for reusable non-plastic items. It can be easy to rely on single-use plastic items such as water bottles, cutlery, plates, and cups, but it creates a lot of waste that will most likely end up in a landfill (or even in the ocean)! Look for glass jars and cloth bags to carry and contain your goodies and bring silverware from home to cut down on the waste you create.
Diana leads the Nanny to Mommy blog and is Mom to an elementary aged daughter & son. She is a former Nanny and Mom living in Georgia, who thought she knew everything about raising children until she had my own. Lover of coffee, traveling, and all things Disney, she likes to share her thoughts on budget conscious parenting, traveling with kids, crafts, and family friendly recipes.
Published January 11, 2023 9:42PM
Eveelife is an eco-oriented lifestyle platform that helps consumers make more purposeful choices about how they live and what they consume. We do it by curating content and products that help them make more conscious, carbon-free choices while amplifying their EV ownership experience.
