How To Be More Green For the Planet

We only have one planet, and as you know, there is no Planet B. So, all of us must join together to do what it takes for the environment. Now, we get it. You might think that going green is tough. We’re here to tell you; it’s really not. For instance, it is as easy as donating your gently used items to a great charity partner or recycling your donated items by hosting a fundraiser. Meaning, all it takes for you to go green is a little knowledge and commitment to doing your part. Therefore, today we want to share with you our ideas for how to be more green so we can save Earth.

To make it easy for you, we’ve broken up this guide into sections. If you’re interested in a specific part, you can simply click the link to advance to it. However, you can also read the guide from start to finish so you can discover what you need to know about how to go green! Remember, we have to recycle more and landfill less.

• • • • A Reality Check: Going Green Facts
      • Easy Ways To Go Green in the Kitchen
      • How to Make Your Home More Sustainable
      • Get Environmentally Friendly At The Office
      • Teaching Children How To Go Green
      • Further Resources for Sustainable Living

A Reality Check: Going Green Facts

Some people say that climate change and issues related to the environment are the most critical social realities facing humanity. And, that could very well be the case, unfortunately. Still, before we learn more about going green, it’s vital to understand the challenge we face. Conservation International, in existence since 1987 and operating in more than 70 countries, has an easy way to understand the reality of what we face. If you visit their page, these are a few of the facts you will learn.

• So far, 2016 is the warmest year on record. And, what’s more problematic is that 18 of the warmest years have happened during the 2000s.
• More than cars, one of the ways to be green for our planet is to protect our forests. From a human-caused perspective, 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions happen through deforestation.
• The vast Amazon forest provides carbon protection, with 1% of trees closing off 50% of the carbon in the area.
• Learning how to go green means helping other people. 800 million people live in danger of floods, heatwaves, and extreme weather.
• If we all figured out ways to be green, globally, 1 billion people would get lifted from poverty, 80 million jobs would get created, and the U.S. would experience $2.3 trillion in growth.

Easy Ways To Go Green In the Kitchen

1. What you eat is also vital to sustainability, and yes, there are easy ways to go green in the kitchen. When cooking at home, try not to eat farmed fresh or harvested food seafood. Make better seafood choices.
2. Again, another food type you should consider looking at is your meat consumption. Did you know that eating meat harms the planet with more CO2 than driving cars? So, reduce the amount and number of times you eat meat.
3. If you are the chef in your home, one of the ways to be green is to consider switching out your pans. In other words, use only cast iron pans that are naturally nonstick and do not have manufacturing chemicals added that emit toxins.
4. Many people love a morning cup of coffee. But, one of the easiest ways to go green at home (and office) is brewing a cup and pouring it into your reusable coffee mug.
5. We’ve all heard how harmful plastics are for the environment. So, in your efforts on how to go green, think of using reusable grocery bags when you shop. You can find plenty of them available for purchase on Amazon.

How to make your home more sustainable

1. Want to know ways to go green and do something good for charity? Doing good should be convenient, and one of the easiest ways to go green is to donate and recycle. Request a free pickup online or find a donation box.
2. If you’re serious about how to go green, another thing to consider is the car in your garage. This article suggests that according to the government of the U.S., if you tune up your vehicle, you can increase fuel efficiency by 4 percent.
3. Yes, we all want to stay cool, but air conditioners can be bad for the environment. Fortunately, if you need a new air conditioner, there is a solution. Purchase an ENERGY STAR product that is the most efficient for your home.
4. Another easy thing, which also feels better, is to switch from using paper napkins to cloth ones. Yes, even if you’re grabbing an on-the-go lunch, reduce waste, and enjoy a nice cloth napkin.
5. Want an idea for how to make your home more sustainable, which is way easier than a garage sale? You can get rid of linens, clothing, decorations, toys, and even luggage for a good cause. Practice hassle-free recycling.

Get Environmentally Friendly at the office

1. One of the first things you can do to get environmentally friendly when you’re at work is simply to stop printing paper. And, when you do have to print, use recycled paper and print on both sides to save more ink and paper use.
2. As you do at home, stop supplying to your office staff paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils. If you want to spread the message of how to be more green, ask everyone to simply wash off mugs, cutlery, and plates in seconds at the sink.
3. Did you know that green is good for mental health? Nature, and its greens and blues, offer therapeutic properties. So, bringing plants into your office is not only good for well-being, but they also absorb chemicals in the air.
4. We know every business needs light, but understanding how to be more green is about creative solutions. For instance, check into using LED lighting, or turning off lights when possible and opening shades and blinds to natural light.
5. Clean up around your office and recycle what you don’t need. Perhaps you have a sports team with old equipment to unload. Or, maybe you have old appliances in the office kitchen you want to trash. Schedule a recycle pickup.

Teaching Children about how to go green

1. Take a walk with kids and bring disposable gloves and trash bags. Then, have them pick up the trash they find on the street, explaining why it’s necessary.
2. Make the shift to thrift! Parents, and also young Millennials looking for vintage-wear, are flocking to thrift shops. Take your kids to a thrift shop near you and purchase recycled and high-quality clothing for them.
3. Ask kids to recycle clothing, shoes, toys, and books. One of the great ways to be green is to give to others. During the holidays or birthdays, ask kids to give what they no longer want to a sibling, friend, or charity.
4. Teaching children about how to be more green can be educational. For instance, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is an excellent introduction to the environment. But, there are also many other books that parents and teachers can read with kids.

Further Resources For Sustainable Living

We hope you’ve enjoyed the Donate This Recycle That list of ideas to get you started on how to be more green for the planet. Remember, it’s not only for nature that we should all try to go green but for ourselves, families, future generations and all living things. For more awesome ideas and information for sustainable living, take a look at some of the following links.