Ways to be more eco-friendly in 2022

The New Year is finally here, and it’s time to start accomplishing your resolutions. Besides wanting to lose weight and be fit, many people wished to become more eco-friendly this year. It’s a resolution that’s good in more ways than one. Not only will your life become healthier and happier, but you’ll also help our planet. Of course, you can’t become ‘zero-waste’ right away. Start small and turn your gestures into habits and, eventually, into a lifestyle. Fortunately, there are so many ways to be more eco-friendly in 2022. So, let’s see what you can do to start this sustainable journey of yours and make the world a better place!

Say NO to single-use waste

Saying NO to single-use products and YES to reusable ones is a crucial step in the fight against climate change and plastic pollution. Unfortunately, plastic appears to be inescapable in some situations. However, you may limit your usage of single-use plastic waste by simply paying attention to the things you buy. Additionally, remember that plastic is recyclable, so make sure to do so if you encounter it.

A common example of single-use waste is disposable coffee cups. Believe it or not, approximately 50 billion coffee cups are used and thrown away each year in the US. Sounds scary, right? So, if you want to do your bit and be more eco-friendly in 2022, we suggest investing in a reusable coffee cup. The same goes for reusable straws and water bottles. They consume less oil, emit less carbon dioxide, and don’t clutter landfills!

Reuse, Recycle & Donate

Besides reducing waste, one of the best ways to be more eco-friendly in 2022 is to start reusing, recycling, and donating. When it comes to reusing items, we all have a lot of stuff in our homes that we can use for something other than their primary purpose. For example, you can turn cans into pencil or make-up holders. Thanks to the Internet, you can find a ton of DIY ideas for all sorts of crafts you can make at home in order to reuse.

On the other hand, the things you can’t reuse, you can recycle. Simple as that! You can even make a little recycling station in your garage, backyard, or kitchen. Find biodegradable plastic bins and turn them into recycling ones for plastic, paper, glass, and cans. This is an easy and fun way to live more sustainably. When it comes to donating, you certainly have clothes in your closet you never wear. So, to become more eco-friendly, start donating your clothes to the ones that need them the most.

If you have a bunch of stuff you don’t use lying around your house, consider decluttering. So, consider putting the items you can’t sell, recycle, or donate right away in storage. Of course, make sure to choose an eco-friendly storage solution – it takes just a little bit more effort to be sustainable, and it’s totally worth it!

Shop fresh and local

We all know how much waste big supermarket chains produce. That’s why it’s always a good idea to shop for fresh produce from a local farmers’ market. This way, you’ll both eat healthier and support small local businesses. Not to mention you’ll also become a part of a sustainable community. Of course, you can’t avoid supermarkets altogether. However, you can make sure to buy only fair trade products. A fair trade label on a product implies that the company that made it is dedicated to environmentally friendly manufacturing. You’ll notice it everywhere once you start looking for it!

Furthermore, you can even plant your own garden – herb or vegetable. This way, you’ll be sure you’re eating healthy and fresh food every day. And growing it yourself will make it even more special! In addition, gardening is extremely beneficial for the environment. It doesn’t get more sustainable than this. If you have kids, gardening is also a great and fun way to teach them about sustainability!

Less driving, more biking and walking

Transportation-related CO2 emissions have become the leading source of greenhouse gases. According to one research, going carless for a year would significantly reduce carbon emissions, saving around 2.6 tons of CO2. Therefore, if you want to be more eco-friendly in 2022, avoid driving your car as much as possible. Instead, use public transportation for longer commutes. Additionally, walking and biking are excellent ways to reduce carbon footprint and boost your health. It’s also free! As a plus, you’ll get to explore your city and discover new places. There’s a good chance you’ll meet new friends as well! Therefore, being eco-friendly is beneficial in more ways than one.

Become more energy-efficient

Saving energy in your house is easier than it sounds. Simple acts like turning off the lights when you leave the room or appliances on standby, changing the thermostat to a lower temperature, or washing your dishes in a sink help you save more energy than you think. Additionally, using energy-saving light bulbs will go a long way. As a plus, your monthly bills will be significantly lower once you start practicing these sustainable life hacks. The money you save on the bills you can use to buy solar panels for your house. This way, you’ll maximize the energy-saving in your home.

Educate yourself and practice mindfulness

One of the best ways to become more sustainable this year is to educate yourself and practice mindfulness. To motivate yourself and others to live this way is to understand the scale and importance of our situation. Our planet is in danger, and so are we. There is a ton of educational literature about climate change and everything happening to our environment. The only way to fight this properly is to learn what’s causing all this chaos. Once you inform yourself about these things, you’ll be able to be more mindful of your actions towards the environment. We suggest that you use the knowledge you gain to be loud and inform others about this as well.

Final thoughts

These are just some of the best ways to be more eco-friendly in 2022. Starting with these small gestures will help you develop awareness about sustainability, climate change, and pollution. Eventually, this will turn into a green lifestyle. You’ll be healthier and happier while being a part of the good change in the world. This is definitely something you should be proud of. So, start making a difference ASAP!