Five Easy Changes to Make to Reduce Your Environmental Impact

If you are looking for ways to reduce your environmental impact, you might be overwhelmed about where to start. It can feel like there are so many suggestions and so much urgency that it’s impossible to know what to do. The good news is that each small action you take does make a difference. 

The other good news is that the health of our planet and the health of our bodies are connected. In many cases, making changes to improve your health and making changes to reduce your environmental impact are one and the same. Drive less and walk or bike more? Win-win. Eat local, seasonal, organic food? Win-win. Reduce the plastic you are exposed to and ingesting? Win-win. 

Here are five simple ideas about where to start. As with any new changes and habits, it can help to start small and work your way up. Choose one thing to focus on and be consistent until a new habit forms (at least a month). Then focus on another habit. 

1. Switch to a digital planner to reduce your paper use.

Using a digital planner will help you reduce your paper use and can streamline your life! Most digital planners allow you to share your calendar with other people, which can mean you spend less time communicating about logistics and more time connecting. 

2. Bring a water bottle and a coffee cup with you.

A good water bottle and a travel mug will save you a lot of waste. Some coffee shops will even give you a small discount for bringing your own mug. You will have to get into the habit of bringing it with you. Putting it right into your bag after washing so it’s always with you might work, or keeping it near your keys might help you remember to grab it on your way out the door. 

3. Bring reusable bags for shopping.

Just like a carrying a water bottle and a travel mug, you will have to get into the habit of carrying your bags with you. Or better yet, keep them in your car (if you use a car to get groceries). Having an assortment of bags will mean you can use them for carrying things out to your car and also that you can use them for produce bags inside the store. 

4. Choose local produce and meat.

Choosing local, seasonal, and organic produce and meat means that it takes less energy to get your food to you. It also means that your food is fresher and will taste better, and that you are investing in the people in your community who produce that food. 

5. Look at what you throw away.

Try focusing on one thing each month. Take a look at the things you throw away most often, and see if you can change that. Do you love protein bars for a quick snack? Try making your own, wrapping them in wax paper, and storing them in the freezer. Do you always grab a straw? Try keeping a reusable option in your car. Can you find toilet paper made from bamboo or recycled paper, wrapped in paper rather than plastic? Can you cut up a pile of old t-shirts to use instead of paper towels? Are there bulk options available at your local store to bring your own containers for soap and cleaning supplies? Is your laundry detergent available in cardboard rather than plastic? Can you choose to group your orders in one package when you have things delivered? Once you begin to pay attention, you will find many small opportunities throughout your life to reduce waste. You don’t have to do everything at once. Each step adds up.