The Ultimate Guide to Environmentally Friendly Living

It’s no secret that the planet is in trouble. In the U.S. alone, Americans face major environmental issues such as water pollution, water shortages, wildfires, and food waste.

It’s unsustainable, and we must do something to minimize our environmental impact.

The question is: what are you going to do about it?

Figuring out how to be more environmentally friendly may seem intimidating, but there are lots of different ways a single person can be a good steward of the environment.

Whether you are new to green living or are looking for more info on how to be more environmentally friendly, this guide will help inspire you and inform you on how you can make a big impact. Here’s how to be more environmentally friendly in your everyday life.

How to Be More Environmentally Friendly Every Day

It may be cliche to say, but being more environmentally friendly starts with you. Every day we make choices that affect the climate, native flora and fauna, and our environment. That means we can make choices every day to be more environmentally friendly.

These eco-friendly lifestyle choices may include:

Think Before You Consume

Every product we purchase or use has an environmental footprint. This footprint consists of factors such as the materials used in packaging, the pollution emitted during the manufacturing process, and the fossil fuels used during its manufacturing and transport.

Even if you recycle, reuse, or compost an item when you are done with it, the damage of its environmental footprint has already been done.

Before you buy, think about if you really need that item. If possible, try to buy secondhand. You can also look for products made from lower-impact materials, packaged with minimal packaging.

Simply considering your purchase choices can go a long way in your efforts to reduce your carbon footprint.

Additionally, don’t forget about the 4 Rs of green living: reduce, reuse, recycle, and repurpose.

Reduce Meat Consumption

Along with reducing the number of items you buy, you can reduce your meat consumption. The effects of the meat industry on climate change are massive and often underplayed. The meat industry is a key culprit in greenhouse gas emissions.

Clearing land for raising animals such as beef, pork, and poultry is a leading cause of deforestation. Fewer trees mean less climate-warming carbon is sucked out of the air. Removing native flora from land also means greater soil erosion.

Cattle also release a lot of methane through belching, which further adds to warming temperatures and climate change.

Meat consumption also strains existing water resources. Animal products generally require more water than plant-based foods.

Meat eaters don’t be worried: you don’t have to adopt a fully vegan lifestyle. However, reducing your meat consumption to only 2-3 days a week can have a major impact on reducing the harm done by raising livestock.

Don’t Buy Into Fast Fashion

Shopping for clothes used to be an occasional event. However, the rise of big global brands and internet shopping led to fast fashion. Suddenly, clothes were cheaper, shopping was easier, and trending clothing changed often – hence the name “fast fashion.”

Fast fashion plays into the idea that repeating an outfit is a fashion faux pas, uncool, and very untrendy.

Fast fashion has a huge impact on the environment. A faster production time means environmental corners are more likely to be cut. The fast fashion industry often uses cheap textile dyes – which can be toxic, polluting water.

Cheap textiles like polyester are derived from fossil fuels. They can even shed microfibres that add to the plastic in our waterways.

In addition to the environmental cost, there’s the human cost. Garment workers for fast fashion brands often work in dangerous environments for low wages.

Instead of supporting the fast fashion industry, opt for “slow fashion” instead. Learn how to sew and repair your clothes, so you can further extend their life. You can also shop secondhand, or attend local clothing swaps.

When you do need new clothes, support sustainable brands.

Conserve Water

With a growing population and a finite amount of water, conserving water is more important than ever.

Fortunately, conserving water is easy. It’s something you can start with immediately. Saving water can even help save energy.

Opt for taking shorter showers, as well as not letting the water run when brushing your teeth. Look into upgrading your water fixtures to low-flow options, such as low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators.

Keeping your home maintained is also important to conserving water. Make sure any leaky faucets get fixed right away.

Use Solar Energy

It’s time to switch to solar energy for your residential electricity needs.

Why solar energy? It produces no emissions, no greenhouse gases, and requires no fossil fuels to power your home.

Solar energy is renewable energy that can be regenerated quickly. It can generate electricity in any climate.

Compared to wind energy, solar energy is more consistent. While solar can’t generate electricity at night, this problem is solved by either staying connected to the electric grid and using that energy at night, or storing solar power during the day in a lithium-ion battery, and then using it at night.

Wind energy works in some areas, such as rural, windy areas, but even then wind is not constant. Wind turbines can be noisy and unappealing. They may have an impact on local wildlife.

Between the two, solar is the better choice. It’s more consistent, more accessible, and still very green.

For even more info on solar power and green energy, check out Chariot University.

Go Green With Chariot Energy

If you’re wondering how to be more environmentally friendly, Chariot Energy can help. Our Solar Buyback plans let you sell us your extra solar power, giving you a monthly credit for any unused energy.

Don’t have solar panels installed? No problem. Go green with one of our 100% clean energy plans. Chariot Energy provides some of the most competitive rates in Texas.

Ready to get started? Use the Find My Plan option to find a plan in your area.

Do you still have questions about home electricity plans? Not a problem! Contact us or give us a call at 855-524-2746.