5 Real Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Eco-friendly living isn’t always so straightforward. Small efforts do add up and make a difference. Here’s 5 easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

Eat local. The local food movement is one of the best and easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Reducing the transportation costs of the food you eat will reduce the emissions of greenhouse gasses and the use of fossil fuels. Shop your local farmers market or look for local produce and products at your local grocery store. Also, don’t forget to patronize restaurants that acquire their ingredients locally and avoid chain restaurants that truck in their products from distant warehouses.

5 Real Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Eating local organic produce tastes great, is better for the environment, and keeps your money in the community

Use renewable energy. Contact your utility company to inquire about their renewable and sustainable energy program. Most electrical companies offer some kind of a sustainable energy program that invests and uses renewable sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal. Although it is not necessary possible to ensure that you will only be using renewable power sources your participation in these sustainable programs help bring new renewable energy facilities on-line for the future.

Avoid bottled water. Water is one of the best liquids for the body but the disposable plastic bottle is one of the worst items for the planet. Bottled water has a huge carbon footprint because of the massive transportation costs associated; it is bottled at one location and shipped all over. Those exotic waters from across the globe are the worst contenders. A better alternative is to use an in-house filtration system or water straight from the tap in a reusable bottle of your choice.

Water heaters

Turn down your water heater. Most water heaters have adjustable heat settings, for everyday use and for vacation mode. Lowering the temperature that water is constantly heated to will reduce the amount of energy required to keep water at a high temperature. When you leave the house for an extended period of time turn the water heater to the vacation setting. Switching to the away mode will keep the water warm but not use the full amount of energy to keep the entire tank full of hot water. Reduce your utility cost by reducing your carbon footprint.

Always Recycle. In almost all urban and suburban areas recycling is available everywhere. Residential recycling programs are commonplace, airports have recycle bins, and many summer festivals encourage recycling. But far more than standard newspapers, glass, and plastic can be recycled or reused. Sports equipment, electronics, clothing, housewares, furniture, and appliances can all be reused by others.

The simplest way to reuse these items is to donate them to a charity organization that will redistribute and reuse the items. You may also consider selling these items by hosting a yard sale; encourage neighbors to participate to generate more interest and traffic. Reusing and recycling items is one of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint by ensuring these items do not end up as trash.

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