Did you know that an average American citizen uses 650 pounds of paper annually? If all that paper was recycled, around 100 million tons of wood could be saved each year. Therefore, it is critical to switch to an eco-friendly lifestyle to not only save the planet but also money in the long term. However, going green doesn’t mean a complete overhaul overnight. It all depends on the little actions we can take every day to create a bigger change. In this guide, we’ve lined up simple ways to go green to make a real difference for the planet while saving up some money for improved financial health.
The Top 10 Ideas To Go Green and Save Money
Going green refers to the act of saving money by adopting practices that are good for the environment. You not only save money while doing this, but also become a more conscious and eco-friendly person. We’ve put Mother Earth through a lot in the past decade. It’s time to show this planet some love and care by going green. Let’s read about the best ways to save money while going green.
One Less Car
The first thing you need to do is reduce your dependency on vehicles. You can opt for public transportation instead of taking out your car daily to commute. If you dislike public transportation, try walking or cycling to work. This is a great way to keep yourself fit while saving money. Furthermore, the world has advanced so much in recent years that it has launched EV cars and bikes. You can invest in one and minimize your fuel consumption.
Stop the Leaks
Sometimes, we don’t know where there is a leakage, which could result in hefty bills. So, identify and repair all the leaky faucets, pipes, and toilets to prevent water loss. Keep checking your appliances, such as the dishwasher, microwave and refrigerator, for leaks and malfunctions. To minimize water usage, you can also install water-efficient fixtures, such as low-flow faucets, shower heads and toilets.
Harness the Sun
Harness the sun and utilize solar energy as a renewable and sustainable energy source. You can set up solar panels on rooftops or in open spaces to capture sunlight and convert it into electricity for residential, commercial, and industrial use. You can also check out solar water heaters and other solar-powered appliances for your house.
Waste Not, Want Not
Another basic thing to be mindful of when trying to go green is minimizing waste generation and maximizing resource efficiency. You need to focus on the importance of reducing waste, optimizing your available resources, and adopting ethical consumption practices. It would help if you adopted mindful consumption habits by buying necessary things. Try to get rid of your impulsive shopping habits. Also, invest your money in recyclable materials such as recycled paper, cardboard, glass, metal, and plastics for daily use.
Grow Your Own
Cultivate your own food items by gardening and farming. If you own a huge plot of land, you can easily use it to grow vegetables, fruits, herbs, and other edible plants. You can also use your yard, balcony or rooftops to grow your vegetables. In addition to that, you can also purchase locally grown or organic produce from the farmer’s market, farm-to-table restaurants, or community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs to support regional food systems and promote eco-friendliness and sustainability.
Dispense with Disposables
Try as much as possible to minimize the use of one-time-use items like plastic bags, cups, glass, plates, and other utensils. Instead, opt for reusable alternatives. When you go out shopping, bring your own reusable shopping bags or totes to reduce the consumption of plastic bags and minimize plastic pollution.
Always carry your own water bottle or beverage container to stay hydrated while on the go. Instead of purchasing plastic water bottles, which have no value after the beverage is consumed, you should also carry your own cutlery to avoid using plastic straws, forks, and spoons.
Reallocate Your Resources
Start by implementing energy-saving measures, such as installing energy-efficient appliances in your house and optimizing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to reduce energy consumption and utility bills. Before the start of each month, try budgeting and allocating your resources, such as how much money you can spend on groceries, OTT subscriptions, and dining out. Avoid spending unnecessary money so you don’t fall short when it’s actually needed.
Examine Your Diet
Analyze your dietary choices and make conscious decisions to support environmental sustainability and personal health. Incorporate plant-based items into your everyday diet. Start slowly by purchasing fruits, legumes, and vegetables. Then, expand your palette by purchasing plant-based meat and dairy.
If you love seafood, select options that are sustainably sourced and harvested, such as certified sustainable fisheries or seafood products with eco-labels, to help preserve marine ecosystems and protect endangered species. And always support ethical businesses that don’t believe in animal cruelty.
Cut Down on Plastic
Reduce the use of plastic materials to minimize environmental pollution and promote sustainability. To reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste, select products that are made from biodegradable or compostable materials, such as bioplastic alternatives derived from renewable resources like cornstarch or sugarcane.
When you throw out trash, you must sort and recycle plastic materials according to local recycling guidelines. This includes rinsing containers, removing caps and labels, and avoiding contamination to maximize recycling efficiency and minimize landfill waste. We need to raise and promote awareness on this issue if you want to become an environmentally responsible person.
Use LED Light Bulbs
Switch your traditional incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs with LED (Light-Emitting Diode) bulbs. These bulbs consume significantly less energy, have longer lifespans, and produce less heat, which will result in lower electricity costs and reduced carbon emissions. You can also implement smart lighting technologies, such as motion sensors, timers, dimmers, and programmable lighting systems that detect all movements. If there’s no movement, the lights automatically switch off, saving you money.
Conclusion
Embracing sustainable practices will contribute to a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. You’ll become more conscious of what’s happening while reducing your carbon footprint. You conserve resources for future generations and promote a healthier and more sustainable planet. Your small steps toward sustainability will make a meaningful difference and together, we can work toward a more resilient and harmonious relationship with our environment. As you take necessary measures to save money while protecting the planet, Beem can help you with insights on where to cut costs with your personalized Budget Planner.
Read Related Article: Sustainable Side Hustles: How to Make Money and Save the Environment
FAQs
Does going green cost money?
The cost of going green varies from person to person, depending on their lifestyle. Some eco-friendly practices are inexpensive, whereas some are expensive. If you purchase plant-based meat and dairy products, it’s going to cost you a lot. Instead, you can do it independently and save it for a long time.
Does going green save money?
Yes. Some green practices do help you save a lot of money, such as reducing waste, buying reusable items, and growing your own food. They also help you save money on utility, water and other bills.
What are the negatives of going green?
While going green generally has numerous benefits, there are also potential drawbacks, like limited availability of resources. Plus, explaining why you practice green is hard when they can do the same thing. However, the overall benefits of going green for the environment, economy, and society often outweigh the drawbacks.
