Going Green

‘Going Green’ doesn’t have to be a scary task that equals radical life changes. There’s actually lots of things we can all be doing as individuals that when combined make a big difference to our environment.

Here are some simple, easy tips:

• Recycling. It’s still one of the best and easiest ways we can do our bit. To ensure the most benefit is gained, make sure you remove food scraps from lids and containers before placing them in the recycling bin. Or better yet forget the bin and find uses for empty containers in your home. Old glass jars, for instance, have a multitude of uses – from vintagesque storage containers to funky everyday vases. 

• Buy recycled. Shop organic. Every time you shop look for environmentally conscious products and companies. There’s countless companies out there promoting environmental ethics in everything they do. Support them with your shopping dollars. 

• Reduce chemical use in the home. In particular try to avoid ammonia  bleach and artificial fragrances. Instead choose environmentally responsible cleaning products that don’t use chemicals. Or look at creating your own! Check out these websites for some great ideas for creating chemical-free, completely natural cleaning products for example: 7 eco ingredients to transform your cleaning bills

• Composting. It’s a great, simple way of completely eliminating your organic food waste. Not only that but your garden will love you for it! 

• Libraries. Rediscover your local library. Libraries are a treasure trove of fun things to do for kids. And by sharing resources in our community instead of buying new products we not only save money but collectively reduce our impact together.

• Shop local. So many products these days travel thousands of miles, placing unnecessary pressure on the environment when many similar (and often higher-quality products) are available right around the corner. By shopping local you support the environment and your local economy at the same time. 

• Give it away. Before you throw away old or unwanted goods think about if someone else might need it. Most unwanted items can be put to good use in some way by people in need. 

• Spread the word. These days with platforms like Facebook and Twitter we all have the ability to powerfully promote environmentally conscious ways of living! Take what you’ve learned and share the knowledge!