Most people refrain from going eco-friendly because they think eco-friendly products are expensive. It’s true to some extent. Businesses tend to charge higher for eco-friendly products but it’s just another marketing gimmick. Unfortunately, those who can afford the high-end eco-friendly products fall for it, as for those who can’t stay where they are, continuing to harm the environment in ways they do not realize.
It’s understandable. But what if I tell you, you can still help the environment without spending money?
Yes, it’s very possible. Just sit back and read along.
20+ simple ways to help the environment without spending money
1. Cut shower time
I know cold showers on a hot summer day feels like bliss. Probably that’s why you spend half an hour showering. But take a moment, and realize how much water you are wasting. If not abandon it completely, consider cutting down your shower time to five minutes. Trust me; it’s more than enough to get your body cleaned.
And, whether it’s workplace hygiene or personal hygiene, you don’t need to spend a fortune or avoid going green in order to get the job done!
2. Turn off the tap when brushing
Think about it, are you the culprit here? Does your tap keep running the whole time you brush your teeth? If yes, you know what to do.
3. Drink Tap water
If you’re blessed with drinkable tap water at your location, then go for it. Ditch the bottled water.
4. Reuse jam bottles
Old jam bottles are better suited in your kitchen than the dustbin. You can use them to store your kitchen ingredients instead of investing in plastic jars that are like ten thousand miles away from being eco-friendly.
5. Save electricity
Not only you’d have to spend zero extra dollars for it, but it will help you cut extensively on your electricity bill.
6. Turn off your WIFI
Most households leave their wifi on all through the night, leading to significant electricity wastage. If you’re in for saving the environment, make sure you turn it off when not in need.
7. Go-digital
Millions of trees are cut to meet your demand for paper. How about going for e-newspapers, and e-books to cut back on paper and help the environment a little? Sounds good to me, what about you?
8. Go for air drying
Trust me; you don’t need a dryer to dry your clothes. You can do the same by hanging your clothes to dry in the sun.
9. Recycle mobile phones
Do you know what happens to the old mobile phones you throw away? They reach the landfill, making them most vulnerable to battery leaks. And as we learned in school, battery leaks mean a release of harmful toxins in the environment.
What you can do instead is recycle your phones. Many carriers provide the facility, but other than that you can go for an eco ATM if you have it near you.
10. Say no to gift wrap
Have a birthday coming up? Be mindful because those fancy gift wraps are laminated, and are hard to recycle. How about going for newspaper and fabric wraps instead of the fancy gift wraps? You can even decorate it to make it attractive if that’s your concern.
11. Walk when you can
Taking cars for short distances might seem convenient to you, but it is not for the environment.
12. Reuse plastic/cloth bags
Already have a plastic/cloth bag? If yes, there’s no reason why you cannot use it again and again to carry your groceries.
13. Plant trees
Have some leftover seeds? You can use them to plant trees.
14. Place bricks and stones around little plants
Sadly, people are not mindful when they are walking. They’ll go on stomping the plant without realizing it. To avoid that, if you see such a plant, you can keep stones and bricks around it.
15. Don’t ask for a straw
Plastic straws are not at all eco-friendly. Not to mention, you don’t even need them when you can drink from the cup.
16. Carry a water bottle
Not only water in plastic bottles is unhealthy for you, but for the environment as well. Make it a rule to carry a stainless steel bottle wherever you go.
17. Learn about recycling.
You’ll be doing the environment a lot of good if you begin practising recycling. That being said, try to learn about your options in your city.
18. Avoid food wastage; only take what you can eat.
Let not greed takeover.
19. Reduce takeaways
Takeaway food items come with packaging. If you reduce your takeaways, you’ll be saving on packaging.
20. Donate old things, don’t throw them away.
It’s better to let someone else use the things you don’t need, rather than let them go to the landfill.
21. Put an extra sweater
Feeling cold on a winter night? Try putting on an extra sweater rather than turn up the heater.
Finally,
Well, I think it’s enough to get you started. But just before leaving, allow me to appreciate what you are doing. You are doing your best to save the environment, it’s commendable. Keep at it. If you have a few words to share, feel free to drop them in the comment section.
