10 Simple Things You Can Do For Yourself and the Planet

Making these small changes to your behavior could improve your quality of life and help the environment at the same time.

1. Bring you own bags to shop with.

These bags are more durable than plastic bags, fit in your car, are multipurpose, and most importantly they aren't one time use.

2. Buy local.

Participate in your locally grown produce program or get some of your vegetables from the Farmer's Market for interesting varieties of vegetables that didn't travel far to get to your table.

3. Carpool or use public transit.

If you have good options, these could be an easy way to help your wallet and the world.

4. Start an organic garden.

Plant vegetables native to your zone and use utilitarian planting techniques to reap maximum benefit.

5. Take care of your belongings to minimize waste.

We all know someone who doesn't take care of something very well. Unnecessary and excessive wear and tear can cause things to reach end of life much faster causing it to be thrown out and needing to be replaced. Avoid this unnecessary waste, save money, and help the planet by learning how to respect yours as well as others belongings.

6. Let your grass grow and cut back on landscaping instead.

Some of us are in HOAs and we have strict standards, but just letting it grow out a little longer than normal and waiting just a little extra for that yard trimming could save money and allow that plant matter to absorb more C02 to buffer adverse environmental affects.

7. Use eco-friendly products.

Some of these products can get pricey, but there are many affordable options. Using these products with low toxicity to you and the environment, will help your own health and promote better industry practice. Check ewg.org if the products you are using right now are ok for you and the environment.

8. Incorporate exercise into transportation and errands.

If you live close to a shopping center or a hangout, ride your bike or walk there. If you have a spot that is within a couple miles that you frequent, make it a goal to ride your bike there or take a walk there. Expand your radius as you grow more comfortable. If you have an elevator in your complex, take the stairs sometimes.

9. Eat healthy.

Eating healthy not only helps you, but it has the unintended side effect of placing foods that aren't processed by industry higher on the demand list. By support businesses that do us right, we indirectly support them doing right by our planet and our future. Vegan and vegetarian diets have plenty of health benefits and are even better diets for the planet than just eating healthy in general.

9. Eat healthy.

Eating healthy not only helps you, but it has the unintended side effect of placing foods that aren't processed by industry higher on the demand list. By support businesses that do us right, we indirectly support them doing right by our planet and our future. Vegan and vegetarian diets have plenty of health benefits and are even better diets for the planet than just eating healthy in general.

10. Start or participate in a green space.

Plant some things. Plants can be pricey, and if you don't have a place to put them then this may not be an option for you. However, you can still reach out to local community gardens or botanical gardens and get invovled that way.