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Easy Ways for Your Family to "Go Green"

By Melissa Hucal April 16, 2015
April 22nd marks the 45th anniversary of Earth Day. First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day is recognized as the official holiday of the environmental movement. It’s an opportunity for us to think about our impact on the Earth and to make lifestyle choices that will help us “go green” (i.e. take specific actions that will have a positive impact on the environment).

Believe or not, it’s simple for your family to “go green” for Earth Day and every day! In fact, many of the things you are already doing on a regular basis have a positive impact on the environment. 

Ready to be more intentional about your environmental impact? Here’s a list of things that you can start (or keep!) doing:

Recycle in your home. Aluminum cans, cardboard, plastic and newspaper are just a few of the common things we use that can be recycled. Some recycling facilities pay money for collecting and turning in recyclables, so it’s a great way for your family to earn a little extra “fun” money.

Take your own bags to the store. Using reusable grocery bags cuts down on the amount of plastic bags that may possibly end up in landfills. In addition, many stores offer small discounts to shoppers who bring their own bags for their purchases. If you must use the plastic bags from the store, try to find a second use for them before throwing them in the trash. Use them to line garbage cans in your home or for bringing smelly clothes home from baseball practice!

Ride bikes or walk instead of driving. Cutting down on the amount of time you drive your car keeps potentially harmful emissions out of the air. This keep the air we are breathing every day cleaner. If you must drive, consider carpooling or taking public transportation. This also helps to limit the number of cars on the road.

Buy in bulk. When we shop warehouse stores or buy the bigger packages of the things that we use on a regular basis, it cuts down on waste. That means less garbage ends up in the landfills.

Collect rainwater for watering your lawn and garden. It’s easy to create a barrel to collect the drops when it rains, and this water is perfect for watering your lawn and garden. By reusing the rain, you’re conserving water. Oh, and one more way to conserve water? Don’t leave the faucet running when you brush your teeth and take shorter showers. Saving just a few gallons of water can make a big difference!

Turn off the lights – and the electronics. Pick one night a month to shut everything off. Just like cutting down on a few gallons of water, turning off the lights and unplugging electronic devices when they’re not in use conserves energy. Similarly, reminding members of your family to turn out the lights when they leave a room can have significant impact when it all adds up!

Shop consignment sales, garage sales and thrift shops. Let’s face it. Kids grow quickly, so it doesn’t make sense to spend lots of money on clothes and toys. Visit consignment sales, garage sales and thrift shops for great deals on a new wardrobe for each season, new-to-you bikes and gently used toys. That way you’re giving a second life to something that might otherwise be disposed of and end up in a landfill.

Reuse items for crafts and games. Wash out glass jars from pasta sauces. Keep old issues of magazines and cardboard cereal boxes. These supplies are a great backdrop for creativity and can be used to create unique decorations or gifts.

What would you add? Share something your family has done to “go green” in the comments below.