6 Ways Of Reducing Your Carbon Footprint | Good Fronds

It is so easy to pick up a plastic bottle from the supermarket or choose to get in the car and pay for parking at work, but easy isn’t the cure, folks. Having a sustainable lifestyle is something we all need to adopt. From composting and veggie gardens, to carpooling and reusable everything, it has never been a better time to start eliminating waste and plastics from our lives. Here are 6 ways of reducing your carbon footprint, Add any of these pointers into your daily routine and, guaranteed, you’ll make the world a slightly better place…

Make space for a vegetable garden

Growing your own vegetables and herbs in the backyard is an easy way to reduce the carbon emissions that come from your vegetable consumption, removing the need for them to be packaged and transported to the supermarket. With no chemicals or pesticides, it’s safer and more convenient for you to consume.

Try Meat-free Mondays

Making the effort to eat a meat-free meal at least one day a week is a start to reducing your carbon footprint. The production of meat compared to the production of vegetables has a significant increase in the greenhouse gases being released. And, as a bonus, this type of diet reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. If you want to go the next step, why not only cook vegetarian meals while at home and save meat for special occasions?

Invest in solar power

Energy production is one of the greatest contributors to carbon emissions, and, with energy used to power lights, warm your water and more, it’s something that we can’t live without. If you’re wanting to reduce your impact on the earth, consider investing in solar power. Not only will you save money on your energy bills, but you’ll do your part to protect our beautiful planet. You can read more tips in my previous post with a list of ways to make your home more energy efficient.

Don’t drive. Carpool, walk or take public transport

It is so much easier and faster to take public transport to work, not to mention how much less pollution is emitted into the air. The simple act of hitching a ride with a friend, heading to the station or walking to the shops can make a huge amount of difference in our carbon footprint.

Reduce Plastic

First things first, plastics do not biodegrade over time. Therefore, this increases the amount present in our landfills and oceans. Major supermarkets have started to reduce the amount of free plastic bags used, but there are still ways to go regarding plastic packaging for 90% of their products. As for coffee cups, they have a plastic lining to prevent leakage, but also prevent recycling, leading almost 1 billion cups to end up in landfill each year. Pack a reusable shopping bag in your purse, invest in a keep cup and purchase reusable containers for storage of food.

Start composting

Composting helps to reduce carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, preventing biodegradable materials and organics from landing in landfill. Purchase a small compost bin and place in somewhere in the yard where it can be drained easily. Over the next few months add your leftover ground coffee, tea leaves, grass cuttings, vegetable peelings and fruit waste. Use a compost activator for optimal results, and, when it’s done right, you should be able to use it to improve your soil quality.