Are you looking for creative ways to help the environment that go beyond simply recycling your trash? Being an eco-conscious citizen takes minimal effort once you know how your daily lifestyle has an impact on the world around you. Here are some helpful ideas to help you minimize your impact so you can make a difference. 

Go Green at Home

The best place to make a difference is at home. You have control over your lifestyle, so making changes is easy. Smaller acts such as composting your garbage can reduce what waste takes up space in our landfills. You can also choose to limit your reliance on appliances by hanging your laundry to dry on warmer days. For a bigger impact, look into the benefits of home solar panel installations, which not only help the environment but can reduce your monthly energy bills as well. 

Be Mindful of What Businesses You Support

Finding what you need is as easy as clicking a button. However, with every online purchase you make, you are widening your carbon footprint to have that item delivered to you. When you can, opt to shop locally. This will reduce your emissions footprint and support local businesses. If you must shop online, choose companies that are eco-conscious and committed to being carbon neutral.

Embrace Nature

As more homeowners learn about the harmful impact their yards can have on the environment, we are seeing a rise in the return to indigenous plants. Grass does little to serve nature and can be especially harmful to the bees, who need pollen to make honey. While it’s a bold move and does take some work, converting your yard to a pollinator paradise can make a positive impact on the local bee population. Choose wildflowers and other plants that are popular with bees to put in your yard. As a bonus, you won’t be spending every weekend outside mowing your lawn. 

Talk to Your Boss

Commuting to work every day can have a negative impact on the environment in the form of pollution. Talk to your employer about reducing your time in the office. Working from home will reduce the number of carbon emissions you put into the air. It also has other benefits such as reducing the amount of money your employer spends on your office space and giving you a better work-life balance. 

Reuse

When something breaks, we’re tempted to toss it in the trash and replace it, which results in full landfills and empty pockets. Instead of throwing away items, what would happen if you chose to fix them when they broke? You’d drastically reduce your waste and keep your money in the bank. When an item simply cannot be fixed, instead of purchasing a new look for used items, which gives new life to someone else’s trash and prevents it from heading to the landfill. Used items are also much cheaper than new ones, and you’ll be able to embrace the vintage vibe that’s popular these days. 

Give these tips a try if you’re interested in doing your part to protect the environment and reap the secondhand benefits of an eco-conscious lifestyle. 

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Canadian Home Trends magazine gives you a personal tour of the most stunning homes and condos across Canada. You'll be inspired by a selection of accessible home décor products, trend reports, simple yet stylish DIY projects, and much more. In each issue, you are given the tools to recreate designer spaces you've always dreamt of having at home, in-depth renovation and design advice, colour palette and furniture pairings, and Canada's best places to shop.