It’s your old pal Gilley the parrot here! You know, most people tend to only think about making green changes during the summer months when you can plant trees and clean up trash. Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean you can’t make positive changes that help the environment and your home!
Here are some easy changes you can make at home without dramatically changing your lifestyle!
Microbeads free productsAs I’m sure you’ve heard, President Barack Obama recently signed in to law the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 that will come into effect on July 1, 2017. These microbeads are tiny pieces of plastic found in soaps, toothpastes and body washes. These particles are washed down the drain, become infested with bacteria and make their way to the ocean where they cause harmful pollution. Although these products are now banned, they are still on the shelves, so you can do your part now and protect the environment by not purchasing cosmetics containing microbeads.
Lower water usageMany people run their dish washer and washing machine when they are only half full. This wastes a lot of water and is an easy habit to fix. If you really want to wear that top, hand wash it instead of putting a small load in the washer. Do you ever flush tissues down the toilet or use it to dispose of bugs and other garbage? This excessive flushing uses additional water than can be saved. Break this habit by keeping the toilet lid down and placing a trash bin next to the toilet. You can even shorten your showers by brushing your teeth, washing your face and shaving outside of the shower.
Shopping tipsWhether it’s grocery shopping or buying a new wardrobe, you should avoid plastic bags at all costs. Plastic bags are not biodegradable and last forever in landfills. Consider purchasing reusable fabric shopping bags. Not only are these bags great for the environment but they can hold much more than any paper or plastic bag. When it comes to purchasing items, use a tap filter at home rather than buying plastic water bottles and check out the vintage clothes at the thrift store before heading to the mall.
