Americans produce approximately 250 million tons of trash every year, and that number is rising. We are told from news and media outlets to ‘go green,’ be more ‘eco-friendly,’ and ‘reduce, reuse, recycle,’ but how do we do that? What steps can we take to reduce our carbon footprint?

At the Grocery Store

You probably didn’t realize that every time you step foot in a grocery store, you make so many choices that affect the environment. These are some very simple ways you can make a difference.

• Use reusable produce bags and shopping bags instead of plastic. It’s true, you are not required to use their plastic bags in the produce section. Bring your own cloth bags for your fruits and veggies. The tare weight should be printed on the bag for an easy checkout.
• Bring glass jars for meat and cheese. Instead of chicken breasts from the freezer, use your grocer’s meat and deli counter. Refuse their packaging, and hand them your jars to be filled.
• Buy bulk items wherever available. Most grocery stores have at least a small bulk section for flour, rice, sugar, etc. Use either glass jars (make sure they are weighed first!) or cloth bags to store bulk items.

In the Bathroom

We use more products in the bathroom than anywhere else. Simply reducing the number of products we use can make a huge difference, but when that is not possible, try some of these alternatives to commercial products.

• Switch to 100% recycled toilet paper if the thought of reusable toilet paper makes you queasy. Look for a brand that used paper and cardboard instead of plastic in their packaging.
• Shampoo and conditioner are available to purchase in bulk. Refill liter size bottles to keep your plastic waste as minimal as possible.
• Make your own cosmetics instead of buying from the department store. There are many DIY recipes out there. For those you can’t make yourself, choose brands that use recyclable packaging.
• Use a recyclable toothbrush. There are wood options or even plastic toothbrushes that can be mailed back to the company to be recycled into new products.

In the Laundry Room & Cleaning Closet

Some of us are more attached to our favorite cleaning products than we should be. Switching to a more eco-friendly brand or even learning to make your own supplies is not as difficult as you may think.

• Buy boxes, not bottles of laundry detergent. Cardboard is much easier to recycle than plastic, and many brands use cardboard boxes instead of plastic bottles.
• Make your own cleaning supplies with vinegar and baking soda (bought in bulk). Not only is it better for the environment, but they are safer to use and easier on the wallet! More information on DIY cleaners here.

In the Bedroom Closet

Clothes may be the single most difficult habit to change. We are all attached to our favorite stores, and even getting rid of something you haven’t worn in years can be difficult. Take baby steps toward a greener closet.

• Avoid compulsive clothing shopping and stick to a minimal wardrobe. By purchasing less you will create less waste.
• Donate anything you do not wear to local charities. The average American throws away 65 pounds of clothes every year. It is better to give to someone in need rather than throw in a landfill.

In the Office

Books are a favorite to hold onto, and even though we know better, we continue to buy more than borrow. It’s time to really make an effort to utilize borrowing from friends and libraries.

• Utilize your library for reading materials instead of buying books new. Sell or donate any older books that you no longer want instead of throwing them away.
• Buy used books instead of new ones.
• Buy (or borrow from your library) the digital versions of your favorite books/magazines.
• Use refillable pens and mechanical pencils to cut down on the never-ending pen/pencil waste.

In the Kitchen

20-30% of what we throw away are food scraps that can and should be composted. Don’t let the red worms scare you, composting is not as scary as you may think.

• Change all paper products and plastic bags to a reusable option. Use rags instead of paper towels, reusable sandwich bags instead of plastic, and reusable dishes instead of plastic.
• Compost all food scraps. If you live in an apartment, there are small, odorless options to compost indoors.

With so many options, trying to ‘go green’ can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do everything all at once. By slowly changing old habits to more eco-friendly ones, you can make a difference and help keep our planet a safe and healthy place to live.