Good Lifestyle

WithSustainability and climate change more important problems than ever, there has never been a better time to work to live moreConscious lifestyle of eco. For some people, however, ways to make their live green dreams a reality are not always clear, especially if you areMore than 40 years. There are decades, environmentalism was not as widespread in our schools and everyday life as it is today. So, if you are a forty-something wishing to live a lifestyle more respectful of the environment, but do not know where to start, start with these easy tips from some of the experts of the world's sustainability.

Previousplastic bags At the grocery store for reusable bags, it is a step in the right direction. But if you really want to do your part to help Planet Earth, also try to use recyclable food, utensils and straw containers.

"You may have seen painful seawater turtle videos found with plastic straws or forks of their nose. The use of reusable materials is a small but effective means of reducing plastic pollution that hurts marine life », DECLAREEric Otjen, a member of theSEAWORLD emergency team. "Choose to drink drinking less straw or buy reusable metal. Drinking water bottles instead of disposable cups. If you come out to eat, bring your own containers to bring back to the house."

If you are worried about the amount of energy you use, an energy audit of your local electrical business can help you reduce your carbon footprint - and your electrical bills - in no time.

"Electricity companies are sub-instructions to encourage conservation," said the expert from the profitability of green businessesShel Horowitz. "So they usually do energy audits for free or for a tax of $ 10 or $ 20."

Decorate for holidays Can make your festive festive home, but if you leave these lights for months in the end, you could have a deleterious effect on the environment. "If you turn off vacation lights, consider putting you off last year and be sure to turn off your lights when you go to bed-night, person (or virtually anyone) will not be awake or outdoors to enjoy your holiday screen, "saysMaya k. van rossumthe original organizer of theGreen amendment movement.

"Similarly, be sure to turn off all the outer lights when you do not need it, and especially when you lay down," she notes. "And think about setting up LED bulbs in your home - they last longer and use much less energy. All these small steps can be a big saving money and energy that reduces your carbon footprint and pollution. "

If you are eager to keep weeds and pestsDestroy your garden, opt for fencing and the good manual manual to the old manual instead of chemical herbicides and pesticides. "[Herbicide] The glyphosate of the environment can be toxic for a range of living organisms, including plants, animals and microorganisms," said Van Rossum.

She adds that search shows that frogs and crapauds are particularly at risk, even in your garden. Instead, "uses non-toxic options, hand weeding or pocket burning for weed management".

Keeping clothes out of landfills is a major environmental effort. That's why H & M, the Swedish Giant Fast Fashion, pushed asustainability effort In recent years: bring your old clothes - even if it is not a H & M brand - and they will give you a 15% discount on your purchase.

Now, thanks to the proliferation of used clothing sites and applications likeHaretume andKidizenit's easier than ever to find high quality used clothes,You save money While backing up the environment in a swoop. And if you need aWardrobe upgrade, sites likeThe real real andPoshmark can help you get used designer pieces that may otherwise be prohibitively dear to aserious discount.

"Giving priority to used clothes, then tissues based on climbs or non-stttock, then to natural fibers with low impact, then recycled polyester / nylon clothing (avoiding them in Virgin microplastics if possible) "suggestsKaméa Chayne, host of the podcast of sustainabilityGreen dreamer. "

No garden? No problem! Getting a share of a community-supported agriculture plot (CSA) means that you can enjoy fresh, local fruits and vegetables, even if you have no place to cultivate them yourself - some farms and Gardens allow you even to plant yours.

"Subscribe to local CSAS on agriculture and regeneration accessible to local farmers, enrich our level of soil and nutrition in our food - and reduce food waste," says Chayne.

If you simply launch compostable containers in the trash or recycling tray, you can cause more environmental problems than you resolve.

"Composetable 'Plastic' only works if it is hand-sought and sent to an industrial composting facility," saysMichael Martin, CEO ofEffect Partners andR.Cup. "If the compostable plastic is recycling, it contaminates the entire load. If it is put in an incinerator, it frees CO2. If it goes into a discharge, it does not really compose for decades or centuries and is essentially as Petroleum plastic. If it goes into the environment, our roads, orthe oceanHe did not compete and act like plastic. "

Wine clothes, all products sent abroad are bad for the environment, largely because of the fuel, it takes for them to access you.

"Buy local or equitable products," saysMatthias Alleckna, an energy analyst toENERGYRATES.CA. "Once you start buying green products, you will encourage a conscious entire chain of the environment, which can maintain natural resources and cause a positive impact on the environment beyond your household."

A browning banana or a squash in shape strangely will not harm you really - but make the habit of leaving the food simply because it is not a perfect image can make serious damage to the environment.

"A lot of water, land and resources have gone to the culture and lifting your food. Do not throw it just because it looks ugly-attempting to use it in soups, sauces or cooking ", suggests a professional of sustainabilityLeslie ng, a business trainer for ecological entrepreneurs. IncludingReverse the market I will even sell you less than beautiful nutritious organic products with a reduction.

These are not just the plastic grocery bags that you wear your food at home that have a negative impact on the health of our planet - these production bags are not fishing. "Every week, you probably use a dozen small bags of products to take the house of your vegetables," says NG. "It's a lot of plastic that can be easily reduced by bringing your own mesh bags."

She adds thatAmazon Sells many sets of small mesh bags in matching sizes. She says they are "not only for your products, but bearing something else you may want to otherwise a plastic bag."

Jump thebottled water And install a water filter can help you make a real positive impact on the environment.

"Peter GleickDirector of the Pacific Institute, indicates that the real cost of bottled water is "likeFill a quarter of each bottle with oil, '"says green architectEric Corey Libéré, author ofGreen building and remodeling for dummies.

If you are looking to reshape your home, make sure new energy-saving windows are higher than your laundry list. "If every house in theUnited States replaced their old windows and leaks, it would retain enough energy to heat andCool 26.7 million homes One year, "said released". This is the equivalent of taking more than 323,000 cars from the road. "

Celebrate a milestone, a birthday or a birthday? Choosing ecological festive supplies can make a major difference over time. "Instead of balloons on your birthday, use biodegradable lanterns of confetti or rice paper," recommends Otjen.

If your children become too old for these pencils, they are once loved, or their markers are dried, do not drop them downin the trash-REcycle them!Colower Crayola program will recycle reused markers of school classrooms, while non-profits likeThe pencil initiative Recyclerates old pencils and distribute new manufactured from materials recycled to art programs in hospitals.

Wheneverancarable are slaughtered, it's the perfect time to go to eco-energy models. "On average, any standard device that you are upgrading to a model of ENERGY STAR will reduce its energy consumption by 30%," said released. "For example, the refrigerator is the largest single energy user ofyour house. By replacing a model of 1990 or more with a new model ENERGY STAR, you will save enough electricity to illuminate your home for four months. »

However, this does not mean you should get rid of your existing devices if it is always functional. Get this new large refrigerator or a washing machine to your home also creates its share of pollution problems.

Additional reporting of Allie Hogan.