5 Easy Ways To Be More Eco-Friendly At Home

Happy Earth Day! Did you know today marks the 50th year of celebrating Earth Day? It's true - the world's first Earth Day occurred in 1970! Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. The day has grown to include events coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network in more than 193 countries.

So, in keeping with the mission of today's celebrations and initiatives, we've outlined a few super easy tips on how you can be more sustainable/eco-friendly at home - check them out below:

USE LESS PAPER & RECYCLE

This one is a given that we have been hearing for years, but it's always good to reinforce this idea as it can be a simple change. One way to cut down on the use of paper is to rely on your computer, tablet or phone for note taking and file keeping. Gone are the days where everything needs to be written down in a notebook or printed in order to keep record - instead, pop open that digital notebook whenever something needs to be noted or if something needs to be filed, file it away on your computer. If you do have to use paper products or cardboard, recycling is easy. Just keep separate trash bags for trash and recyclables and you're on the path to living more eco-friendly!

USE CANVAS BAGS INSTEAD OF PLASTIC/PAPER

Those canvas bags you see people carrying around at the grocery store aren't just trendy - they are helping the environment. The bags may cost a little upfront to acquire, but they are worth it in the long run. They're sturdier than plastic or paper bags, they can be used for several other things you do on a regular basis and some grocery stores even offer a discount if they see you are using your own bags rather than needing their plastic or paper ones. If you don't want to invest in canvas bags, think about re-using the plastic or paper ones you already have!

INVEST IN THE RIGHT LIGHT BULBS

The next time you have a light bulb burn out, replace it with something more eco-friendly such as a compact fluorescent light. CFL bulbscan last five times longer than other light bulbs and use much less electricity and energy. As a plus, they are also brighter so you can get away with needing less lights/lamps turned on around your home.

USE WASHABLE/REUSABLE DINNERWARE

Instead of opting for paper plates and plastic cups for your meals that create more waste, opt for dinnerware that can be washed and re-used. It really doesn't even take much extra effort, especially if you have a dishwasher that does most of the work. Plus, you can find cute and affordable dinnerware and silverware at several places, including Target.

USE MESH BAGS WHEN BUYING/STORING FRUITS & VEGETABLES

To further cut down on your plastic and cardboard use, you can switch up what you use when you shop for food and how you store it. A great example is fruit and veggies. The grocery stores offers those little plastic bags to put your veggies in, but instead of using those baggies, you can get mesh bags (check them out) that serve a dual purpose - use them to carry around your veggies when you're buying them AND use them to store those veggies when you get home. Win, win!

Easy enough, right? We understand most of these changes are lifestyle changes, so they will take time to get used to and to fully implement, but when thinking about the impact these things can have on our Earth, it's an easy decision to make.

What tips would you add to this post? How are you getting creative with eco-friendly/sustainability in your home? Keep following the MODTEMPO blog for more tips on interior design, style, taking care of your home, and more!