Collectively, small lifestyle changes can make a huge impact on the environment–and your life. Looking for happiness and health? What’s good for the environment is also, it turns out, great for you. Here’s a collection of tips from the No Impact community.
Lots of people now bring their own shopping bags to the grocery store, but a lot of folks are still using *many* plastic produce bags while shopping. About a year ago my husband and I started to reuse our plastic produce bags. Most of them just carry bulk stuff (grains, granola, trail mix) or organic produce and can be reused without washing. When they get sticky or wet, we wash them in the sink with mild soap and hang them to dry. We also reuse the bags our bread comes in (sandwich bread, burger buns) — they tend to be really sturdy.
It’s good to bring your own shopping bags to the market, but even better to bring shopping bags and a healthy supply of produce bags, too! An easy way to reduce your impact. You can also inspire other folks who will see you shopping with reused bags and follow your lead.
An added plus: some stores will credit you $.05 or so for each bag brought from home.
This post was submitted by Karen.
I have parked my car and se an electric bike, public transit or my thumb to get around.
This post was submitted by mynalee johnstone.
Instead of using the paper towels available in the bathrooms, I bring a cloth with me to dry off my hands.
This post was submitted by Hallei.
Stop buying magazines, newspapers, books, dvd’s and cd’s – use your local library instead. Your library already purchases many of these items with your tax – make good use of it. Recycling a purchased book these can be checked out make one book get a thousand uses. Libraries also house free programs, reference services and many other services. Make good use of this resource and be part of your community through your library.
This post was submitted by Betsy.
By getting rid of the second car and commuting to work (10 miles each way) by either bike for at least 9 months of the year, or a combination of bike and train when the Scottish winter kicks in.
This post was submitted by Iain Gray.