Are you concerned about the future of our planet? Do you want to find ways you can help make a positive impact and reduce your carbon footprint? While it would be nice to buy an expensive electric car or install solar panels on your roof, those options aren’t always in the budget. However, there are plenty of ways you can reduce your impact on our planet that won’t cost a fortune.

Purchase an Electric Scooter

Cutting back on how much you drive your car can reduce your impact on our environment. Emissions from vehicles add to air pollution and contribute to global warming. Even cutting back the amount you drive your car just a little can make a difference.

Instead of jumping in the car and driving when you only have to travel a short distance, consider using an electric scooter. Using an adult electric scooter instead of a car for short trips will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. So, next time you’re just running to the grocery store for a few items, or stopping by a friend’s house, consider taking your electric scooter instead of driving your car.

Recycle

Being conscious about the things you throw out is also important. Our landfills and oceans are filling up with trash. Much of what is being thrown away can actually be recycled. Before you toss something in the trash, think about whether it could be recycled. Most paper, plastic, and metal products are recyclable in most states. It’s now become much easier to recycle iPads, smartphones, laptops and other electronics as well through online sites!

In addition to recycling materials, look for opportunities to find another use for things you don’t need anymore. Empty containers can be used for storing items, grocery bags can be saved for your next shopping trip, and old clothes or bedding can be turned into rags for cleaning or even repurposed as a rug. 

Hang Your Clothes Up to Dry

Dryers use a lot of energy to dry a load of laundry. In addition to costing you money every month, air-drying your clothes can decrease your household’s carbon footprint by around 2,400 pounds each year. It won’t cost much at all to do this; you’ll just need to purchase a clothesline and some clothespins or a drying rack.

Install a New Thermostat

A lot of energy is wasted heating or cooling our homes. And, frequently they are heated or cooled for no one since many homes are empty during working hours or vacations. Instead of leaving your HVAC system set to the same temperature all day, install a programmable thermostat in your home. This will allow you to control the temperature of your home when you are away. For example, if you normally set your air conditioning at 72 degrees, you can bump it up to 78 during the day when you won’t be home. Then, shortly before you’ll arrive back home, you can program the thermostat to decrease the temperature in your home. Not only can a programmable thermostat prevent wasted energy, but it can also save you money on your electric bills.

Purchase Local Organic Foods

Purchasing foods that are grown or raised locally is another way you can reduce your carbon footprint. Fruits, vegetables, meats, and other foods that do not come from your area need to be shipped to the stores near you. This can cause emissions of greenhouse gasses from the various vehicles transporting them.

Additionally, non-organic fruits and vegetables are typically grown using fossil fuel-based fertilizers. These fertilizers can contribute to global warming or pollute animal habitats or water.

As you can see, you can make a big impact on your carbon footprint by just making a few small changes to your routines. Don’t forget to encourage friends and family to make these changes with you as it will have an even greater positive impact on our planet.