10 Things You Can Do To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, there are easy steps that can be followed in order to lower the impact that you have on the environment. Keep in mind that small choices can be made each day to reduce your carbon footprint, and those small choices can really add up over time.

Here are 10 ideas to help you to reduce your carbon footprint:

1. Buy recycled products, and also set up a system to recycle used products at home and at the office.

2. Decrease your paper usage by switching to digital statements. Most banks and utility companies will allow you to manage your accounts online, and you can discontinue the monthly statements that are mailed to you.

3. Carry a reusable water bottle instead of purchasing a disposable water bottle whenever you are thirsty. Plastic water bottles are a big source of waste in the landfills.

4. Adjust the thermostat settings by a few degrees in order to reduce the energy that is being used. You can reduce your carbon footprint in the winter by wearing a sweater and turning down the heater. Or, in the summer you can wear light clothing and increase the thermostat temperature so that the air conditioning doesn’t run as often during the day.

5. Instead of driving your car everywhere, reduce your carbon footprint by carpooling, walking, or using public transportation. If you don’t have many options available, then consider purchasing a hybrid car or a smaller motorbike.

6. Decrease water usage at home by running the dishwasher and washing machine less often. When those large appliances are running, be sure that they are filled because running a partial load is a waste of energy and resources. Also, cut back on the amount of water that is used to water your lawn, and only water in the evening when it is cool outside.

7. Turn off all electronics when they are not in use. Leaving computers, TVs, DVD players on will use electricity. It only takes a moment to push the power button when you are done, and turning off the power can help to reduce your carbon footprint.

8. Be sure that your house has good insulation, which will prevent the heating and cooling systems from over working. Also, check the seals on the windows and doors, because heat can be lost through small cracks.

9. Replace old appliances with energy efficient appliances. If your fridge, dishwasher, washing machine, or dryer is over 15 years old, then it should be replaced with a newer energy efficient model that will use less electricity.

10. Shop at farmers markets instead of large grocery store chains. Transportation costs are greatly reduced when you shop for locally grown food items.

You can make a difference and reduce your carbon footprint by following these simple steps. Start out slowly, and over time you will be able to change your daily habits.