10 Tips for BEE-ing a Better Earth Citizen

We all want to do our part to help make this Earth we inhabit a better place to live for all beings.

While issues such as climate change, deforestation, and drought can’t be solved in one day or by one person, there are small things we can each do to help reduce landfill waste, clean the air, and preserve our natural landscape.

Each day you have choices that can help contribute to the bigger picture by creating lasting change — and it doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive!

We’ve rounded up 10 tips you can turn into habits that are both attainable and won’t break the bank….

1. Get a reusable water bottle.

Purchase a stainless-steel water bottle to refill at home and cut down on single-use plastic. Not only will you save a ton of money, but you will also help to reduce unnecessary waste. It’s a win-win!

2. Swap your stuff.

Go green by hosting a fun clothing swap with your friends and family. This is a super cheap way to get a new wardrobe, conserve resources, and have fun while doing so!

3. Turn out the lights.

Perhaps a no-brainer, but turning off lights when not in use conserves energy and saves extra cash on your monthly utility bill. Another option is to install “smart” light switches with an occupancy sensor, timer, or other auto-shutoff feature.

4. Go to the farmers market.

Not only is local, seasonal produce more flavorful, it helps to support your community! Plus, locally grown produce requires less fuel to transport, which helps cut down on carbon emissions.

5. Bring your own reusable bags.

Minimize single-use plastic bag waste by bringing your own reusable bags to the store. Many health and natural food stores, such as Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Market, carry affordable totes for purchase. It’s also a good idea to purchase reusable produce bags and opt for produce that is NOT wrapped in plastic or sold in a plastic container.

6. Eat less meat.

Improve your health and the planet by eating more vegetarian/vegan meals. Plant farming requires much less water, energy, fertilizer, and pesticides than animal farming. Even as little as one meal per week without meat is a step in the right direction.

7. Join a carpool.

Whether it’s your commute to work or a special event, carpooling is less wasteful than taking multiple cars, plus the quality time spent with friends and family will be appreciated.

8. Say no to plastic straws.

Help our ocean friends and say no to plastic straws! Minimize pollution by purchasing stainless-steel, glass, or silicone straws. There are plenty of options to choose from both in-store and online.

9. Get your receipts/statements by email.

Save our trees by minimizing unnecessary paper production. Start storing your receipts in your inbox, the cloud, or on a hard drive, and enroll in paperless bank statements. Super simple!

10. Donate

By donating unwanted items instead of throwing them away, you can help reduce carbon emissions because you won’t be adding to the landfill. If you’d rather make some cash, have a yard sale or try one of the many online sites/apps for reselling used clothing and household goods!