In a world of technology and the constant need to be more and more eco-friendly, it can sometimes get a little overwhelming trying to think of new ways to help do your part in saving the planet. Most people already know the reasons that they should try to be greener. What many don’t know is that it doesn’t have to be a lengthy, expensive process.
Of course, you should eventually go solar and always, always recycle, but there are a few other ways that you can go green without even breaking a sweat. Read on below for a few of those easy ways to be revealed.
Go Paperless
From invitations for your wedding to birthday and Christmas cards, companies like Paperless Post make it easy for you to do your part when it comes to saving the earth from destruction. But don’t stop there with your paperless mission: receive and pay all your bills online to ensure you’re paperless in every aspect of your life.
Stream Your Movies and TV Shows
From Dracula on Netflix to the Marvel franchise on Disney+, sites like these as well as Amazon Prime, Hulu, iQiyi, Crunchyroll, and even the WWE Network, are making it easier for their customers to go green. Instead of paying for that DVD to come in the mail or buying the hard copy at the store, buy, rent, or stream your free movies and TV shows online. You’re saving the environment in a number of ways by doing this.
- The mail carrier doesn’t have to deliver them to you, saving on gas and other chemicals that pollute the environment
- No hard copy needs to be made
- Saves you money as well
Stop Using Plastic Straws
Did you know that billions of plastic straws are piling up in the trash on a yearly basis? Not only do they fill up the trash cans, the ones that don’t make it there are blighting the seas and rivers, which puts wildlife at risk. It can take up to 200 years for plastic straws to decompose, making them doubly dangerous for the environment and for wildlife. Stop using plastic straws. It’s unnecessary when you can just sip that drink from the glass instead. This is an easy way to go green: simply don’t buy plastic straws and stop asking for them in bars and restaurants. Of course, if you must use one, try buying a sustainable one that you can reuse.
Plant a Tree
If going out into your yard and planting a tree is something you can’t do, or you can’t where you live, then there are other ways to be responsible for planting a tree. There are many sites online that take donations to plant trees. There are even search engines that plant trees with the money they receive from their ads. Look up one of these sites or search engines and do your part by donating to have a tree planted. If you can, plant one in your own yard as well. Not only will you be doing your part to go green, but you’ll also have a wonderful tree for shade down the line.
Purchase a Kindle/Read Online
While there is no better feeling than spending hours browsing the stacks at your local library or buying books from the local bookstore, trees are used to make the pages of those books. If you want to do your part to save the environment, try buying a kindle or reading your books online. No paper is wasted and there are even monthly subscriptions that will let you have all the books you want to read at your fingertips.
These are just a few of the simple ways you can go green without even trying. Most of these can be done from the comfort of your couch. What could be easier than that?
I write like I think—fast, curious, and a little feral. I chase the weird, the witty, and the why-is-this-happening-now. From AI meltdowns to fashion glow-ups, if it makes you raise an eyebrow or rethink your algorithm, I’m probably writing about it. Expect sharp takes, occasional sarcasm, and zero tolerance for boring content.
