There’s a lot of talk about the environment, ways to protect the environment, problems of the earth, global warming and climate change these days. So much that it’s getting kind of hard to see through the overdose of information! These doable tips and easy ways to protect the environment and to preserve our surrounding eco-system while at home makes us start at the ground level. Our homes. And it isn’t as hard as you think! Here are 9 easy ways to protect the environment – all of which you can start doing today!

9 easy ways to protect the environment

To protect the environment, you can start at home. Here are some easy ways to protect the environment. You can start gradually, and move on to bigger things that can mean contributing at a larger level by championing causes that are close to your heart.

Make your child eco-conscious

One of the first steps in making your child eco-conscious is to be eco-friendly yourself. This is an important step that you should not forget. You can talk about saving the environment and all the perils we face because of the damage we are causing, but if you don’t practice what you preach, it is unlikely that you are creating the right impact.

One of the first steps in making your child eco-conscious is to be eco-friendly yourself.

Involving your children in eco-friendly practices helps them get acquainted with green living more quickly. Start with simple tasks such as asking them to segregate between wet and dry garbage or involving them in making some DIY things for your home.

Quick fact: Did you know that disposable diapers are the 3rd largest consumer items in landfills? They represent 30% of non-biodegradable waste.

Must Read: How to raise an environment-friendly child

Make your own DIY cleaners for home

Nothing works better than a mix of equal amounts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to it and you have your custom cleansing solution. Use tea-tree or lemon essential oils for your kitchen solution. It will leave your kitchen fragrant and insect free too.

Segregate waste when you dispose

While I am yet to master how to reduce the quantity of our waste, what I do ensure is how to dispose the existing garbage correctly. Having separate bins for organic waste, tins, plastic etc. so that they can be recycled appropriately. Most societies and gated communities we reside in today insist on segregating the dry and wet garbage. Before tossing something into the dustbin, think twice about whether there’s any way you can reuse it. If you have the option, do think of starting a compost bin that can be used in your garden.

Grow your own vegetables

If you have space for a few pots or even a small piece of land, it is a wise decision to grow your own organic vegetable garden. When you grow your own vegetables, you will have no additives in your vegetables. There will be no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers used. These chemical products are applied to obtain crops all the time regardless of plagues or weather conditions, and affect the quality of the vegetables. Besides, pesticides are usually poisonous to humans. Because you know what you are growing! Since you will grow your own organic vegetables, you will go that extra mile and take the precautions that they are safe to consume. And you will eat healthy food!

MUST READ: 7 REASONS TO GROW YOUR OWN VEGETABLE GARDEN

Use products with natural ingredients

Do you how many chemicals we bring into our homes in the form of personal care products and household cleaners? If you take the time to sit down and actually list everything out, you’re sure to be shocked! This really is avoidable, considering that there are many eco-friendly alternatives for everything – baby products, cosmetics, detergents and other cleaners. Doing this ensures that you and your family are safe from chemicals and that you aren’t polluting the soil or water bodies. The next time you are opting for a fabric cleaner or a cleaning ingredient for your home, opt for natural ones.

Avoid disposable options

It can be hard to stay away from disposable options – they can be very convenient! However, they all land up in the dreaded landfills, especially sanitary napkins, diapers, paper plates, plastic cutlery and Styrofoam packaging. A diaper can take about 200 years to fully decompose, so imagine how much harm we’re doing. Opt for alternative options like menstrual cups, cloth diapers and reusable cutlery and crockery. You can always use newspaper as a biodegradable packing material. When you order from outside, opt for no cutlery!

Go paper-less

When you choose not to opt for paper mails or bills, you are doing your bit to save the trees. Honestly, I have zero recollection of when I last received a paper bill. Since most of my transactions are seamless e-mail or SMS based, I have reminders popping up on my phone on when a particular bill needs to be paid. Think about how much paper you can save just by getting bank statements and bills sent electronically and paid the same way.

MUST READ: ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION

Reduce the consumption of plastic

One of the biggest banes of our world is the excessive amount of plastic we’re using and tossing. Did you know that India generates nearly 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day, making it the 15th biggest plastic polluter globally? Discarded plastic waste litter the country’s roads, rivers and also form huge mounds in garbage dumps across the country. Buy products that come in paper bags or recyclable packaging. Carry cloth bags when you go shopping.

Use appliances smartly

We can’t do away with appliances altogether, but we can use them smartly to reduce the power consumption. You can choose to opt for energy efficient appliances when buying, and ensure timely maintenance so that they continue to work optimally. Switch off appliances and pull out the plug to prevent power wastage. Turn off the switches if your chargers are connected to sockets. Implement smart practices like loading the washing machine only when full, not over stuffing the fridge or freezer and finishing your ironing in one go. These small steps work towards easy ways to protect the environment.

These are some sure-shot and easy ways to protect the environment. Which one of these are you going to start working on?

This post is part of Blogchatter’s #CauseAChatter and also the Half Marathon.