Categories: Lifestyle

5 Everyday Hacks To Help The Environment

The recent fad or societal change we are experiencing is the need to help the environment. All countries and their companies have been urging citizens to reduce their economic footprint to decrease climate change. We have all heard the scare of the polar ice-caps melting and the threat of northern wildlife migrating south to survive. For this reason, many companies are changing their ways in order to do what they can to save the environment.

1. Water Filters

One of the biggest problems affecting our ability to help the environment are water bottles. We can easily erase this issue by installing water filters in our sinks at home. Water filters will allow you to drink tap water that doesn’t have any lead or bacteria in it. The filter literally takes out the bacteria, so all you are drinking is clean fresh water. If you do not want to install one in your kitchen sink, you can buy water filters such as a BRITA Filter that you can place in your fridge. All you have to do is fill it up with tap water and it will filter out the bacteria and lead.

2. Reusable Bottles

Metal reusable bottles are a great way for the average person to help the environment. Metal water bottles alone are great because they can keep drinks cold or hot. Citizens should try to use more reusable water bottles, as it can also help in polluting our oceans and rivers with plastic bottles. To make it easier, a lot of fast food places welcome customers to bring their own cups. For example, Starbucks Canada provides customers with a 10% discount if they bring in their own cups, and Tim Hortons gives a 10 cents discount as well. If they do not provide discounts, most places will simply give your beverage in your own cup.

3. Metal Straws

Today, you can easily buy metal straws at your local grocery store or on Amazon. Although some companies like Starbucks offer “Sippy Lids” or straw-less lids to customers, not many places do. So many plastic straws are dumped into our ocean and land where they are harmful to sea turtles and tiny birds. We can help save their lives by saying no to the plastic straws and buying metal ones. With metal straws we can reduce waste, and reuse the straws after washing them in our dishwashers or by hand.

4. Carpool

Carpool is a famous way for many people to help the environment. Instead of taking three cars, you can take one. For instance, if you and your family are commuting to work, leave a little bit early and use one car to drop everyone off at their work. You can take the same route to pick everyone up afterwards. Not only does this help in decreasing air pollution, but it can also be financially beneficial for you as well. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on gas for two cars, instead of one.

5. Other Forms Of Transportation

If you can’t carpool and walking is too far, try other forms of transportation as a way to help the environment. Taking the bus maybe a little better. However if you also want to get exercise in your commute, we highly suggest biking, skateboarding or rollerblading. Spring, Summer and Fall are great seasons for you to bike to work or roller blade to school. The are great forms of exercise and they transport you to your destination without any form of polluting.