Everything we do affects the environment, and it is our responsibility to sustain it as best we can; right now and for future generations. We all have the power to make a positive impact and reduce our carbon footprint. So, here are some tips for living a greener lifestyle and helping preserve our planet:

Recycle. There are many products you can recycle to help reduce the piles of miscellaneous items in landfills. Recyclable items such as paper, plastics, and glass can be reused reducing vast amounts of energy and pollution. Other recyclable items such as batteries, used oil, and household hazardous waste contain materials harmful to the environment if not disposed of properly. You can contact your local waste management to find out the best way to recycle these products.

Start Composting. Not going to eat last night’s leftovers? Don’t waste it, compost it! Composting is another great way to reduce landfill piles and methane gases while helping plants grow. It consists of organic material such as food scraps and yard waste that can be added to soil to enrich plant growth.

Use Green Products. A lot of the things we buy are made from materials that can negatively affect our health and environment. When shopping for cleaning supplies, household appliances, and maintenance services, look for products with labels and logos that are eco-friendly, energy saving, and made from recycled products.

Be green at home, work, and school. When you’re at home, unplug and turn off power hungry electronics not in use and use rechargeable batteries. Bring your lunch to school or work in reusable containers and bags, and use a thermos instead of purchasing bottled drinks. You can reduce your paper consumption by changing your printer settings to make double-sided copies by default, paying bills online, and signing-up for electronic statements.

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“Reducing Waste: What You Can Do.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 9 Jan. 2017. “How Do I Recycle? Common Recyclables.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 5 Jan. 2017. “Household Hazardous Waste.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 12 Apr. 2017. “Labels and Logos.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 17 May 2017.