Renewable Energy & Heat Sources: Using renewable energy to power your home is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Solar Power is compatible with most homes and will reduce your energy bill and dependence on the grid. Also, heat pumps are a more efficient way to heat your home and they use less energy. If you pair solar power and heat pumps you will definitely be saving on your energy bills and reducing your carbon footprint. 

Transportation: Switching to a hybrid or an electric vehicle is a terrific way to cut down on your carbon footprint. You can learn more about the federal and state incentives for purchasing an electric or hybrid vehicle in our recent blog post. If switching to an electric or hybrid vehicle is not an option for you, there are other ways you can bring down your driving footprint. You can carpool, combine multiple trips into one, and take public transit when available. There are many ways in which you can reduce your carbon footprint through your travel options. 

Shop Local: Shopping local is not only a great way to support your community, but it is also better for the environment. It reduces the carbon footprint of the item’s lifecycle. The carbon footprint of he item is reduce even more when it is made or grown locally. Additionally, putting more money into your local economy is a great way to encourage the community to take care of it and protect its natural resources. 

Eco-Friendly Products: There are a lot of products that we use on a daily basis that can easily be switched out for more eco-friendly ones. There are many cleaning products and toilet paper brands that are eco-friendly and readily available at local stores. Be sure to check out the packaging for eco-friendly options the next time you need to pick them up. Additional products that can create a lot of waste that have eco-friendly alternatives are shampoo, wrapping paper, and straws. Switching to eco-friendly versions of all these products will have a positive impact on the environment. 

Green Makeup & Beauty Products: Consider checking out eco friendly makeup and beauty products the next time you need to purchase these items. It is an excellent way to vote with your dollar and support companies that are doing their part to protect the environment. You can also find a salon that only uses eco friendly products for your next haircut. It is a great way to stay green and feel beautiful. 

Clothing: Fast fashion is a big contributor to carbon emissions. To do your part in reducing the demand for fast fashion you can purchase secondhand clothing and donate your gently used clothing. Another option is to only buy clothes that you need, and not an item that you may wear once or twice. Also, borrowing clothes from friends and family is an excellent way to save money and reduce carbon emissions from fast fashion. Lastly, you can research clothing companies that have sustainable practices and support them. 

Reusable Water Bottles: Plastic is harmful for the environment and it is costly to buy plastic water bottles for daily use. Try switching to a reusable water bottle instead. It will save you money and is better for the environment. Plus, there are plenty of fun water bottles to select from that you will want to show off.  

Reusable Food Storage: When packing food for lunch or storing it at home, opt for reusable containers instead of plastic bags. Not only do they save you money in the long run, but they are also better for the environment. If you do need to use plastic bags, try to use them more than once to extend their life. Reusable containers are an excellent way to store your food in an eco-friendly manner. 

Printing: Printing at home or the office can take a toll on the environment. In an electronic world, think twice before you print something out. If you need to print it, set the printer so it prints on both sides of the paper. You can also buy recycled paper which is better for the environment.