Earth Day: 10 Easy Ways to be More Green

Going green has never been more important. Not to freak you out, each day businesses in the U.S. go through enough paper to circle the earth... twenty times! Yikes. Additionally, each year Americans toss out around twenty-five trillion Styrofoam cups. Super yikes. So, what can you do to make a difference? As it turns out, a lot. Here are 10 tips to get started.

Industrial meat is responsible for a lot of environmental damage and requires a massive amount of land to sustain itself. Luckily, it's never been easier to choose meat alternatives thanks to technology. That's right, companies like Beyond Meat, among others, are creating alternatives to traditional meat. That way you can enjoy plant-based ground meat made without GMOs, soy, or gluten all while enjoying the deliciousness of ground beef. So next time you have friends over for BBQ, consider making a plant-based choice instead.

You might think freezing your leftover compostable food is gross, but the act of freezing actually greatly reduces any odor the food could omit. Look into your local farmer's market or community garden, as they often have compost drop-offs. Composting helps to fortify soil, retain moisture, and keeps various plant diseases and pests. at bay. Make this part of your Saturday morning routine and you'll be that much closer to making the world a greener place.

This one is pretty simple- if your products spend less time having to get to you, then their environmental impact is lower. Imagine onions from update NY being delivered to NYC versus being flown in from abroad. Most supermarkets will label local products, so next time you're shopping just take an extra moment to seek them out. This isn't limited to produce either. Beauty products, honey, wine, and even flowers can all be bought locally. Who knows, you might discover your next favorite product.

This is good news for those who are house plant obsessed. Plants like peace lilies, weeping figs, and boston ferns basically have superpowers. They can reduce mold, remove formaldehyde, and pump more oxygen into your room. A simple plant can actually work really hard at creating better air and a healthier environment for you at home. Bonus: they look great too! So get your spray bottle ready and get shopping.

Consider swapping your paper napkins, paper towels, and other paper products for cloth ones. You can even take this one a step further and repurpose your old t-shirts and other clothing items to use. Instead of cleaning your windows and mirrors with a paper towel, you now have a reusable, more durable option. Cloth napkins can be used time and time again too- and they. make your table look that much more beautiful.

Instead of throwing out old glass jars, consider using them for a different purpose. Keep the lid, and fill them up to hold dry goods like rice, lentils, or flour. Depackaging your products also help your pantry to look beautiful and you can locate your food items more easily. Larger jars can be used for food prep or even durable lunch boxes.

Next time you have the itch to go shopping, pause and carefully consider all options available to you. Can you check out some vintage or thrift stores in your community? Are there any Facebook groups of people selling second-hand clothes or freecycling? If you really want to buy something new then before you make the purchase ask yourself if that item will withstand 30 uses. If yes, you've likely got a winner. If not, it's not necessary and only adding to your environmental impact.

Yes, you read that right. Many of your favorite beauty products can be found in refillable options. Ever feel guilty about throwing out bottle after bottle? Now you can use them and simply have them refilled. It sure makes a lot of sense- why would we need to keep buying new bottles of the same product? Reduce your use of plastic, and find new amazing products while you do it. Look up refillable brands and enjoy a whole new world of options.

Ok, this one might seem old-fashioned, but stay with us a minute. Do you know that sweet, fresh laundry smell? The kind of that is sun-kissed and makes your laundry feel so amazing against your skin? Well, t here's one sure-fire way to achieve such delicious laundry- line dry it! This also cuts down on the energy your home dryer produces too. Pro tip- soak delicates in the tub with you on your next bath and place them outside to dry- two birds, one stone.

Did you know that most tea bags are made with plastic? And then you dip that in piping hot water to brew your tea? Cue: internal scream. Luckily there's another, more eco-friendly option- looseleaf! You can still get your favorite tastes like chamomile, peppermint, or sage-- simply by a reusable tea infuser. Be careful though, the world of loose leaf tea is a deep, exciting, and adventurous one.