Now more than ever it feels important for all of us to do our part when it comes to preserving our earth and its environment. While we all want to do our best to be greener, we don’t always know how best to do that. If you want to go greener this new year, try these 5 suggestions below:

1. Re-use Before You Recycle

 Nearly everything we buy from the grocery store comes in a plastic or glass container. While your first instinct may be to throw these containers in the recycling bin after using them, consider if they can be re-used first. A lot of products are packaged in resealable plastic or glass containers that can be used to store food and other things. By re-using these containers, you reduce the number of recyclables that take time and energy to be repurposed.

2. Thrift Shop

 Thanks to fast fashion, more inexpensive clothing is being produced regularly, meaning consumers are quickly replacing them with the newest styles. This leads to an influx of clothing that can’t be sold or is thrown out in the garbage bin. Discarded clothing makes up 85% of the rubbish in landfills each year. Next time you need some new threads, check your local thrift shop or Goodwill. You will save money and save the environment at the same time.

3. Buy From Local Farms

 When you buy from big produce and animal product companies, you’re not sure what you’re getting. These commercial companies typically use harmful chemicals for fertilizing their produce which can endanger the earth their grown in. Animals raised in commercial farms are mistreated and fed growth hormones that later transfer to you, the consumer. By buying your food locally, you are supporting a small business owner as well as cutting back on the demand for highly processed, environmentally harmful produce and meat products.

4. Carpool

 Whether you’re going to work, shop, eat, play, carpooling with a friend will reduce the number of cars on the road, thus reducing the amount of transmission gas in the air. If possible, take turns with your friends and family driving. You’ll save gas as well as helping the environment. When you can, opt to walk or ride your bike. You’ll be reducing the amount of traffic on the road even more and burning some extra calories while you’re at it.

5. Make Your Own Household Cleaners

 Many household cleaners are filled with chemicals we can’t even pronounce. These chemicals can be harmful to our environment and water system when they are flushed down our drains. If you want to disinfect your home while being kind to the environment, opt for natural cleaners. A mixture of alcohol, water, and lemon juice acts as a natural disinfectant for most surfaces. Alcohol kills germs while lemon juice adds a fresh smell to the cleaning solution. Plus, they are both natural solutions that don’t harm the environment.

Greener Is Better

There are many ways to go greener this new year without drastically changing your lifestyle. A few changes here and there can make a huge difference when practiced regularly. If you want to go greener this year, follow the advice above. You won’t notice much of a difference, but Mother Earth surely will.