How eco-friendly are you? It’s time to find out! Do you know how many trees are cut down for food packaging every year? How much water goes into producing your favorite yogurt brands? Or how about the amount of energy it takes to produce a single hamburger patty.
In today’s modern world, we depend on many products to make our lives better and more efficient. The problem is that many of those products come from the Earth, which has harmful side effects. Here are 40 ways that you can reduce your environmental impact by following an eco-food lifestyle:
Table of Contents
1. Make Your Meals With Leftovers In Mind
One thing that households use a lot of is the freezer, which wastes a lot of energy and natural resources. Instead of letting those leftovers go to waste, freeze them for future use – remember to label everything! If you’re not going to eat your leftovers within 24 hours, place them in the refrigerator.
2. Eat Seasonally
You may have noticed how your grocery stores are packed with all kinds of fresh produce year-round – even ones that aren’t typically in season in certain places! When it’s in season, buying produce means that you’re getting a fresher product, which can reduce spoilage and support local farmers.
3. Buy In Bulk
When you buy in bulk, you’ll always have a variety of foods to choose from and only purchase the amount you need. Buying in bulk also cuts down on excess packaging waste, which is better for the environment. Plus, buying in bulk can save you money – especially if your household eats a lot of food!
4. Compost Your Organic Waste
Composting your organic waste means that you can reuse it, reducing the demand for landfill space and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It also gives your soil nutrients to grow healthy plants in. If you don’t have an area to compost, create worm composter bins to get the same benefits.
5. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Reducing your waste means that you’re using fewer resources in the first place – meaning less damage to the environment. Reusing items can help them stay out of landfills for longer periods. Recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the demand for raw materials.
6. Don’t Pre-Wash Your Produce
Pre-washing your produce can damage or destroy microorganisms that prevent fruit and vegetables from spoiling faster. It also increases water waste and energy use since many dishwashers use much hot water. If you don’t feel comfortable eating unwashed produce, soak them in saltwater (about 1 tablespoon per gallon) for five minutes.
7. Take Advantage Of Energy-Efficient Appliances
If you’re replacing any of your appliances, consider purchasing Energy Star rated devices that are up to 25% more energy efficient than standard ones – and can save you money on your utility bills! Also, make sure to clean or replace your fridge and freezer filters, as they can make appliances less efficient.
8. Set Your Dishwasher On The Proper Cycle And Use Cold Water Whenever Possible
Since dishwashers use a lot of water, you should always set yours on the appropriate cycle. Only run it when it’s full and use cold water instead of hot whenever possible. The benefit is that cold water uses less energy and can save you a lot of money on your utility bills!
9. Wash Only Full Loads Of Dishes In Your Dishwasher
Running an empty dishwasher wastes a lot of water, energy, and time. Plus, it’s bad for those who have allergies. Make sure to run the dishwasher when it’s full to reduce waste.
10. Keep Your Fridge And Freezer Properly Maintained
Many household appliances use a lot of energy, but fridges and freezers are particularly bad offenders! Make sure that both are always in tip-top shape by keeping the seals lubricated and the door closed for as little time as possible. Also, clean them regularly to prevent bacteria growth.
11. Air Dry Dishes Instead Of Using A Drying Rack
Using a dish rack uses up extra water that you could be saving for later. Dish towels are absorbent enough, so use them instead of wasting energy on extra water. If you use a dish rack, make sure to clean it regularly – otherwise, bacteria can flourish and become an environmental hazard.
12. Don’t Throw Food Out
We’re all guilty of wasting food at some point or another – but most Americans throw away around 25% of the food they buy! If you reduce your waste, you’ll reduce the amount of food that you have to buy – which, in turn, reduces your environmental impact.
13. Shop With A List And Stick To It
Without a list, you’re more likely to pick up items that aren’t on your grocery list or end up forgetting what you wanted. Make sure that your shopping habits are eco-friendly by making a list before you go shopping, then sticking to it!
14. Cut Down On Meat And Animal Products
Many studies have shown that meat is one of the biggest contributors to our carbon footprint. If you want to reduce your environmental impact, cutting down on or completely removing meat from your diet can help – no matter if you go vegetarian or vegan.
15. Drink Water From The Tap And Skip Bottled Water Whenever You Can
Bottled water is a huge waste of resources and money, not to mention it may even be less safe than tap water! If you want to cut your environmental impact as much as possible, drink from the tap whenever possible. If you prefer filtered water, make sure to use a reusable stainless steel or glass container.
16. Buy Local
Produce that travels a long distance from another country or continent is more likely to be grown using non-eco-friendly methods. Buying produce from local farmers can keep carbon emissions down and benefit your community!
17. Don’t Bag At The Checkout
Most cashiers already have to bag items even when you don’t, so it’ll save them time if you carry your items out rather than make them bag them for you. It can also reduce the number of plastic bags in circulation – meaning less plastic in our environment!
18. Learn About The Food You’re Buying
Studies have shown that the more you know about where your food comes from – or how it was made, for example – the more likely you are to buy eco-friendly products. If you want to reduce your environmental impact, always ask questions when buying groceries!
19. Shop With Reusable Grocery Bags
Sure, bringing your reusable grocery bags means that you’ll have to spend a few extra minutes at the store – but it’s better for the environment. Plus, you can get some cute bags to show off that are perfect for carrying groceries!
20. Use Cloth Grocery Bags
In addition to using your reusable bags, you can also use cloth grocery bags! They’re not only reusable and way cuter than plastic bags, but they help reduce the amount of plastic in our environment.
21. Use A Sink-Based Compost Bin
Composting can be difficult if you don’t have a yard, so try using a sink-based compost bin! This way, you get the benefits of composting minus having to worry about finding an outdoor space to do it.
22. Read Food Labels
Most of us don’t think twice when we see the label “all-natural” on our favorite products – but it’s important to remember that there are no clear requirements for using this term. If you want to avoid foods with hidden chemicals, be sure to read the label before buying anything – even if it says all-natural.
23. Don’t Let Food Spoil
Using your products before they go bad is one of the best ways to reduce waste and cut down on food costs! On average, most people throw away around 20 pounds of food each month – most often because it was already spoiled when they bought it. Learn how to tell when food is bad to keep your food from waste.
24. Cut Caffeine
Caffeine can come from various sources, and you should avoid as many as possible if you want to reduce your environmental impact. Some non-eco-friendly sources of caffeine include coffee, soda, energy drinks – even chocolate!
25. Cut out Bottled Water
This one may seem easy, but it’s harder than you think to cut out bottled water completely! While most people recognize that plastic water bottles are wasteful, some don’t realize that they’re still purchasing bottled sparkling or mineral water – which is just as bad for the environment while not being any better for your health.
FAQ’s
Q: How can I reduce my environmental impact?
A: Use reusable produce bags and bring your grocery bags whenever possible. Also, learn to compost and use a sink-based compost bin! Try to eat more local produce and avoid products with the “all-natural” label if you want to cut waste drastically. Don’t let food spoil – store it correctly so you can eat all of your groceries. Last but not least, cut out bottled water!
Q: Why is drinking bottled water bad for the environment?
A: Drinking bottled water can be bad for your health, and it’s terrible for the environment. The process of making plastic bottles releases toxins into our air, drinking from them wastes a lot of water, and most often, they’re not recycled. Instead of buying single-use bottles, try investing in a reusable glass or steel bottle so you can stay hydrated guilt-free!
Q: What is the benefit of composting?
A: Composting reduces food waste, creates great soil for your garden, and helps reduce the amount of plastic in our environment. There are many benefits to composting that most people don’t even think about!
Q: How can I tell if my food is bad?
A: The best way to tell if your food is bad is color and consistency. Using this handy guide will ensure that you never have to waste another piece of good food!
Q: What should I do with compost after it’s done?
A: If you’re not using your compost to grow anything, try to find a local friend who can take it off your hands. Otherwise, if you have the space outside, try using it as fertilizer for your plants!
Conclusion
We know, we know. It can feel overwhelming to read about all of the ways you could be doing better for the environment just by making small changes in your day-to-day life. The good news is that there are many simple things that anyone with a bit of creativity and determination can do to impact our planet without too much sacrifice or effort involved! Read through this list if you need some ideas for reducing your everyday environmental impact with the eco-food lifestyle. Which items on here do you want to start implementing today?
