What does it mean to give back to the environment? What are some ways that you can do this? These are questions that many people ask themselves. Giving back to the environment is an admirable way of showing respect for our planet and all its inhabitants. There are plenty of things that you can do in your life or with your business to help protect Mother Earth.
Tips on How to Give Back to the Environment:
1) Reduce, reuse, recycle
Every time you make a purchase, think about how it impacts the environment. Instead of buying disposable products that will be thrown away after one use or application, find ways to reduce your consumption and buy reusable items instead. For example: using cloth grocery bags rather than plastic ones can prevent hundreds of pounds of landfill waste each year.
As well, try to reuse items when you can. For example: instead of using paper napkins at home, use old t-shirts or cloth dishtowels as towels in the kitchen. Paper towels are made from trees which are a precious natural resource that should be preserved. By cutting down on your wastage and reusing what you already have, you are doing your part in protecting the environment.
2) Compost
Did you know that food waste makes up approximately 12% of the total solid municipal waste? That’s a lot! If all this organic material were composted, it would reduce methane gas emissions and help protect our waterways. You can do your part by recycling household items like bottles, cans, plastic bags, and composting food scraps.
If you don’t have your garden, find a community garden that will accept compost or ask if they would be willing to start one. If not, maybe there is an organization in your area where you could drop off the food waste for someone else to use as fertilizer. For example, local shelters may welcome any extra produce from your garden.
You could also start a worm farm at home to compost your food scraps and create rich fertilizer for your plants. While it may seem like a lot of work upfront, over time, the benefits will be worth all that extra effort!
3) Plant trees
Planting a tree not only helps your local environment but can also be beneficial for you! Trees provide shade, which means that the temperature of an area will decrease because there is less direct sunlight. What’s more, many species help to clean the air around them by removing pollutants and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, making their surroundings healthier.
If you have your garden or yard, consider adding a few trees to help shade the area and lower temperatures. If not, why not ask if there is an empty lot in your neighborhood that might be suitable for planting? Planting trees can also help reduce noise pollution, which makes it easier to relax at home. Not only will this help protect the environment, but it can also be good for your mental health!
It is never too late to make changes in your life or business that will help give back to the environment. By thinking about these three tips, you are already well on your way to making a positive impact that could inspire others around you!
