Changing habits can be hard — but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re interested in reducing your carbon footprint and living a more sustainable lifestyle but don’t know where to start, take baby steps. These eight easy hacks can get you on the right path to live a more eco-friendly life. 

1. Carry a Reusable Water Bottle

Swap plastic water bottles for a sturdy, reusable one to help cut down on plastic waste. You can even do the same with your coffee or tea — most coffee shops will simply fill your reusable mug instead of putting your drink in a single-use cup.

2. Start Composting

Food waste has a major effect on the environment. While the production, transportation, and handling of food produces carbon dioxide, food in landfills produces methane, an even more potent and harmful greenhouse gas. 

One way to reduce food waste is by composting food scraps. Keep a small container in your kitchen or a larger one outside for things like banana peels, apple cores, onion skins, eggshells, and coffee grounds. The best part? Once your compost pile breaks down, you’ll end up with nutrient-rich compost you can use to nourish the soil in your garden.

3. Walk or Bike

Walk or bike as much as possible to both save gas and benefit your health. Start small — try biking to work two days a week, for example, and slowly work your way up to four or five. Or you might choose to walk if you have to run an errand that’s close by. 

The goal here is to drive less, so you might also consider taking public transportation or carpooling instead of driving. 

4. Turn off the Lights

This small action can make a big impact. Remember to turn off the lights if you’re not in the room to save energy. It’s also a good idea to switch your incandescent bulbs for energy-efficient LED ones. And if you’re going on a trip for a few days, consider unplugging lamps, electronic devices, and appliances to save more while you’re gone. 

5. Wash Clothes in Cold Water

Washing clothes in the hot cycle means turning on the water heater, which uses more energy than a cold cycle. Cold water is an effective way to clean your clothes, but if you need to do a hot cycle, try to bundle items and keep it to one load. 

6. Try Thrifting

Cheap clothing items that are trendy now but go out of style quickly (aka fast fashion) means that most of those clothes end up in the landfill, producing methane as they decompose. In addition, most fast fashion comes from countries in Asia, which requires fossil fuels to transport to the U.S. 

Instead of contributing to fast fashion, try shopping for vintage clothing at consignment stores. The same goes for furniture or other household items — you can find some great deals at thrift stores or resale apps like Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp.

7. Take a Reusable Bag to the Store

Ditch the plastic and paper and bring your own reusable bags to the grocery store. Keep them by the door or in your car so you don’t forget them. This is a simple way to reduce plastic waste and make a significant impact on the environment. 

8. Install Solar Panels

Embrace the abundant power of the sun and install solar panels on your home for a renewable energy source that can last you decades. Solar power can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and benefit local air quality. 

While solar panels may have a high upfront cost, you’ll save money in the long run on energy bills. You may even be able to take advantage of government tax incentives. 

By implementing these eight easy hacks in your daily life, you can take steps toward living a more sustainable, eco-friendly lifestyle. For more information on how to install solar panels, check out the infographic below.

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