Green Living Tips for a Safer Environment

Environmental responsibility of growing importance

Experts agree: the time to clean up the environment is now. Studies show that the health of ecosystems we and all other species depend upon is deteriorating at an alarming rate.

The very foundations of global economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life are under threat. 

The good news: it's not too late to avert the crisis. 

But it's important to take action fast. "Start now, at every level, from local to global," advises Sir Robert Watson, a leading scientific authority on climate change who served as Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Chair of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). "Through transformative change, nature can still be conserved, restored and used sustainably.”

Such change requires a fundamental, system-wide reorganization across technological, economic and social factors to restore nature's health. Though daunting, the 1 million plant and animal species at risk of extinction — and the children who would be disproportionately affected by the consequences — depend upon it.

Children have virtually no part in generating the greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change, but they bear the brunt of its damaging effects — especially those from the most impoverished families, who often live in the most degraded or polluted environments. 

If we don't act now, there will be cataclysmic consequences. Some projections suggest that failing to limit warming could lead to sharp increases in deaths from air pollution alone.

How can we reverse this disastrous course? Scientists say it will take major policy shifts to "zero out" our carbon footprint and halt global warming. But individuals can do their part, too, by examining their values and habits and changing how they live.  

Here are a few simple green living tips to help kickstart sustainable habits:

1. Reduce

The first step in sustainable living is simple: Buy fewer products, conserve water and energy and reduce waste.

Before you go shopping, ask yourself what you need. Many of our possessions — clothing, shoes, furniture, appliances, electronics — can be repaired or refreshed. If you must buy new, donate gently used items to local charities, then consider investing in higher quality purchases so they last longer.

When it comes to resources, there are many ways to reduce water, energy and fossil fuel consumption. Don’t leave the faucet running. Take shorter and colder showers. Turn off unnecessary lights. Wait until you have a full load to run the dishwasher or washing machine. Get leaks fixed right away. Replace old appliances with newer, more efficient models. And whenever possible, travel by land instead of flying; take public transportation, walk or bike instead of driving.

All of these things will help you save energy and reduce waste at home over time. 

2. Reuse

Replacing disposable items with reusable versions can drastically cut household-trash volume. Invest in sustainable (reusable) shopping bags, water bottles, to-go cups, dining ware, cutlery, straws, food containers, coffee pods, coffee filters, razors, napkins, paper towels and batteries.

Buying second-hand is another way to reduce waste — and save money. Check out yard sales, thrift shops, consignment stores and swap meets. Websites like Craigslist, Etsy and ThredUp offer nearly new and vintage versions of just about everything you could need or want. Amazon and eBay also offer gently used and estate items, too. 

If possible, shop from local sellers to shrink your carbon footprint. And when decluttering, consider donating your used goods or become a reseller yourself. Just take care to donate responsibly; many nonprofits aren't set up to accept in-kind donations. 

3. Recycle

Many towns with recycling ordinances make recycling easy. But if there's no curbside pickup where you live, find out if there's a municipal recycling center nearby. 

Commonly accepted materials in many areas include plastic, glass, paper, aluminum, tin and cardboard. Knowing what can be recycled in your area can help improve your impact.

Some stores will even take used ink cartridges, batteries, CDs, cell phones and other electronic devices. Most Best Buy locations accept old computers, electronics and other e-waste.

If you're into DIY, Pinterest is packed with creative ideas for upcycling towels, sheets, clothes, dishes, furniture and more — many of which are fun to do with kids.

4. Refuse

The fourth of the Five R's can be a bit tougher because it's all about remembering to say "No."

When you order takeout, for example, tell the restaurant you'll use your own cutlery. When you order a drink in a restaurant or bar, ask for it without the straw. When you're offered a plastic shopping bag at checkout, ideally you can say no thank you, I brought my own. 

Leave the miniature toiletries in hotel bathrooms untouched and refuse the daily towel and linen changes at hotels. When traveling by air, forgo the prepared meals, which generate an enormous amount of waste.

Think twice before accepting flyers, handouts or give-aways, which can be anything from small branded knick-knacks to small packaged food or drink samples. Unless it’s really something you want and have use for, just politely decline.

5. Rot

After you've reduced, reused, recycled and refused all you can, rot — compost — the rest! 

If your town has a composting program for organic waste, all you have to do is set your fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, grass, plant clippings and dry leaves out onto the sidewalk on pickup days. If not, then it's easy to start composting at home — outside in a bin or unit you buy or build yourself. 

If you prefer indoor options and don't mind coexisting with critters, vermicomposting with worms is an efficient way to support food waste composting and turn organic waste into mineral rich garden soil. 

If you have a yard, grasscycling is a sustainable and time-saving technique for handling grass clippings, weeds and leaves. Grass clippings left in place after mowing can fertilize the soil. Come fall, leaves disposed of in flower beds will do the same trick. Both options mean you can also refuse plastic lawn and leaf bags, which can save you money and reduce the plastic that ends up in landfills. (When you do use lawn bags, choose the paper ones.)

Mulching — when you make your own — also qualifies as rotting. Chop up leaves, grass clippings, wood and bark chips, add pine needles and shredded paper, then spread the mixture around the base of trees and plants to insulate their roots and enrich the soil. 

Zero-waste living

Follow all five R's to the letter, and you'll drastically reduce your waste. But if you want to go all the way, there are Zero Wasters out there who can fit a year's worth of trash in a Mason jar. You may not be quite up to that, but if you make the five R's a habit, you can still make a big difference, moving closer to zero-waste living.

If you want to shop for good, UNICEF Market helps makers of handmade artisanal goods build sustainable businesses that support their families and their communities. At the same time, proceeds from every UNICEF Market purchase help to fund UNICEF's work to save and protect the world’s most vulnerable children. 

Shop for eco-friendly items at UNICEF Market

Frequently asked questions about green living

What are some ways to protect the environment at home and in the community?

Recycle correctly, compost organic waste and reduce plastic use at home. Support community clean-up efforts, advocate for sustainable practices and raise awareness about environmental issues.

How can I help the environment in my everyday life?

Helping the environment often comes down to daily choices like using reusable products, cutting back on food and material waste and being mindful of how much you consume. Small, eco-friendly steps can create meaningful, long-term impact.

What are easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint at home?

Focus on energy use: turn off unused electronics, switch to efficient appliances and limit heating and cooling where and when possible. Even small changes in how you use energy at home will significantly lower emissions.

How do I go green with simple lifestyle changes?

Going green begins with simple steps toward reducing waste, choosing reusable products and making mindful purchases. Supporting ethical products is another way to align everyday choices with environmental responsibility.