Earth Month: Simple Steps Toward an Eco-Friendly Lifestyle

Our world is changing. Together we can fight climate change by making better choices in our everyday lives. Each time we make a purchase (or decide not to purchase) is an opportunity to make a positive impact on our planet.

Here's a collection of practical, eco-friendly swaps and habits organized by category to help you live more sustainably.

In the Kitchen

Food Storage & Packaging

·       Ditch the plastic wrap: Try reusable, fabric food covers instead! They're beautiful and practical.

·       Use glass jars: Mason jars are perfect for storing food without plastic. Consider chalkboard lids so you can label, date, and relabel.

·       Buy in bulk: Use reusable bags for shopping at bulk bins to reduce packaging waste.

·       Look for tin or glass containers for your spices and oils to avoid plastic packaging.

·       Check food packaging carefully: Shout out to companies that still use simple cardboard packaging with metal components instead of adding plastic.

Sustainable Cooking & Beverages

·       Make sun tea on the deck: Affordable and zero waste!

·       Try a pour-over coffee maker with reusable filter or use stainless steel reusable capsules if you have a single-serve machine.

·       Electric tea kettles are more energy-efficient than stovetop kettles as they heat only the water, not the surrounding air.

·       Make your own seltzer or soda instead of buying bottled versions.

·       Try making foods from scratch: Corn tortillas, bread, and other staples are often easy to make and result in less packaging.

Cleaning Products

·       Switch to concentrated laundry soap in refillable glass jars.

·       Try laundry powder instead of liquid detergents - they're often plastic-free and you aren't shipping water around.

·       Use bar soap for dish washing paired with a beautiful wooden brush instead of plastic bottles of dish soap.

·       Try eco-friendly dish scrubbers made from natural materials instead of plastic sponges.

Sustainable Eating

·       Consider a plant-based diet: Even starting with Meatless Monday makes a difference for your health and the planet.

·       Choose plant-based milk alternatives: Oat milk has a particularly low environmental footprint in terms of emissions, water usage, and land required.

·       Eat local when possible: Support local growers and farmers' markets to reduce transportation emissions.

·       Consume diverse foods: 75% of what we eat comes from just 12 crops and 5 animal species (UN FAO). Diversifying our diet can help address environmental and health crises.

·       Eat your leftovers: It usually takes less energy to reheat than to make a meal from scratch. Get creative - turn leftovers into soups, tacos, or salads!

·       Be mindful of food waste: Americans throw away about 40% of their food. Plan meals, store food properly, and use what you buy.

In the Bathroom

·       Try bar shampoo: A single bar can last nearly a year and eliminates plastic bottles.

·       Switch to sustainable toothpaste: Tablet form toothpaste eliminates plastic tubes.

·       Use reusable face rounds: Instead of disposable cotton pads, try washable options that can be tossed in a mesh bag and laundered.

·       Consider a safety razor: Disposable razors are neither recyclable nor biodegradable. A quality safety razor can last years with only the blades needing replacement.

·       Install a low-flow showerhead: Reduces water usage without compromising shower quality.

For Your Pets

·       Sustainable dog toys: Look for options filled with coconut husks rather than poly-fill (plastic) or choose toys made from natural materials like rope and wool.

·       Eco-friendly dog beds: Some companies make covers you can stuff with your old clothes (your dog will love that it smells like you) or that fit over old baby mattresses.

·       Consider alternative protein pet food: Jiminy’s uses cricket protein (and other insect proteins), which requires less land, water, and produces fewer greenhouse gases. 

·       Use metal dog bowls instead of plastic ones.

·       Choose compostable poop bags for dog waste.

Clothing & Textiles

·       Shop vintage when possible: Reuse and repurpose existing clothing.

·       Extend the life of clothing you love: Repair, patch, or embroider worn items instead of discarding them.

·       Consider the environmental impact of fashion: The clothing industry is responsible for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions - more than aviation and shipping combined.

·       Look for sustainable materials: More than 60% of textile fibers are derived from fossil fuels. Seek out natural or recycled materials.

·       Choose quality over quantity: Buy fewer, better pieces that will last longer.

·       Try clothing made from recycled materials: Some companies make shoes and other items from recycled plastic bottles.

Water Conservation

·       Save rinse water from fruits and vegetables to water your plants.

·       Plant succulents in your yard - they need less water and self-propagate easily.

·       Consider a rain barrel to collect water for your garden.

·       Turn off the tap while brushing teeth or washing hands.

·       Fix leaky faucets promptly - they can waste thousands of gallons annually.

Energy Savings

·       Air dry your clothes: Your dryer accounts for approximately 6% of your home's energy usage. Air drying preserves clothing, eliminates shrinkage, and conserves energy.

·       Turn off lights when you leave a room.

·       Use LED bulbs which use up to 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs.

·       Unplug electronics when not in use to avoid phantom energy usage.

·       Consider smart power strips that cut power to devices when they're not being used.

Transportation

·       Use public transportation when available - it's amazingly efficient in many cities.

·       Consider train travel: Trains produce significantly less carbon emissions than driving or flying.

·       For quick trips, take a bike or walk instead of using the car.

·       Bring reusable water bottles and coffee cups when traveling to avoid single-use plastics.

·       Look for hotels with eco-friendly policies like water refill stations instead of plastic water bottles.

Reducing Single-Use Items

·       Bring reusable shopping bags to all stores, not just grocery stores.

·       Keep a set of bamboo utensils in your car or bag to avoid plastic cutlery when eating on the go.

·       Use cloth napkins instead of paper. Keep track of which napkin belongs to whom using clothespins and markers so they can be reused until truly dirty.

·       Try "unpaper" towels - cloth alternatives to paper towels.

·       Use string instead of ribbon for packages - it's biodegradable and just as pretty!

Supporting Biodiversity

·       Plant a tree: Even in urban areas, there are opportunities to add trees. They help clean air, filter water, provide habitat, and absorb carbon.

·       Participate in "No Mow May": Let flowers (even dandelions) complete their lifecycle so bees and other insects can thrive.

·       Avoid pesticides that harm beneficial insects and pollinators.

·       Create bee rest stations in your garden.

·       Plant native wildflowers to support local ecosystems.

Final Thoughts

Living sustainably isn't about perfection - it's about making better choices where we can. Every small change adds up to significant impact when millions of people make similar choices. This Earth Month, try adopting a few new eco-friendly habits that work for your lifestyle and build from there.

What sustainable swaps have you made in your life? We'd love to hear your ideas in the comments below!

FAQ - Earth Month & Eco-Friendly Living 

1. What is the purpose of Earth Month?

Earth Month (April) is a time dedicated to raising awareness about environmental issues and encouraging individuals to adopt sustainable habits — from reducing waste to conserving resources — that collectively help reduce our impact on the planet.

2. What simple eco-friendly swaps can I make in the kitchen?

You can start by:

• Using reusable food covers instead of plastic wrap

• Storing food in glass jars instead of plastic containers

• Buying groceries in bulk with reusable bags

• Choosing tin or glass over plastic packaging when possible

3. How can I make my cleaning routine more sustainable?

Eco-friendly cleaning tips include:

• Switching to concentrated laundry soap in refillable containers

• Using bar dish soaps with natural scrubbers

• Choosing cleaning tools made from natural materials rather than plastic ones

4. What are good sustainable changes for my bathroom?

Try actions like:

• Using bar shampoo and toothpaste tablets

• Switching to reusable face rounds instead of disposable cotton pads

• Installing low-flow showerheads to conserve water

5. How can I eat more sustainably?

Sustainable eating steps include:

• Trying a plant-based meal or Meatless Monday

• Choosing local foods to minimize transport emissions

• Planning meals and reducing food waste by eating leftovers

6. What Earth Month steps can I take for my pets?

For pets specifically:

• Choose eco-friendly dog toys and beds made from natural or recycled materials

• Use metal bowls instead of plastic

• Consider alternative protein pet food options that use ingredients with smaller environmental footprints, like insect protein

7. How does switching pet food reduce my environmental impact?

Opting for diets with lower-impact protein sources (like insects instead of ranch-raised meat) can significantly reduce land use, water use, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional livestock production.

8. What can I do to reduce water and energy use at home?

Simple actions include:

• Collecting rainwater for garden use

• Turning off lights and unplugging devices when not in use

• Air-drying clothes instead of using a dryer

• Fixing leaky faucets promptly to avoid waste

9. How can I minimize single-use waste in daily life?

Reduce single-use plastic by bringing reusable shopping bags, water bottles, and utensils wherever you go. Cloth napkins and “unpaper” towels are excellent alternatives to disposable paper products.

10. What are ways to support biodiversity and wildlife?

You can contribute through actions such as:

• Planting trees or native wildflowers to support pollinators

• Participating in “No Mow May” (letting lawns bloom to help bees)

• Avoiding pesticides that harm beneficial insects

11. Is sustainable living only about big changes?

Not at all — sustainability is about small, everyday choices that add up. Each swap, habit, or mindful decision (like reducing packaging, conserving energy, or choosing sustainable goods) helps lower your personal environmental footprint.

12. How does Earth Month relate to everyday climate action?

Earth Month is a reminder that individual choices — from transportation and food to consumption and waste — can influence broader climate change outcomes. Small actions multiplied by many people help shift markets and reduce environmental impacts.