Ways to Help the Environment as a Family

Kelly R said:  Don't let the water run while brushing your teeth or scrubbing dishes. If your faucet is easy to maneuver with your wrist, you might even be able to shut it off while scrubbing your hands, too.

Kelly R said:  Babies are estimated to use well over 2,000 diapers in the first year alone. Imagine the landfill space and resources you can save by choosing cloth diapers instead. It's not as hard as you might think.

Kelly R said:  Used printer paper or old schoolwork with one good side left can get set aside for your kids' art use. You can also encourage your kids to use both sides of construction and art paper for their projects instead of one. Set aside magazines, other interesting junk mail, and even past art projects to cut up and repurpose for new art.

Kelly R said:  Chargers plugged into the wall continue to use energy, so unplug them when not in use or when the device is 100% charged.

Kelly R said:  If your family receives National Geographic Kids or other educational magazine subscriptions for kids, ask your teachers if they'd like to be given your old issues. It saves them from the recycle bin and gives them a second life in the classroom.

Kelly R said:  Invest in natural cleaning products (or make your own) for general cleaning around the house. Chemicals found in traditional cleaners can pollute waterways and damage air quality. Making your own eco-friendly cleaning products is also a great way to reduce packaging waste.

Agreatmom2! said:  Use energy saving appliances, ie., refrigerator, microwave, etc.

Kelly R said:  Train your kids to turn off the lights after leaving a room. From toddlers to teens, this is one of the easiest ways kids can help the Earth, and you'll get to stop wandering the house and doing it yourself!

Kelly R said:  Meat production has a significant impact on the environment, so see what you can do to reduce the amount your family consumes. Finding a few favorite vegetarian recipes your family loves will make it easier to work meatless meals into your menu regularly.

Kelly R said:  Composting saves organic kitchen scraps like fruit and veggie trimmings from the landfill and turns them into fertilizer. A small kitchen compost bin makes it easy to save food scraps. Your local farmer's market might accept food scraps if you don't want to compost in your own backyard, and a growing number of areas are offering this service curbside.

Kelly R said:  Utilizing the library for most of your family's reading will save money, paper, and shipping resources. Linking up to your library's online catalog will also give you access to thousands of e-books, so you don't even have to go in person!

Kelly R said:  Trade in your disposable napkins for a set of cloth napkins. They can be washed with your other linens, and will last for years and years. Plus, they feel fancy!

Kelly R said:  If your family doesn't have the option to take the bus to school, carpooling with a nearby neighbor or two will reduce the impact of everyone driving to and from school separately.

Amy S. said:  I am 99% committed to using rags instead of paper towels—I have a stash of a dozen or so, and I use them for almost everything. I just throw them in the wash when they’re “used up” for the day. However, there are a few instances in which I still prefer paper towels—patting down raw chicken, cleaning up bodily messes…you get the idea. So, I keep one lonely roll of paper towels in a hard-to-reach, out-of-sight place for those situations. I can get a paper towel when I really need one, but I’m not mindlessly reaching for them every time there’s a minor mess.

Agreatmom2! said:  Use LED or Eco Smart light bulbs throughout your home.