Easy Ways to Help the Environment Daily

Let’s be honest: the state of the world is a mess. Whether or not you believe in global warming (yes, it’s a real thing), you have to admit that humans haven’t treated our home well. There are massive clusters of plastic floating in the oceans, straws washing up on beaches, and animals being injured or killed because of waste in the water.

There are so many ways to make an environmental difference in your everyday life, from your fashion choices to your commute. But I wanted to mention a few in your daily life and products that can help, whether you’re heading to work or to the airport.

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Your Morning Coffee

If you drink coffee like I do, it can be hard to function without it. Start your day with making coffee at home, which not only saves you money, but also cuts down on unnecessary waste. Skip the Keurig and other coffee makers that use pods that get thrown away.

You can also buy refillable or compostable pods if you can’t live without this type of coffee maker. There are plenty of alternatives that take little time to get you out the door. I like my pour over, which requires only one or two pours for a full cup, as well as a French press and Moka for something different. If you like iced coffee or cold brew, make your own at home and skip the Starbucks line by using a filter to soak ground coffee in a mason jar in the fridge overnight.

Takeaway Lunch

Let’s be honest: Styrofoam is the worst. Not only is it not recyclable in any sort of way, but it also makes that horrible sound that makes my skin crawl. I try to limit my to-go food or leftovers when possible. Ideally, I only get food from a place that has cardboard or plastic containers.

I also recommend getting your own reusable cutlery and to go containers that you can reuse time and time again. It doesn’t even have to be fancy as old-school Tupperware will do. And for the love of God, skip the plastic bag!

Mid-Day Coffee or Juice Break

If you still need that afternoon caffeine boost or morning juice, bring your own coffee mug or cup to cut down on plastic waste. I carry a stainless steel straw with me at all times, which can be rinsed out and used in just about any drink.

Some even come with brushes to make cleaning a breeze. I’ve been traveling with an REI travel coffee mug for nearly a decade, which allows me to grab another cup from the breakfast buffet on my way out exploring. I’ve also had others from Stanley and HydroFlask that I like and friends recommend the KeepCup. It should also go without saying that reusable water bottles are ideal instead of one-time use plastic.

Grocery Shopping and Storage

I get reusable shopping bags from just about every media event I go to, so I have no excuse not to bring one into the grocery store. Some stores even give you a discount for it or make you purchase a reusable one. But my favorite of my reusable shopping bags is my Baggu, which folds down into a small pouch.

Skip the plastic produce bags that have no other purpose and instead opt for reusable mesh bags. Keep your leftovers in the aforementioned plastic containers and skip the ziploc bags in favor of silicone reusable zippered bags. Cling wrap and aluminum foil aren’t typically reusable, but Bee’s Wrap is made of beeswax and can be used to cover produce or a sandwich.