1. Buy American
It may be tempting to buy the dollar pair of socks at the superstore, but at what cost are you getting such a low price? Most items like these are manufactured in foreign countries with poor working conditions and harmful manufacturing methods. Plus, the resources it takes to get products from far-off distances to your doorstep is taxing to the environment.
Try farmers markets and locally owned businesses in your area to find USA-created versions of what you’re looking for. And remember, everything we carry at Dolphin Blue is proudly made in America, from our office supplies to our home and garden items.
2. Cut down on shower time
Water is a valuable resource on our planet, and it’s becoming increasingly important to conserve it. The average American uses more than 23,000 gallons of water each year, or about 64 gallons a day. Reducing your shower by a mere two minutes can cut your daily water use by 10 gallons.
Shower timers can make things easier by letting you know when time’s up. Aim for a five- to seven-minute shower (or less, if you can).
3. Reuse what you can
We’ve all heard the term “reduce, reuse, recycle.” While these are all important, let’s focus on reusing in 2014.
Simple tasks like buying a morning latte or packing a brown bag lunch can really add up waste-wise — consider how much you have to toss in the garbage or recycle at the end of the day. Instead, try drinking coffee from a travel mug or picking up a reusable lunch bag to use in place of disposable ones.
4. Take the stairs
Not only is taking the stairs good for your health, it’s great for our environment as well. Elevators run on electricity, and every time you use one, you’re burning energy, which usually comes from the burning of fossil fuels.
Instead, why not use your own energy to climb up a few flights? The earth will appreciate it. Plus, it’s a great way to wake up in the morning and get a little cardio in!