Eight Tips for Families Who Want to Become More Eco-friendly

In this day and time, many families are striving to become more environmentally friendly. While several families may not be able to afford to buy a hybrid car or convert their homes to solar or wind power, they can make small changes in their lifestyles to develop more eco-friendly habits. Here are ten tips for families who want to become more "green:"

Buy organic and earth friendly produce and cleaning supplies.

Buying and eating organic produce is not only better for your family's health, but it is also beneficial for the environment. If possible, purchase produce from local farmers who are environmentally responsible in their farming techniques. If you and your family are able to do so, you may even want to try and grow an organic garden.

Natural, earth-friendly cleaning supplies are safe to use around children and pets and do not harm the air that you breathe, the water that you drink, or the rest of the environment. Eco-friendly household cleaner recipes are available online.

Walk or bike to your desired destinations if you can, and if you have to drive, combine errands into one trip or carpool with other family members or friends.

Walking and biking are not only "green" forms of transportation but are also wonderful ways of staying fit. If you walk or bike around town, you will help to save gas and improve your health.

If you have to drive to certain locations, try to combine your errands into one trip. Too, carpooling with other family members and friends is another option that also allows for some needed quality time.

Turn off electrical switches when you leave a room.

While this may seem like a small way of helping to save electricity, turning off those electrical switches when you leave a room does add up. Too, even the youngest members of the family can take part in this eco-friendly activity.

Make purses or quilts from fabric scraps from gently worn clothes.

If you and your family enjoy sewing, you can make beautiful handmade creations from the fabric of gently worn clothes. Patchwork purses and quilts are some of the ways that you can upcycle that previously worn attire.

If you or your family members do not sew, you can always donate your gently used garments to your local Goodwill, DAV, or other charitable organization. Yet, another option is to start a clothing swap with your friends who wear similar sizes to those of you and your family members.

Recycle or reuse what you can.

Recycle paper, plastic, tin, aluminum, and any other materials that you can. You can use recycled paper and magazines to make your own stationery or class projects. Allow the children in your family to use some recycled materials to design an imaginative masterpiece. This author's children made a small boat from plastic water bottles and cardboard boxes.

Best Buy has a program in which you can recycle your electronics. Also, Green Carat gives you the option of submitting your old jewelry for store credit, reuse in a design of your choice, or a donation to an environmentally conscious organization.

Make your own health and beauty supplies, or buy those that are eco-friendly.

Homemade shampoo recipes and natural lip gloss recipes are available online. For those health and beauty products that you do not feel you can make at home, be sure and select those that are eco-friendly and support fair trade work standards.

Catch rain water and use it to water your plants, flowers, and garden.

You can catch rain water in rain barrels and use the water to refresh your plants, flowers, and garden. By doing this, you can utilize a natural gift and save on your water bill all at the same time.

Spend time in the great outdoors.

Rather than spending the majority of your family quality time indoors, you and your family can spend time taking part in outdoor activities. You can save energy by turning off those televisions, computers, and other electronics and partake in beneficial exercise together as a family.

Keep these tips in mind for striving to become more environmentally friendly. May we all do what we can to take care of our environment.

Sources:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2629981/homemade_natural_lip_gloss_recipes.html?cat=69

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2839926/homemade_ecofriendly_household_cleaners_pg2.html?cat=57

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5431574/be_green_and_healthy_with_natural_homemade.html?cat=69

http://www.bestbuy.com

http://www.greenkarat.com