If you are tired of living a wasteful lifestyle and are resolved to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle this year, you might feel a little overwhelmed about all of the big changes in your life. Starting something new can be stressful when you are unsure where to begin. Here are some easy and small changes you can make in your everyday life to help live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

Eat Less Meat

Believe it or not, cutting back on your consumption of meat can make a huge difference in the environment. Less livestock also means more land we can enjoy and use for recreation. Consider replacing some of your meat-heavy meals with vegetables or eating more seafood!

Use Paper Less and Recycle More

The world we live in today is much more reliant on computers and digital technology. It is easy to go a day without using a notebook or even a piece of paper. The less paper you use, the less paper needs to be produced and the more trees that get to fill our forests. It takes less energy to create paper through recycled and used sheets than by creating brand new paper. Recycling is easy and one of the best ways to live green.

Use Canvas Bags Instead of Plastic

Most shops offer a canvas bag alternative to their wasteful generic plastic and paper bags. Although a canvas bag might cost a small amount to acquire, they are actually much more useful than you might think. A canvas bag is sturdier than a traditional plastic or paper bag and can hold more goods. A canvas bag can also be used to store items or pack items when moving – making it useful in more than one way. Even if you don’t use canvas bags, reusing plastic bags is a great way to live more eco-friendly. Just use your plastic bags in small garbage cans throughout your home, or recycle your used grocery bag! Every small change can make a huge difference.

Start A Compost Pile or Bin

Compost bins have become a huge trend in the last few years – and for good reason! Not only do compost bins reduce waste by letting you re-use things you would normally just toss out, but they also save you money and help your plants grow better in your garden! Why go out and buy expensive compost when you could be creating your own with things you are throwing out anyway? If you garden at all, it really doesn’t make any sense NOT having a compost bin. Invest in one or make your own today!

Purchase The Right Light Bulb

Don’t run out today and replace all of your light bulbs even though they are still working, but the next time one of your light bulbs burns out replace it with a more eco-friendly brand. Plus, they are brighter, which means you might able to get away with using less lamps in your home!

Choose Cloth Over Paper

Instead of rushing to the shops and purchasing a dozen rolls of kitchen roll when you are ready to do your spring cleaning, cut up an old t-shirt or other form of clothing and use that as a rag instead. You were going to toss it out anyway, why not save some money and the planet at the same time? Collect all of your used rags in a basket together and wash them all at the same time. Use, re-use and repeat!

Reduce Water Waste

You can live a more eco-friendly lifestyle by using less water and cutting back on your bottled water purchases. Take a shorter shower in the morning or install a low-flow shower head. The investment in a low-flow shower head will be worth it when you receive your next water bill and it is significantly lower than the last. Cutting back on bottled water purchases is easy. Even if you live in an area where your tap water isn’t the tastiest, purchasing a water filter will do the trick. Plus, a water filter will save you money in the long run, when you don’t have to take trip after trip to the store to purchase more bottled water!

Make this the year of positive changes. You can make a difference throughout the world when you make small eco-friendly changes in your everyday life. Living a greener lifestyle doesn’t have to be difficult. It can be as easy as shutting off a light when you are no longer going to be in a room. Plus, living eco-friendly will save you money! Get started living an eco-friendly life today.