Ways to Help the Environment as a Family

Kelly R. said:  Even a modest backyard garden makes a difference, and it's one of the most delicious and rewarding ways to help the environment at home! Growing your own food means fewer trips to the store, both for you and for the trucks making deliveries.

Kristy Pepping said:  Instead of throwing away kids' clothes or toys, think about who can use what your kids have outgrown. Whether it's a family friend who has a younger child, a local charity in need of certain kids' items, or a local or online consignment store where you can swap your items for items you need; every little bit helps reuse versus waste.

Kelly R. said:  Invest in good-quality colorful party decorations (like felt bunting or garland) that are free from characters your kids will outgrow, and you can enjoy them for years. My family has and loves this set. If you do opt for decorations with a shorter lifespan, pass them along to another family who will be able to reuse them.

Shila said:  Those plastic containers from last night's take-out can be washed and reused for another purpose. Save them for upcoming leftovers, dinner party dessert boxes, or for organizational storage.

Kelly R. said:  Volunteering with your kids is so rewarding, and many volunteer opportunities have a positive impact for the environment. You can find organized trash pickups in your local community, participate in clothing drives that will save items from landfills, and support food pantries that distribute perishable food donations from restaurants and businesses.

Kelly R. said:  Bring your own set of reusable shopping bags to the grocery store to eliminate unnecessary plastic. Make sure to wash them thoroughly and frequently.

Kelly R. said:  Pack your kids' lunches in sturdy reusable lunchboxes and eco friendly accessories that will last for years. You'll save countless juice boxes and plastic baggies from the landfill.

Kelly R. said:  Stop buying disposable plastic water bottles, and opt for reusable water bottles for every member of the family. It's one of the easiest ways to help the environment, and the water tastes better too! Make sure to invest in good quality bottles that will last for a long time, so you're not replacing them every year.

Shila said:  Parents should understand what can be recycled and what cannot be in order to teach children to proactively utilize the proper receptacles while at home, at restaurants, in parks, etc.

Kelly R. said:  Give family members seeking birthday and holiday gift inspiration some ideas for experience gifts for kids. Gifts like movie tickets and museum memberships will save you from adding another plastic toy to your pile, and give you a fun activity to enjoy together.

Kelly R. said:  Newer dishwashers use less water than washing by hand. You can even skip rinsing at the sink, because the dishwasher will clean more thoroughly if its sensors detect residue on the dishes. Just scrape any scraps into the trash before loading. Make sure to wait and run your dishwasher only when it is full to reduce the frequency of using it.

Kelly R. said:  Save gallons of water by taking shorter showers and using a low flow shower head. Set an alarm or create a shower playlist to let you know when your time is up.

Kelly R. said:  Looking for sustainable clothing brands that use eco-friendly fabrics and responsible business practices is a big way to make a difference when outfitting your kids.

Kelly R. said:  Picking up trash on your local trails or around your neighborhood is an easy thing to do on family walks. It will beautify your community and protect animals and the environment.

Alexandra F. said:  Make your corner of the world a little greener by planting trees, flowers, and other plants. Choosing species native to your region will make them easier to care for, as well as provide pollen, nectar and seeds for native butterflies, birds, insects and other animals.

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.