Low-Cost Ways to Help Save the Planet

The Whole Family Can Take Part

Helping to protect our planet requires everyone to do their part, and you can start with your own team effort at home. The simplest way to get started is to be sure that you have and are regularly applying recycling bins at home. Add a compost bin and you'll be able to keep more organic matter and food waste out of landfills as well. You might also have a family meeting to discuss the different ways in which you can all downsize and declutter your lives, then donate or sell what isn’t currently serving your family, so that someone else can get more use out of them, rather than throwing them away. You can also work on reducing the amount of resources your family consumes and being more thoughtful about the orders that you make. Try planting a garden together: It's a fun family project, and the results will lower the carbon footprint of the food you eat and help you keep more cash on groceries. Being more eco-friendly when you go on family outings can also make a difference. Rather than piling into the car for a road trip, you could visit a local park, go for a hike, or go on a family bike ride.

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For Adults

As adults, we can also do plenty of things on our own to help the planet and to set a good example for those around us. For instance, you could volunteer for a roadside cleanup, help out at a local park, or arrange a community recycling drive. You can also make environmentally conscious decisions in your everyday life. When you need to go somewhere, see if you can do it without applying your car; walk, bike, or take public transportation instead. And when you go shopping, think about the environmental impact of what you buy. Shop for food at local farmers' markets, and buy items from businesses that share in your commitment to sustainability.

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For Kids

Kids, big and small, can do their part, too, to protect our planet. Teach children to take small, mindful actions every day to save our planet, like always turning off the lights when they leave an empty room and shutting off the water while they're brushing their teeth. Kids can also do a lot by getting the word out about the importance of taking care of our environment. They might be able to start or join a club at school that's focused on raising awareness of this cause and what kids can do to help. Kids can even write letters to their favorite businesses and urge them to be more environmentally conscious.

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