by AngelaCharles

Created on: April 22, 2010   Last Updated: April 23, 2010

Easy ways to decrease your carbon footprint

Improving your carbon footprint is easy.  Everything you do produces a carbon footprint.  It comes from the car you drive, the energy you use, the products you buy, to the garbage you throw out.  Each of our footprints are endless.  The good thing about that is our potential to impact our footprint is never-ending.

Let’s begin with what we buy.  For every item we purchase, another item is made.  If we purchase items that we don't necessarily need, we are creating a greater carbon footprint then necessary.  The next time you go shopping, think about the products you are buying.  Is this something you really need?  Is it something you can buy second hand? 

Buying gently used items has become easier than ever.  You can find items on the internet, at rummage sales and second hand shops.  This is a great way to decrease your footprint and your spending.  Recycling your unused products is imminent in decreasing your carbon footprint. 

Just because it has run out of use in your home, doesn't mean it is useless.  These items can be sold at a rummage sale, donated to a charitable organization or taken to a second hand shop.  This is a great way to decrease your carbon footprint.

Another very important step in decreasing your carbon footprint is being selective in the foods you purchase.  Begin by looking in your trash.  Are you seeing lots of plastic bottles, glass, or wasted food?  How can you as a consumer decrease the amount you are throwing away?  Buying in bulk isn't always the answer, if it means you will be throwing more food away. 

Many companies are becoming more environmentally friendly by utilizing more environmentally friendly packaging.  This is a prime example of how we the consumer, have engaged corporations into being more environmentally friendly.  Products that utilize less packaging materials take up less space in your garbage, and ultimately in our landfills. 

Finding creative ways to use your left overs, asking your children to be responsible with the amount of food they put on their plate and being more conscientious of the products you buy will all have a significant impact on your carbon footprint.   

Being a responsible motorist is another step in decreasing your carbon footprint.  No, you do not need to sell your truck for an environmentally friendly compact.  While that is a great choice for some, it isn't practical for everyone.  Regardless of what you drive, you can improve your footprint by being a more responsible driver. 

You can save gas by simply driving slower, making more gradual starts and stops and only driving when necessary.  Are there times you could bike or walk to the store, rather than drive?  Not only is it good for the environment, it is good for you.

Another environmental and economical task is to monitor your electric, water and gas usage.  Most utilities will list your usage for the past few months, or compare to the year before.  Be leery of drastic increases in usage as this may be a sign of a faulty appliance or leaky plumbing. 

Thousands of carbons are wasted each year because people aren't aware there is a problem.  Be alert to your normal usage and find ways to decrease that usage.

Improving your carbon footprint doesn't mean you should sacrifice everything that omits a footprint.  It simply means doing everything you can to improve it.  These are just a few of the many ways you can decrease your carbon footprint.   

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