COLUMBIA, S.C. — If you are among the majority of Americans who want to learn how to live more sustainably, here are five ways to help the planet and maybe save yourself some money.
1. Unplug “energy vampires.” Think of all of the devices you leave plugged in. Stanford Magazine found that energy vampires are responsible for an estimated 10% of residential energy use across American households. That equates to at least $4 billion in wasted energy every year.
2. Bring your own reusable water bottle. Each week, Americans buy enough plastic water bottles to circle the Earth five times, according to the EPA. Purchasing a reusable water bottle reduces your carbon footprint and will help save money in the long run.
3. Enjoy one plant-forward meal once a week. One-third of all food emissions in our country come from red meat and dairy products. A study by the University of Michigan found that eating a vegetarian meal once a week could save the equivalent of driving 1,160 miles.
4. Bring reusable bags on errands. Waste Management reports that Americans use 100 billion plastic bags a year, which requires 12 million barrels of oil. Reusable bags are not expensive, last a long time, and help our environment.
5. Start Recycling. Recycling reduces the need for the production of new materials. This includes the work that goes into mining and processing, as well as the production of materials like plastic and glass, according to the EPA. Recycling is the easiest and most impactful way to help the planet.
