How to Reduce your Carbon Footprint at Home: 5 Easy Steps
No matter where you live or how eco-friendly your lifestyle is, you still contribute to a carbon footprint everyday.
You'd basically have to live in a hut in the middle of nowhere to have a daily carbon footprint of zero.
But... no one wants to do that.
You may be wondering: what even is a carbon footprint and how can I reduce it?
According to The World Health Organization (WHO), a carbon footprint corresponds to the whole amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly, support a person’s lifestyle and activities.
You accumulate a personal carbon footprint doing essentially everything in life, and most times without even realizing it.
Here are 5 easy ways you can instantly reduce your carbon footprint at home 🦶🏼
Minimize your carbon footprint with OurForest
Plant trees for free with your browser.#1. Eat local, organic foods
A big contributor to all of our carbon footprints is purchasing food that needs to be shipped to us from all over the world.
By purchasing food that needs to be sent halfway across the world, you’re accumulating your carbon footprint with the amount of miles needed for your food to get to your plate.
Disclaimer: I’m not saying to completely ditch the delicious kimchi flown all the way from South Korea.
Rather you should try to buy the majority of your food from local farmers to reduce the amount of carbon emissions. Plus, you’ll be supporting your local economy!
Eating organic foods also avoids chemicals and preservatives that are harmful to the environment, and your health.
#2. Unplug your devices when not in use
Something as simple as unplugging your kettle when you’re not using it can reduce your carbon footprint significantly.
Even though you may not be using the device, just by having it plugged into the wall you are producing carbon emissions.
Plus - you’ll save a ton of money on your heat and light bill!
#3. Buy carbon offsets
There are a lot of great carbon offsetting options available in 2021.
You can calculate your carbon footprint online and then choose to invest in environmental initiatives to give back to the Earth to make up for the carbon emitted.
Many of these carbon offsets are going to cost you. Although we have a browser extension called “OurForest” which automatically plants trees for free while you browse the internet to counteract the carbon emitted from online lifestyle.
#4. Turn off lights and heating before leaving home
If you turn off the lights whenever you leave a room, you can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 0.15 pounds per hour.
It may not sound like a lot, but every little bit adds up.
I always do a little check of the house before I leave to ensure that my A/C or heating is switched off, and all of my lights are also off.
And again - you’ll save some serious dollars on your next monthly bill.
#5. Let your clothes air dry
Traditional clothing dryers use a ton of energy. And I mean, a ton.
Washing and drying a load every two days creates around 440kg of carbon dioxide each year, which is equivalent to flying from London to Glasgow and back with your car rides to and from the airports.
You can reduce your carbon footprint by washing your clothing in cold water, and ditching the dryer.
Let your clothes air dry! You don’t need a fancy clothes line, just hang your clothes over some furniture and you’re good to go.
Bam! You’re all set to instantly reduce your carbon footprint at home.