It\u2019s so incredibly important to treat our planet the way we treat our bodies: with mindfulness and kindness. As we watch what it is that we put into our bodies, whether that be of the dietary sorts or informational, it\u2019s crucial to monitor what our output is as well \u2014 or our carbon footprint.<\/p>\n
What exactly is a carbon footprint? Lowering your individual carbon footprint to something as low as the global average (four tons) is going to take some work. While we know we can\u2019t squash this number overnight, we can chip away at it in small, thoughtful ways.<\/p>\n Learn the five Rs Support smaller clothing brands and thrift stores Change up your diet Drive less when you can Spruce up your home We have a long way to go in reducing our carbon footprint to a low number but getting started with these small steps will no doubt make a huge difference over time.<\/p>\n xx, The FabFitFun Team<\/p>\n Psst! Have you signed up for FabFitFun yet? Don\u2019t miss out on $200+ in amazing beauty, fitness, fashion, and lifestyle products, access to exclusive fitness and cooking content on\u00a0FabFitFunTV<\/a>, members-only sales, and more. Use code\u00a0HARVEST<\/a>\u00a0at checkout for 20% off your first box.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>So eloquently put by The Nature Conservancy<\/a>, \u201ca carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) that are generated by our actions.\u201d As we were saying, your carbon footprint is your output and you\u2019re actually emitting quite a bit of it. Get this, the average carbon footprint by a single person in the United States is a gasping 16 tons, one of the highest rates in the world.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>You already know reduce, reuse, and recycle. However, there are actually two more “R” words in that list to consider. According to Going Zero Waste,<\/a>\u00a0you want to reduce, reuse, recycle, refuse, and rot. Refusing is the act of saying no to single-use plastics and paper products. For example, opt for a personal water bottle instead of buying them at the store. The Masontops\u00ae Glass Water Bottle with Neoprene in Turquoise<\/a><\/strong> is perfect and it features a glass spout for easy drinking and a foam cover for protection. Rot on the other hand is for your food scraps. Rot requires you to set up a compost system<\/a> or find a drop-off spot, such as your community garden or farmers market, for the food you have remaining.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>A lot of fast fashion items are not made sustainably, nor do they last forever. When your poorly made items have worn, you tend to toss them \u2014 thus begins their journey to the landfills. If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, shop for things that will last. Perusing your local thrift and vintage stores for up-cycled and recycled goods is actually a great way to be sustainable and get your carbon footprint down. When it\u2019s time to wash your clothes, make sure to wash them in cold water as two loads of laundry a week washed in cold water can save up to 500 pounds of carbon dioxide<\/a> each year.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Eating items that are lower on the food chain can make a huge difference. We\u2019re talking fruits, veggies, grains, and beans \u2014 all items that are pretty good for you. In addition, you can support local and organic foods (this helps reduce the number of fossil fuels used to transport foods from further away), buy food in bulk, reduce food waste by freezing your foods, and composting.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>A great way to get your steps for the day, walking is a super great alternative if you live in a place that is easily walkable. If not, taking public transportation or opting for a bike instead of a car can help reduce your carbon footprint. Small things like keeping up with your car to increase efficiency, using Waze to avoid traffic jams, and avoiding air travel when possible can make a huge difference in the long run.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>You can make small efforts to switch up your home so it\u2019s more energy efficient. Do an energy audit to see how much energy you\u2019re actually wasting, and then make plans to become more energy efficient. You could be leaving the light on too much or running the AC when you don\u2019t need to. Taking note of this is a great place to start. You can also replace your light bulbs with energy-saving bulbs, install a low-flow showerhead, or even call your local utility company and ask for a \u201cclean energy\u201d plan. Lastly, upgrading your kitchen to include more sustainable items is always a great place to start. Try adding reusable bags to the mix instead of plastic ones, or for us, we\u2019re gushing over this HIP Cutlery Set<\/a> <\/strong>that makes enjoying meals on-the-go a much more sustainable task.<\/p>\n