Expert advice from sustainability analyst, Halie Tenor

Dream of reducing your footprint in your daily life? Going green certainly doesn’t happen overnight, but your small steps will add up. It’s all about making better choices — and our resident sustainability expert has some ideas that might help you get started.

According to Halie, building consistent habits is the key to success. So she’s challenged herself with practicing a new habit every month over the course of a year, with the goal being to adopt 12 new routines that she can get comfortable with over time. But, rest assured, you don’t need to tackle 12 new habits right away. In fact, if you’re a novice, perhaps it’s best to start with just a few. Watch this video to learn about her top five eco-friendly habits you can try today! And be on your way to a greener lifestyle in no time.

5 green habits you can start today

1. Eco-friendly bathroom products

Shampoos, deodorants, perfumes and other common bathroom products can contain harsh chemicals that are bad for your health and the environment. Avoid plastic packaging and try to buy in large quantities and use reusable containers.

2. Eco-friendly cleaning

Many of the same harmful chemicals in bathroom products can be found in your cleaning products as well. Try to make your own cleaning products using natural ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda and natural salt. Use lemon or essential oils to give a clean and refreshing scent to your supplies.

3. Opt for paperless

Choosing paperless alternatives for mail can help you declutter, and it benefits the environment too! Learn how to go paperless.

4. Bring reusable bags

Using reusable bags can help cut down plastic and paper waste. Get them from a farmer’s market or at your local grocery store!

5. Ditch disposables in your kitchen

In 2017, Americans spent 5.7 billion dollars on paper towels. Halie recommends looking for re-washable bamboo towels instead of using single-use paper towels.

Remember to work at your own pace. Some habits can be easier to adopt than others. While certain practices will take time to transition into fully, and others can be quick and easy — like an on-the-go, sustainable kit. What matters is making a conscious effort every day to reduce your ecological footprint on our planet.

And if you're looking for more ways to make a difference in your community, we have you covered! Check out these inspiring stories and resources to pursue your social impact dreams.

This article is for informational purposes only and based on information that is widely available. We do not make any guarantees or promise any results based on this information.