1. Start a Compost

Starting a backyard compost can drastically decrease the solid waste you add to landfills, where it’s hard to break down, and will provide you with easy access to nutrient rich soil to use in your yard or garden. Starting a backyard compost is easy. It’s easy to start composting with a compost bin for your yard. You will be amazed how much you compostable waste breaks down in your composter. Next year, you will be lucky to save money using your own compost instead of buying it all for your garden.

2. Install a Rain Barrel 

Install a rain barrel in your yard. A rain barrel will reduce runoff water from your home while providing you with garden water. This means you can also reduce your water consumption and your water bill. For those in drought prone communities, it may take your rain barrel longer to fill between rains but permits some watering in the driest times. 

3. Invite the Birds & the Bees

Invite the birds, bees, and other pollinators into your yard. You can start by adding a bird feeder with seeds or hummingbird feeder with sugar water. Take it a step further by adding native trees, shrubs, or other pollinators to your garden. These plants will attract pollinators like bees and butterflies to your yard for the food they need to do their work. You will get the added bonus of a beautiful garden thanks to their pollination and can enjoy their presence as they flutter across your landscape.

4. Cut Back on Paper Towels

Reducing your paper towel consumption is easy when yourself, and your kitchen, up for success. Adding a few sweedish discloths to your kitchen can do the trick. These reusable alternatives can be washed in your washing machine or your dishwasher. They are even compostable when it’s time to retire them from your kitchen. Now you can hide your paper towel roll somewhere off the counter (which may also help you break any habits of reaching for a paper towel all the time).

5. Modernize Your Food Storage

Stop blowing through single-use sandwich bags by switching to silicone sandwich bags. These silicone storage bags are reusable, free from plastic toxins, and dishwasher safe. Making the switch pays off over time but is expensive to get started. If you can’t make the switch overnight, add a few at a time until you can stop spending money on the disposable bags.