10 Steps to Shrink Your Carbon Footprint

Reducing our carbon footprint becomes more important every day. While you may not always be able to convince others to join the good fight, the good news is that there’s plenty you can do on your own to reduce your contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, starting with the steps we’ve outlined below.

1. Shop Smart Online

When you’re shopping online, it’s easy to hit the “buy now” button every time you come across something you want. When possible, try to consolidate your online orders by ordering everything simultaneously. That way, you’ll receive everything in as few boxes as possible, and your mail carrier only has to take one trip to your home, saving on both gas and material strains.

2. Carpool and Use Public Transportation

While your car may be the most convenient means of transportation, it also puts the most strain on our resources. Make a conscious effort to take public transportation, carpool, bike or walk whenever possible. Even doing this just once a week can reduce your waste tremendously and give you the chance to experience your surroundings in new ways.

3. Use More Efficient Systems

Older boilers, HVAC systems and furnaces are much less energy conscious than newer models. If you’ve had the same equipment for a decade or longer, it’s probably time to explore options for replacements and see where you can save the most energy in your daily life.

4. Reduce Plastic Use

Replace your single-use plastics with reusable alternatives like travel mugs, reusable water bottles, paper straws and more. Plastic production accounts for more than 3% of energy consumption within the United States.

5. Evaluate Your Insulation

If your home isn’t well-insulated, especially around vulnerable spaces like windows and doors, your energy system is working harder and using more energy to maintain your preferred climate. Improving insulation can reduce greenhouse gases and save you money on energy bills simultaneously.

6. Unplug Unused Electronics

Many appliances and electronics use energy whenever they’re plugged in, not just when they’re on. Unplug as many outlets as is feasible to keep energy use to a minimum. Using power strips to control when the electricity is running to those tools is also helpful.

7. Support Local Businesses

When you shop through local businesses, particularly local food vendors, you’re not taking on the extra emissions that come from packaging and transportation, which already creates a whopping 13% of U.S. carbon emissions.

8. Recycle Everything You Can

Paper, plastic, glass and most other materials are recyclable. Send as much of your waste as possible to recycling centers instead of landfills and feel good about what you’re putting back into the world.

9. Avoid Overnight Charging

Most electronics do not need a full night of your sleep to charge. Try to keep your appliances unplugged while you sleep to keep them from overcharging and reduce fire hazards in the home to boot.

10. Take Shorter Showers

Finally, perhaps the most well-known advice for reducing your carbon footprint and energy use is to take shorter showers to save on water use and heating costs.

BONUS: Let Leggett Inc. Assist

While some of these steps offer easy, immediate reduction in your carbon footprint, others may require a professional hand to help you make the most of it.

Leggett Inc. is ready to help you transform your home and business systems into a powerhouse of efficiency. Contact us today to learn more about our energy efficiency program and how our services may be the solution you need to do your part for the world.