With a full-time job, an active social life, and perhaps a kid or a pup to raise, it can be tough to fit in a commitment to the environment — especially if it seems to require added cost or responsibility.

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1. Say ‘No’ to To-Go Waste

Even if you’re constantly on the run, it’s possible to reduce the amount of waste you generate by packing your own reusable mug, water bottle, food containers, and cutlery. The majority of restaurant to-go containers are still made from plastics that don’t recycle easily, so they’re used once and then thrown away. Each plastic cup, fork, straw, and clamshell box costs money, and you can be sure this cost is passed onto consumers — not to mention the environmental costs of all that plastic waste.

2. Water Well

Water is a precious resource, which is often a fact overlooked in developed countries where we can just turn on the tap and get clean, safe water. However, according to a 2025 WHO/UNICEF report, 2.1 billion people globally still lack access to safely managed drinking water, and the global potable water supply is under pressure from climate change and population growth. You can decrease your water consumption by following a few simple steps.

Flush and run sparingly: The average toilet uses between 1.6 and 5.5 gallons of water per flush. If you are already “letting it mellow,” save even more water by turning on the tap only when absolutely necessary. There’s no need for the water to run when brushing your teeth, washing your hands, or doing the dishes, for example.

Make sure it’s really dirty before washing: Clothing, dishes, and your body should undergo the wash and rinse cycle only when necessary. Use the same water glass all day, and wear those jeans more than once.

3. Hang It Out to Dry

Clothes dryers are among the most energy-intensive household appliances. Most of us are not willing to give up cold milk and crisp veggies from the fridge, but we can easily use the dryer less often, which can add up to significant savings of energy and money.

As an added bonus, letting your clothes air dry extends their usable lives (it is much less taxing on the stitching and fabric), it gives you a good excuse to get outside in nice weather, and line-dried laundry smells better too! If you live in a place where drying clothes outside right now would mean wearing duds that are cold and wet, consider using indoor drying racks to accomplish the same energy-free job.

4. Lights, Camera, Out!

Many electronic devices — such as phone and camera chargers, televisions, and computers — continue to draw energy even when in the “off” position. To avoid phantom power use, unplug such devices or plug everything into a power strip you can turn off when not in use. Encourage these same practices at your workplace. And no matter where you are, always turn off unnecessary lights.

5. Be a Wise Post-Consumer

In the digital age, many of us still rely on a steady stream of paper in our offices, kitchens, and bathrooms. Here are some easy suggestions for keeping more trees outside.

Print sparingly: When you do need to hold a document in your hand, be sure it has been printed and/or copied on both sides, and of course, be sure to recycle when done.

Buy the highest level of post-consumer, recycled paper: From toilet paper to notebooks, there is rarely a reason to use virgin paper. Look for the percentage on the packaging (such as products made with 100% recycled or 50% post-consumer materials), and also look for paper that is processed chlorine-free (PCF).

Class it up with cloth: Reusable napkins are not just for fancy dinner parties. They can be washed and reused indefinitely. The same goes for old T-shirts or towels, which can be repurposed as rags and used instead of disposable paper towels.

6. Resist the Urge to Splurge

A lack of excess cash can serve as a great excuse to reduce your consumption. Here are a few suggestions to help you consume less.

Take a consumption vacation: Consider taking the day or week off from making any new purchases, with the exception of necessities such as health products and food. By doing this, you’re not only saving money, but you’re also reducing the waste created throughout the life cycle of each new product, the packaging used, and the fuel consumed and produced in transporting products from the original resources to the manufacturer to your local store.

Buy nice, don’t buy twice: For necessities, make sure that you buy the highest quality, most energy-efficient, environmentally friendly model available within your budget. From appliances (Energy Star) to food (Local Harvest), there are low-impact alternatives for almost everything on the market.

7. Bid Your Car Adieu

We are a society that loves our cars, but there are many alternatives to a day spent solo in your gas-guzzling ride. Backing out of your car rut can also provide new opportunities to socialize and get some exercise.

Get on the bus: Many cities and towns have excellent public transportation systems that include buses, subways, and trains. You’ll be surprised at the new friends you make or the added reading time you find when not behind the wheel.

Carpool with friends or co-workers: Rideshare services now make it easier than ever to find a match. Uber’s UberX Share allows passengers traveling in the same direction to share a ride and reduce costs while cutting emissions. Lyft and Waze discontinued their shared rides programs in 2023.

Get on a bike or walk: While riding your bike or walking might take a little longer to reach your destination, the fresh air, reduced carbon emissions, and the exercise more than make up for the extra minutes.

Phone it in: Explore telecommuting or teleconferencing options with your employer to significantly reduce your daily commute. According to Global Workplace Analytics, a typical employer can save an average of $11,000 per half-time remote worker per year, while employees save between $2,000 and $6,500 annually from reduced commuting and related costs. Telecommuting just a few days a week will save you and your employer money.

8. Ban Planned Obsolescence

The more we view potential waste as building blocks for new products, the lower our overall impact will be. Granted, some products (“gum” comes to mind) are decidedly single-use items, but with a little creativity, many others can easily be creatively repurposed.

Originally published on April 6, 2009, article was most recently updated in January 2026.