A father and daughter sort recyclables together to better care for the environment

How to Help the Environment at Home With Your Family

According to the Climate Reanalyzer at the University of Maine, July 4th, 2023 was the hottest day in Earth’s history. That’s saying a lot, considering the planet is over 4.5 billion years old! We’ve reached the point where we can no longer deny that human behavior has big implications.

With that said, if humans have enough power to harm the planet, we also possess the power to help it. We only have one Earth, and it’s the world our children will inherit. This is a perfect time to model compassion for the next generation. Do you know how to help the environment at home and inspire your kids to make a difference?

We’ve created this quick guide to help. Explore a few easy, family-friendly ways to help the environment and do your part to preserve our planet.

Recycle and Compost

Many cities have recycling programs. Utilizing curbside pickup is the easiest way to ensure that recyclable materials get where they need to go. If your town provides a recycling bin, make sure to use it!

If you have young children in your household, they can help, too! It can be helpful to create signage to help them determine which items belong in the recycling bin. Consider printing out a small sign with pictures of bottles, cans, plastic cartons, glass jars, and metal packaging. This will help your child learn about the recycling process while practicing their early reading skills.

If your city doesn’t offer a recycling program, see if there’s a nearby recycling center. This requires a little more work, but we think the planet is worth the labor!

You can also begin an at-home composting practice. Maintain a home composting box and get the kids involved in saving scraps and creating new soil. Not only is it a simple way to help the environment, but it’s also a science lesson!

Tip: Choose Compostable Kitchen Products

Once you start composting, your family will become fascinated by this educational new way to help the environment! Purple Plumeria offers many kitchen products that are compostable at home, from Sandwich bags to kitchen sponges. Every item you place in your compost bin is an item that never sees a landfill.

Choose Sustainable Foods

Another one of the best ways to help the environment is to bring the kids along when you go food shopping!

We recommend visiting a local farmer’s market to buy the majority of your weekly produce. Local fruits and veggies use less fossil fuels and energy on their way into your kitchen. Plus, you’ll support the local farming economy, encouraging sound and sustainable practices. Did we mention that local produce tends to be fresher, which means it tastes better?

You’ll need something to go with your fruit and veggie haul, however! Did you know that sustainable seafood is the most environmentally efficient protein source on Earth? When you get your seafood from a sustainable fishery, you’re doing your part to protect the ocean ecosystem.

Other Simple Ways to Help the Environment

If you already recycle and shop sustainably, consider trying the following at home:

  • Implement a ‘Meatless Monday
  • Grow your own produce or spices at home
  • Switch out plastic water bottles for reusable ones
  • Make use of online freecycle programs
  • Start a carpool or a ‘bike to school’ day
  • Install energy-efficient light bulbs
  • Prioritize all-natural and chemical-free soaps and cleaning products
  • Model using reusable shopping bags
  • Educate kids about animals and ecosystems so they understand the stakes
  • Hike, explore, and enjoy the great outdoors

Ultimately, ensure that you feel good about the items you’re bringing into your home. If it inspires guilt, we bet there’s a sustainable or compostable replacement out there. Putting in the effort today will help inspire a greener future. Start with the Purple Plumeria catalog and make a positive, sustainable change.

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