Going green provides many benefits. By eliminating harmful chemicals, unhealthy foods, and practices that have a detrimental impact on the environment, you improve your health, wellness, and the Earth.

Making changes toward a greener lifestyle isn’t always easy. You might not know what to avoid or what changes you need to make. Here are six things to avoid as you try to go green.

Bottled Water

Clean water is an important resource for everyone. While bottled water provides clean water, it’s inefficient and inexpensive. Not to mention that only 1 in 5 water bottles are recycled, meaning that the rest end up in landfills (or the ocean) where they can take hundreds of years to decompose.

Instead of purchasing individual bottles of water, purchase a reusable water bottle and fill it up at home. If you are concerned about pharmaceuticals or other contaminants in your tap water, invest in a water filter.

Plastic Toys for Your Children

Many toys for children are bright, shiny, and noisy. They’re also made of plastic. When these toys get broken (or they’re no longer used) they often get thrown out. Like plastic water bottles, these toys end up in landfills or the ocean.

This doesn’t mean you can’t give your kids toys if you want to live a greener lifestyle. There are plenty of alternatives that are just as fun, such as toys made from wood or recycled materials. When your kids outgrow their toys, donate them rather than throwing them out. Some may even be able to be recycled.

Traditional Energy Sources

Your home relies on electricity (and possibly gas) for power. It needs a power source for lights, heat, powering electronics, and so much more. Not only can electricity get expensive, but it’s also not environmentally friendly.

Avoiding non renewable energy might seem impossible. Fortunately, there are alternatives. Consider installing solar panels on the roof of your home. Solar panels convert the sun’s rays into energy that can power your home. Not only is the sun a completely renewable resource, but it can also save you a significant amount of money on your power bills.

Purchasing New

The latest fashions are more than just expensive, they can also be detrimental to the environment. Fast fashion is more affordable but comes at a significant environmental price.

The fashion industry is responsible for approximately 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Instead of purchasing new, shop second-hand. Shopping second-hand does more than just help the environment. You can find some incredible new looks at a much more affordable price.

Harmful Chemicals

Keeping your home clean is essential for maintaining a safe, healthy environment for you and your family. The thing is that many cleaning products contain chemicals that are harmful to your family members and the environment.

When purchasing cleaning products, pay attention to the ingredients. Better yet, make your own! Many green household cleaners can be made from ingredients you already have in your kitchen, such as water, vinegar, baking soda, lemons, and cornstarch. A simple online search for green DIY household cleaners provides several recipes that are quick, easy, and affordable.

Not Thinking About Your Food Choices

What you eat can have a significant impact on the environment if you don’t think about where your food is coming from. You need to make conscious decisions when purchasing food from the grocery store. Purchase locally grown, in-season produce. Eliminate meat from your diet. If you want to continue eating meat, reduce your overall consumption. When purchasing fish, choose sustainably sourced varieties. Stay away from products using unnecessary packaging.

In addition to the grocery store, check out local farmer’s markets in your area. The food at these markets has traveled a far shorter distance than many of the foods found in conventional stores. You can even grow your own vegetables in a garden in your backyard.

While going green might mean eliminating certain things from your life, that doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice anything. Careful planning can help to ensure that you make the transition more seamlessly.