Most people want to do whatever they can to preserve and maintain the environment, but finding ways to be eco-friendly isn’t always as easy as it should be. There are a lot of misconceptions out there and some people claim you have to completely change the way you live to have an impact on the environment.

Nothing could be further from the truth. You just need to know where to begin.

Here are a few easy tips to help you reduce your carbon footprint and be as eco-friendly as possible from now on.

1. Start Recycling Whenever and Whatever You Can

How many times do you take the trash out each week? If you’re like most people, you fill one full-size garbage bag every few days. Once that trash makes it to the dump, it sits there for decades until it breaks down.

Much of what you throw in the trash can actually get recycled and repurposed into new items. Things like plastic bottles, newspapers, soda cans and cardboard boxes can all get recycled!

Instead of tossing them in the trash, find a local recycling center and drop them off. You’ll reduce the amount of waste you contribute to landfills with every trip!

2. Invest in Solar Panels for Your Home

Electricity powers almost every major appliance in your house. That means you’re constantly relying on the local electric company to give you the power you need.

Most utility companies rely on fossil fuels to produce that power which generates pollution every day. Installing solar panels at your home can reduce or eliminate the need for standard electricity.

So, how does solar energy work for you? The solar panels you install use the sun’s energy to create electricity your home can use to power appliances. It’s a completely clean form of electricity you can rely on.

3. Bring Your Own Shopping Bags

Plastic bags are convenient, but they typically get used once before ending up in a landfill. As the plastic degrades in the landfill, it won’t go away entirely. It breaks down into small particles that end up in the water supply and soil.

The more plastic that ends up in the water, the more damage it can do to wildlife and the environment.

Instead of using those plastic grocery bags, bring your own reusable bags to the store. Canvas bags are the most long-lasting, but if you’re on a budget, consider reusing old paper bags or commit to bringing plastic bags from your last shopping trip and load them up again.

4. Upgrade Your Light Bulbs

Incandescent light bulbs put out a steady supply of light, but they need a lot of electricity to do it. The more efficient your light bulbs are, the more eco-friendly your house can become.

If you can, replace your incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs. They produce the same amount and quality of light but require far less energy to do it. Even better, they can last for years so you won’t have to worry about replacing them every other month.

5. Install a Programmable Thermostat

Your home’s heating and cooling system is one of the biggest energy users in your home. It runs until it heats or cools your home to the desired temperature and kicks on anytime that temperature changes, even if you’re not home to enjoy it.

When you install a programmable thermostat, you’re able to set different temperatures when you’re away from home. Just increasing the thermostat by a few degrees in the summer and decreasing it by a couple in the winter can save you hundreds of dollars over the course of the year.

You can maximize your energy savings by closing the vents and doors in rooms you’re not actively using. The less space your system has to heat or cool, the less energy it will use!

Making your lifestyle more eco-friendly can be a challenge at first. It’s okay if you don’t get everything right at first. Use these tips as a starting point and start thinking about what else you can do to reduce your carbon footprint.