1. Travel light.

When you imagine a traffic jam, you can probably envision all that exhaust coming from the cars and trucks! It’s true that driving is one of the worst offenders regarding carbon emissions. But you don’t have to stop driving entirely to do your part.

Consider walking or biking destinations when it is possible. It’s better for the planet and good exercise! If it’s too far to walk or bike, consider taking public transportation or carpooling. Making little changes, even sometimes, will reduce your carbon footprint over the long term.

2. Filter your own water.

Many of us have been on the reusable bottle train for years, but those single-serve plastic bottles are still out there! Not only do they create garbage, but they also take millions of gallons of oil annually to produce. If you prefer filtered water to tap, purchase a filter for your water tap, or invest in a water purification system, and avoid bottled water.

3. Reduce, reuse, recycle.

Ah, the three Rs. Many of us have been familiar with them since early childhood, but it means more than putting cardboard boxes out on the curb on recycling day. There are some easy habit changes we can make to do a little more.

• Switch to paperless billing! Pay your bills online and reduce paper use.
• Reuse plastic bags to line your garbage can instead of buying new ones.
• Compost your organic waste. Most municipalities in Alberta offer a curbside compost pickup program.
• Use reusable containers for your packed lunches instead of plastic bags.
• If you need something for the house, see if you can find something second-hand online or at a thrift store. It’s better for the environment, and you’ll get a better price!

4. Manage your energy use at home.

Our homes use energy, but some devices and appliances are needlessly wasting energy. Here are some ways you can manage your energy use at home:

• Turn off the lights and the TV when you leave the room.
• Turn off and unplug electronic devices when you’re not using them. Devices like computers and video game consoles drain energy, even when they’re in sleep mode.
• Wash your clothes in cold water instead of hot. It also helps keep those colours bright!
• Swap your old incandescent light bulbs for LEDs.
• Look for ENERGY STAR®-certified appliances when it’s time to upgrade your older ones.

These minor changes add up to using less energy and reducing your carbon footprint.

5. Change your eating habits.

The food we eat can have a significant impact on the environment. For example, meat and dairy products use a lot of land, water, and energy to produce. They also create a lot of methane, a greenhouse gas with a big footprint. Swapping a few meat meals for veggie meals each week can make a difference.

Plus, it’s best to eat local produce and products. Food shipped from overseas, or even the US, uses more resources than local produce. Eating locally grown, organic foods reduces the demand for long-distance shipping and decreases the amount of carbon burned to get food on our tables. And supporting local businesses creates stronger local economies and communities.

6. Insulate and seal your house.

Did you know that heating and cooling your home is responsible for the largest percentage of your energy use? If your home isn’t insulated or sealed properly, all that expensive energy you’re paying for is escaping outside!

An insulation upgrade and sealing leaks around windows and doors will keep that warm or cool air inside! Plus, you’ll find the house more comfortable and have lower energy bills year-round.

7. Purchase carbon offsets.

When you purchase carbon offsets, you donate money to an organization or project that is doing something to reduce carbon emissions. For example, the organization might plant trees or promote renewable energy use. Supporting them helps us reduce carbon emissions overall.

Direct Energy offers options to purchase carbon offsets! Direct Energy customers can add a percentage of their bill to any electricity or natural gas + electricity plan. This percentage purchases Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and supports environmentally friendly renewable energy projects. Whether you’re a current customer or looking for a change, learn more about our green option.

Simple habits make a big difference.

By lowering your carbon footprint, you can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. But there are more benefits, too! Going green can lead to a healthier lifestyle, saving money and a positive state of mind. Plus, reducing your carbon footprint contributes to making the world a better place now and for future generations.