How to Live a More Sustainable and Eco Friendly Life This Earth Month

April 22 is Earth Day, a day for all of us to reflect on our own eco footprints and consider ways in which we can reduce our impact on a daily basis. Earth Day is recognized as the largest civic event in the world, and one you certainly want to be a part of. And you can be a part of the movement all month long, because April is Earth Month! Right now is a great opportunity to think about how we are living and what we could be doing better for our environment. This month aims to raise awareness about climate change and global warming, as well as inspire all of us to act towards the protection of the environment and focus on the need for conservation. With this in mind, here are some tips and ideas to be more earth friendly and sustainable not just in April but all year round:

#1 Plant a tree (or two or three!) Planting a tree is not only good for you, but generations to come. This month, get your hands dirty and plant a few native flowers and trees. This helps to restore local habitats and keep our planet beautiful. You can do this in your own yard, or join one of the many groups meeting up and making an effort around local parks and communities this time of year. Earthday.org has fantastic resources if you need help finding a community to join.

#2 Go paperless whenever possible. Millions upon millions of trees are cut down every year for paper items we quickly throw away. This is especially alarming since it’s so easy to avoid this waste. Begin by choosing to receive your monthly bills and bank statements via email. You could also ask shops to email you the receipt instead of printing them. If you need to print out a document, use both sides of the paper. It seems simple once you think about it!

#3 Eat less meat. That's right meat lovers! The production of meat is one of the biggest contributors to climate change as well as the pollution of both landscapes and waterways. This doesn’t mean you necessarily have to go vegetarian or vegan. Even making an effort to eat one meat-free meal a day helps. Have a bowl of cereal and a piece of fruit for breakfast instead of bacon and eggs. Who doesn’t love margherita pizza for dinner? By eating less meat, you can help to reduce the impact the meat industry has on the Earth.

#4 Donate to an environmental cause you care about. You can’t do it all yourself! If you’re looking for a way to get involved, giving a financial contribution is a great way to do it. From the National Forest Foundation to the Environmental Defense Fund, there are a plethora of nonprofits that are dedicated to making the world a better place. With so many options, it’s easy to find a group focused on a cause you hold dear to your heart, whether its a beach clean-up in your own town or rainforest preservation a world away.

#5 Buy from environmentally conscious brands. When you spend your money buying new items, you’re telling companies you support them. Think of your dollars as a “vote” for how they conduct business. The best way to ensure more companies offer sustainable, eco friendly products is to simply buy from them. However, we know many times this is easier said than done. Most consumers don’t know where their products came from or how they were made.

This is why at Coco Blanco, we believe in being totally transparent. We are passionate about supporting artisans who produce not only quality goods, but goods that are unique and sustainably-made. When you purchase one of our pieces, you can feel safe in knowing that we only partner with businesses that ensure their artisans are paid properly, treated fairly and all of the pieces are made sustainably. This means a master craftsperson made your item by hand, one at a time. From blankets to dog collars to home decor items and everything in between, our artisans take pride in what they do. Buying in this way is a fantastic option to be more eco friendly. 

Change starts with action. Why not make conscious actions that affect the world around you in a positive way? When you combine buying sustainably made products, planting trees, reducing the amount of paper you use, and any number of other simples ideas, you are doing your part in making our Earth a little better for everyone!