Spring is here. It’s time to bask in the sunshine and drink up the sights, sounds, and scents of nature in bloom. Whether you want to do some spring cleaning and organizing with natural handwoven baskets, or go strolling in style with a spring tote bag, this is the best time to stop and smell the flowers. 

Spring is also a symbol of hope and new beginnings. That is why other people take this chance to reconnect to nature and themselves. While people enjoy the benefits of spring, it is also good to give back by being more eco-friendly. Every effort that we make to be more mindful of how we treat the environment goes a long way. 

To help out, we have put together some easy eco-friendly tips. These ideas will help you become more earth-friendly. It also promotes a more sustainable lifestyle. Read on and learn how the spring season can benefit you and the world you live in.

Spring Forward

Photo from Pinterest

Now that winter has melted into warm sunshine, spring forward toward a more sustainable way of life. Little steps taken in the comforts of your own space can contribute to the general well-being of the planet.

 

1. Get Physical Outdoors 

Photo by Bluejay Bicycles

Spring is the best time to be more active. Get your daily dose of Vitamin D by exercising outdoors. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the right amount of physical activity can help improve health. For example, at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity is good for adults aged 18 to 64.

Physical activities do not only mean a set of exercise regimens. It includes all movement done while getting from one place to another, while working, or during leisure. You can be earth-friendly by getting physically active outdoors. For instance, you can walk, run, or play in the park. You can also use alternative forms of transportation like using your bike. Opting for electric vehicles also cuts down greenhouse gas emissions compared to gas-guzzling vehicles.

 

2. Grow a Garden

Photo by Canva

Another popular spring activity is gardening. It’s also a form of physical activity with several health benefits. It can also be aesthetically pleasing and promote well-being.

Whether it’s an herb, flower, fruit, or vegetable garden, starting one has many advantages. For one, it helps the environment. Home gardening can lessen your carbon footprint, promote clean air, and prevent soil erosion. 

Home gardening also offers accessibility, affordability, and availability of nutritious fruits and vegetables. Having a homegrown food source saves you time and energy to go to the market, as well.

If you’re a newbie gardener, here are some basic tips:

1. Choose a location with plenty of light and drainage.
2. Ensure accessibility such as having a footpath and nearby storage area.
3. Research on what plants or produce grow best in springtime in your area.
4. Invest in good-quality soil, compost, or organic matter.
5. Use gardening products that are chemical-free or organic.

3. Spring Clean

 

Cleaning out the clutter is another way to switch to a more sustainable way of life. 

Firstly, you can swap your usual cleaning products for earth-friendly and organic concoctions. Whether it is a DIY cleaner or store-bought, it’s still a better bet to go for low- or non-toxic, plant-based, paraben-free, and earth-friendly products.

Another way to become more sustainable at home is to go for products made from sustainable materials. You can use multipurpose baskets to organize your things, for example. 

Reusing or repurposing your current home items also helps minimize clutter. Floor baskets can be used as hampers, storage for toys, or as decorative planters. Wooden dishes can also have another lease in life as trinket trays or catchalls. If you don’t have use for certain things anymore, you can also donate them. 

 

4. Use Less Water

Photo by Roberta Shiels

Spring may make you want to go outside and water the flowers, bathe your pets, or wash the car. You may even want to play outdoors and make rainbows. There are plenty of fun activities you can do outside this season but you may want to dial down on water use. 

Less than 1% of the world’s water is accessible. Earth may be largely covered in water but 97% of that is not suitable for drinking. That’s why we should be mindful of our water consumption. However, so as not to rain on your parade, you can still enjoy water-related activities. Just keep in mind some tips on how to save on water:

• Use a bucket. For example, you can use this to catch the water used in washing produce and then use it to water plants in your garden. Or you can use a bucket to wash your car instead of spraying water everywhere with a hose.
• Take shorter showers. This reduces water wastage and cuts your water bill.
• Don’t let the tap run when brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing the dishes. 
• Check for leaks around the house.

5. Watch What You Wear

 

Did you know that what you wear also impacts the environment? The fashion industry is the second largest polluter in the world. The rise of fast fashion contributes to water pollution, textile waste deposits in landfills, and about 10% of global carbon emissions. 

It is highly encouraged that people become more responsible in their fashion purchases. You can do so by adopting the following examples:

• Alter or repair clothing or other fashion pieces to adapt to new trends or keep wearing them for longer.
• Opt for items made of organic or natural fibers. It’s best to choose ones made without using chemicals. 
• Choose items made with fibers that consume less water such as animal-based fibers produced in a sustainable manner like alpaca or silk. You can also go for plant-based fibers with low environmental impact like abaca or hemp. Other fibers that have low environmental impact are recycled fibers and semi-synthetic fibers.
• Wash clothes only when you need to and at a lower temperature (30ºC). Washing synthetic materials sheds microplastics, a leading marine pollutant. Overwashing using high temperatures also affects the quality of your clothes.

In Full Bloom

Photo by Julia Berolzheimer

Spring certainly offers an array of activities that people enjoy. Going outdoors, getting closer to nature, and keeping a neat and clean home are some of the popular spring pastimes. To ensure that we get to enjoy more of the beautiful spring season bounty for a longer time, we have to remember to care for the environment. What we do directly affects the world we live in so let’s try to spring for sustainability in the way we think and act.