With Earth Day occurring on the 22nd, April is a great time to think about ways to live greener and protect the planet. Not only is eco-friendly parenting a way of protecting the Earth for the future of your children, but it will also set a great example to teach them to be environmentally-conscious and responsible. Being a greener parent will also positively impact the health and safety of your children, and eco-friendliness is far easier than many people think.
Here are some simple ways that you can start being a more eco-friendly parent:
1. Make your own baby food. This is a money saver and a great way to introduce new fresh fruits and vegetable to your baby. In addition to the nutritional benefits, making your own baby food cuts down on the waste that the pre-packaged food comes in. You could also start your own garden and enjoy outdoor time with your little one.
2. Consider using cloth diapers. Disposable diapers require three times as much energy to be produced than their cloth counterparts and produce 60 percent more waste. If the idea of dealing with dirty cloth diapers makes you cringe, you can often find a diaper service in your area that will handle the mess so that you don’t have to, and often, these services are comparable or less in price than purchasing disposable diapers. The new cloth diapers are so easy to use and the patterns are adorable.
3. Find ways to reuse and recycle. As your children grow out of their clothes, lose interest in their toys and no longer need their strollers and exersaucers, donate them to charity, trade them with your friends or sell them online or at a consignment shop.
4. Green your groceries. Cook your meals at home using certified organic foods and produce obtained from local Farmer’s Markets whenever possible. Your family will enjoy healthier meals, and you’ll be supporting farms that use environmentally-responsible agricultural methods. Don’t forget you reusable grocery bags!
5. Walk more. Before you reach for your car keys for a day of running local errands, ask yourself if you really need your car. Heading out on foot with your stroller will conserve fossil fuels, cut back on emissions and help you stay in shape.
