Being environmentally conscious can sometimes be a tricky task. We all have the best intentions but sometimes we forget about the little things we can do to be more environmentally friendly. 

We’ve compiled a list of a few small things you can do that will greatly benefit you and the environment. Check it out! 

Recycling, Flowers, and Solar Panel Blinds, oh my!

These are just a few simple ways you can become more environmentally conscious:

Wash, Rinse, Recycle, Repeat

We’ve all heard it before: reduce, reuse, recycle. 

But did you know? 

Most people aren’t recycling correctly. 

When workers go through the recycling bin, they are having to actually throw away many recyclable items into the trash because they weren’t disposed of properly. 

So how do we recycle properly? Here’s how: 

First, make sure you can recycle the item you wish to get rid of. You can find out if it’s recyclable by checking the bottom of the product for a recycling symbol that looks like a triangle with a number in it. If it has that, you’re good to go. 

Most people don’t know that when you’ve finished using a recyclable item, it has to be cleaned. That may mean using soap and water to really make sure the gunk is removed. Unfortunately, even though things like pizza boxes are technically recyclable because they are made of cardboard, they are often recycled but then thrown in the trash later because of the grease on the box. So a good rule of thumb is if it’s beyond cleaning, it probably just needs to be thrown away. 

Next, peel off any extra paper, glue, or sticky substances clinging to the plastic you’re wanting to recycle. 

Finally, take off any plastic caps as well as the ring beneath it and place it separate from the bottle into the recycling bin.  

Voila! Now you have a perfectly recyclable piece of plastic. 

No More Single-Use Plastic 

Single-use plastic includes things like grocery bags that really only serve one purpose.

So, throw out (or recycle) the idea of using single-use plastic and start using reusable products. 

It’s easy! All you have to do is stock up on reusable bags and you can use them for pretty much anything. Trader Joes has some wonderful and affordable bags you can see here. 

Going to the farmers market? Take your reusable bag to stock up on local produce so the vendors don’t have to use their plastic bags. 

Heading to the grocery store? Pack a couple of reusable bags for the trip and use them instead of plastic grocery bags. Some stores have point systems and will offer extra points when you bring your own bags. 

You can also use reusable bags to carry books, laptops, lunch and so much more! The possibilities are endless. 

If you’re looking for something to replace single-use plastic wrap or plastic baggies, beeswax wraps are the way to go. Basically, it’s a piece of fabric that has been coated with beeswax and it’s great for covering slices of fruit, covering a bowl of unfinished dinner, or even wrapping up a sandwich for lunch. It’s extremely versatile and can be used over and over again. You can find some great ones here. 

Flower Power

It’s time to put that green thumb to use and plant a few flowers! 

Planting flowers is great for the environment because it provides food for bees so they can pollinate other plants. 

We’re not saying you have to plant a whole garden (but we’re also not saying you can’t!) Even planting one little pot of flowers can benefit the environment.

An added bonus of planting flowers is you get to enjoy the beautiful plants! Having colorful flowers can actually help to boost your mood so it’s a win-win! 

So swing by your local garden shop, pick out a cute pot, some dirt and a pack of wildflower seeds and plant away! 

Solar Power Up

Solar power is a great way to be more environmentally conscious. However, not everyone can afford to put solar panels on their roof or drive a smart car. 

So we’ve got a great and affordable solution to bring more solar energy in your own home. 

Solar-powered window coverings. 

That’s right, we’re talking about blinds and roller shades that function all on their own and are powered by the sun. 

tilt has developed a fantastic line of solar-powered window coverings that can do a multitude of things. 

For starters, tilt’s window coverings are not run on a battery, they're run off of a tiny solar panel that comes with the system. That way, you’re being environmentally friendly and you don’t have to worry about replacing (or throwing out) a battery. 

Not only are tilt’s window coverings solar-powered, but they are also automated, meaning they control themselves all on their own. 

In order to make them work, you just have to hook them up to a smart device or your phone and you can tell your motorized solar window coverings to open and close at any time! They’re even smart enough to know when to close in order to optimize the coolness in a room. 

Do you know what that means? 

You’ll save money on your energy bill and use less energy, thus helping the environment! 

So what are you waiting for? Make your house more environmentally friendly and get yourself some tilt window coverings! 

Get your solar panel window coverings now!