1. Educate yourself! Then you can effectively do your part to help the environment. You can do this by researching and voting for elected officials that care about the planet, learning about the products you consume, and understanding how your day to day living affects the planet's health. I love this website to help learn more about how to recycle.

2. Limit waste, especially non-biodegradable waste, because our trash ends up in landfills and the ocean. Chemicals in items like plastics, cleaning products, cosmetics, and medications can seep back into the land we use to grow crops and drinking water sources. They can pollute ocean water and threaten sea life and oceanic agriculture.

• Replace single use plastic items with reusable versions made from eco friendly materials (stainless steel, bamboo, and cotton)

• Reduce packaging by supporting companies that keep packaging materials to a minimum, do not use Styrofoam, and instead stuff packages with paper filling. Many companies will state that they use eco-friendly packaging/shipping!

• Bring a cardboard box or a tote grocery shopping with you so you can limit the amount of plastic bags used to package your groceries

• A great company that offers eco-friendly personal care products, home cleaning products, baby and pet products AND ships in eco-friendly packaging is GROVE Collaborative! Use THIS LINK to get a free Mrs. Meyers gift set and get started on your sustainability journey!

• Beauty By Earth is an organic skin care brand that offers eco-friendly packaged products at an affordable price and using ALEXISFITCO at checkout will save you more $$! CLICK HERE to get shopping!

  • The BBE promise: Always made without Sulfates · Parabens · Phthalates · Synthetic Dyes/Fragrances · Triclosan · Petroleum · Gluten

3. Limit emissions into the atmosphere. During the pandemic, this has been easier to minimize because of virtual learning and work keeping us at home. However, tips to continue reducing emissions include choosing land travel vs. air travel whenever possible, carpooling, shopping local, and dining local. 4. Conserve water and energy. Sounds simple but I bet you don't even realize you're wasting water or energy with simple daily tasks!

• For instance, turn off the water while washing your hands, brushing your teeth, in between rinses during face washing, or shaving.

• Also, turn off the lights when you leave a room, use candles when you can, unplug appliances when they aren't in use, and quit staring into the fridge for so long!

• Skipping the drying cycle on the dishwasher can save a ton of energy! Consider line drying your clothes instead.

• Adjust your thermostat when you aren't at home and even turn it off during the spring, summer, and fall seasons.

• Purchase energy saving light bulbs for your home and buy them as gifts for others.

5. Avoid toxic chemicals and opt for products that do not have oxybenzone, sodium lauryl sulfate, formaldehyde, triclosan, parabens, and chlorine bleach, if you can. Purchase products from eco-friendly brands like Method, Grove, or Seventh Generation. You can click here to find a list of some popular brands that offer amazing products!

6. Finally, advocate for change and teach others what you know about sustainable living! The more people know, the more they are able to do their part and help save the planet! Forward these emails to friends and family to help spread awareness!