3

Avoid using express or expedited delivery services when you can, since these services tend to add up to more trips for delivery drivers.

Make sure you really want an item before you buy it, since returning items contributes to more vehicle emissions.

You’ll probably need to go out from time to time, but try to limit your store runs to no more than once a week. This will limit your chances of being exposed to the virus while also cutting down on car emissions.









4 Buy toilet paper with plastic-free packaging to minimize plastic waste. Plastics are notoriously terrible for the environment, not only because of the waste they create but because of the amount of energy that goes into making and even recycling them. Avoid the TP rush at the store and help the environment at the same time by ordering eco-friendly toilet paper online from companies like Who Gives a Crap, Reel, and Pure Planet Club.

You can take it a step further by purchasing recycled toilet paper or even tree-free toilet paper, which is made of materials like bamboo and sugar cane waste.

Alternatively, skip the TP altogether and invest in a bidet!



5 Use reusable items as much as you can. This makes sense at any time, but it’s also important to apply this basic rule of green living during the quarantine. If you have food delivered, ask them to leave out the napkins, plasticware, and plates. Use your own cutlery and tableware instead. Need to go out shopping? Bring your own reusable cloth shopping bags, then launder them when you get home.

Sometimes it’s safer to use disposable items, and that’s okay. For example, the CDC recommends using disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting items that might have been exposed to the coronavirus.



6 Make your own household cleaners to cut back on plastics. While you should use bleach, alcohol, or another EPA-approved disinfectant to kill germs and viruses, you can do basic household cleaning with eco-friendly DIY cleansers. Make a small enough batch for just one cleaning job, or fill a clean spray bottle so you can use it again. This is a great way to reduce plastic waste and cut back on environmentally harmful cleaning chemicals at the same time.

To make a simple cleaner with orange peels and vinegar, gather enough orange peels to fill half a mason jar. Pour in enough white vinegar to cover the peels and fill the jar, then close the jar and store it in a dark place for 2 weeks. Use a fine mesh to strain the mixture over a bowl, then throw away the peels. Pour your new cleaner into a clean spray bottle!



7 Avoid panic buying unnecessary supplies. Buying way more toilet paper, hand sanitizer, or food than you need hurts other people, and it’s also super wasteful. Even in places with lockdown orders, most grocery and home goods stores are staying open, which means there’s no need to buy several months’ worth of supplies. Make a list of the things you actually need and stick to the list as much as possible.

Prevent food waste by planning ahead when you buy groceries. Don’t buy tons of perishables unless you plan to eat them within the next few days or have space in your freezer for things you won’t eat right away.

Be respectful of buying limits on high-demand goods like paper products, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes. Buying up more than you need will put pressure on manufacturers to churn out even more and increase the need for deliveries to stores in your area. Buying way more toilet paper, hand sanitizer, or food than you need hurts other people, and it’s also super wasteful. Even in places with lockdown orders, most grocery and home goods stores are staying open, which means there’s no need to buy several months’ worth of supplies. Make a list of the things you actually need and stick to the list as much as possible. While you should use bleach, alcohol, or another EPA-approved disinfectant to kill germs and viruses, you can do basic household cleaning with eco-friendly DIY cleansers. Make a small enough batch for just one cleaning job, or fill a clean spray bottle so you can use it again. This is a great way to reduce plastic waste and cut back on environmentally harmful cleaning chemicals at the same time. This makes sense at any time, but it’s also important to apply this basic rule of green living during the quarantine. If you have food delivered, ask them to leave out the napkins, plasticware, and plates. Use your own cutlery and tableware instead. Need to go out shopping? Bring your own reusable cloth shopping bags, then launder them when you get home. Plastics are notoriously terrible for the environment, not only because of the waste they create but because of the amount of energy that goes into making and even recycling them. Avoid the TP rush at the store and help the environment at the same time by ordering eco-friendly toilet paper online from companies like Who Gives a Crap, Reel, and Pure Planet Club.

If you’re practicing social distancing, there’s a good chance you’re doing this one already! Shopping online will not only help protect you from getting sick, but it will also reduce the amount of traffic on the roads. This, in turn, can help cut down on harmful emissions. Try to buy as many items as you need in as few shipments as possible to reduce traffic to your home.