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Earth Month might be in the rearview mirror, but if you're like most of us across Los Angeles, spring cleaning is still in full swing. Whether you're clearing out a garage in the Valley, tidying a yard in South LA, or finally tackling that crowded closet on the Westside, it's the perfect moment to turn fresh spaces into sustainable habits.
Taking care of our environment doesn't have to be overwhelming. The hardest part of any eco-friendly journey is just taking that first step. To help you get started, we’ve put together a checklist of green tweaks you can make inside and outside your home. We've broken them down into two easy categories:
- Smaller Shifts: Simple, everyday habits you can start right now (many of them are totally free!).
- Longer-term Shifts: Projects that take a little more planning and commitment, but bring broader-reaching, lasting benefits to your wallet and our city.
Loving our planet is an action word. Let’s dive into how we can show some appreciation for the place we all call home!
Smaller Shifts
- Green Up Your Plate
The food you eat every day has a huge impact on the planet. According to the United Nations (link here), about a third of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are linked to food and animal agriculture. Thankfully, adopting a more sustainable diet is one easy way to start making a difference. And you can start small by opting for organic veggies when possible, visiting your local farmer’s market, and cooking plant-based meals. (Remember, rice, lentils, and beans are great sources of protein! And inexpensive, tasty ones at that.) - Unplug Idle Electronics
According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the expense of idle yet plugged-in devices stands at approximately 19 billion dollars annually in the US. That’s not all – during this same time frame, a staggering 44 million tons of carbon are needlessly generated from those unused devices. By adopting simple practices like using power strips for unplugging multiple items at once and remembering to unplug infrequently used devices, we can make a considerable difference. - Be Water-Wise
Around 2.5% of the Earth’s water is freshwater, and humans can only access an infinitesimal amount of it: only about 1.2% of that freshwater is surface water. That means that on the blue planet, only around 0.3% of the water is both accessible and non-saline! You can make a huge impact by reducing your water usage (more info at the link here), taking shorter showers, fixing any leaky faucets around the house or even sticking something heavy into your toilet tank to reduce the amount that gets flushed down the drain. By being conscious of how we consume water, we can play a pivotal role in conserving this precious resource that’s particularly vital for our region. - Get Outside More
Step away from your electronics and spend more time outside! Studies show that spending as little as 20 minutes outside reduces stress and anxiety, and even helps you sleep better! They also suggest that the more time you spend outside each day, the more likely you are to behave in environmentally-friendly ways, such as recycling, riding a bike, buying eco-friendly products and so much more. So the next time you’re eyeing that online purchase for a quick dopamine boost, head outside for a half-hour and see if that doesn’t do the trick. - Start Composting
Composting is another foolproof, year-round practice for reducing food waste and living sustainably in the kitchen and the garden. Organic material items like potato skins, egg shells, fruit peels and old newspapers naturally decompose, making them the perfect items to add to your compost pile, and if you’re lucky enough to have your own garden space, it’s the perfect way to add nutrients back into the soil to nourish fruits and veggies. Though it might feel daunting to join the composting community, taking the plunge isn’t as hard as you might fear: the City of Los Angeles offers free weekend composting workshops at municipal facilities throughout the year, with compost bins and other tools available for purchase while supplies last. - Make Your Own Cleaning Products
When it comes to green cleaning, white vinegar is about to become your new best friend. Its acidic, non-toxic goodness can deter bugs around your doorways and patio edges, and it makes a fantastic cleaning agent. For extra oomph, sprinkle baking soda on tough grime and then spritz a little vinegar on top. You’ll be brought back to your middle school science experiment days, except instead of watching a volcano erupt, you’ll be watching stains fizzle out of existence, without a toxin in sight. - Lose the Single-Use Products
We get it: single-use is the default in many kitchen cabinets. But opting for more sustainable solutions is better for the environment and your wallet. Trade out conventional trash bags for biodegradable alternatives, opt for eco-friendly bar dish soap, and replace plastic scrub brushes with bamboo versions. One of the most impactful shifts, however, is ditching paper towels in favor of reusable, washable cloths. Plus, isn’t a little colorful towel pinned to your kitchen wall quite a bit cuter than a jumbo roll of pulpy paper? - Buy Second-Hand Clothing
Believe it or not, the fast fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world, contributing 10% of humankind’s carbon emissions (source at the link here.) There are plenty of moving parts to this, from production to shipping to disposal. But instead of perpetuating the cycle by buying all-new pieces, consider picking up “new-to-you” items from thrift stores, second-hand shops and garage sales to help reduce waste and save money!
Longer-term Shifts, Broader-reaching Impacts
- Organize a Neighborhood Clean-up
Tree People and Heal the Bay frequently facilitate clean-ups around SoCal. You can channel that earthy energy all year long by getting your family, friends, and neighbors together for a clean-up close to home. Be sure to wear gloves when picking up litter, and take special care to clean out storm drains: those go straight to our waterways! - Consider Installing a Rain Barrel
Rain barrels are smart water-saving tools that collect rainwater from your roof for later use on lawns, gardens or indoor plants. This reduces runoff from your property and provides free water for your landscape. You can easily find rain barrels online or buy them at hardware stores. The Los Angeles Metropolitan Water District also offers a rebate for barrels 50 gallons and larger. (Learn more about rebate requirements at the link here.) These barrels not only help save water but also help promote a greener future for our outdoor spaces. You can also learn more in our blog post “Spring Greening, Spring Cleaning;” you can read the whole article at the link here. - Retrofit Your House
We often overlook the fact that we can make our homes more eco-friendly by tweaking some physical features. Take insulation, for example. By improving your home’s insulation, it’ll be able to hold onto heat better, requiring less energy to keep your place warm or cool. Plus, it’s a smart way to cut down on costs. And even if a big upgrade isn’t in the cards, smaller changes like using blackout curtains, getting a smart meter or fixing leaks can also make a difference. These tweaks boost efficiency, save you money and do good for the environment.
We’d love to hear about some of your favorite sustainability plans, or any other efforts you take throughout the year to make your home more earth-friendly! Share your stories and ideas with us at LAStormwater@LACity.org!