In Shaklee, we believe that small, simple steps – shared with others – add up to big results.  It’s what we call The Shaklee Effect.™

And if each of us does our small part to incorporate sustainability into what we do every day, then together, we can make a big difference for the health of people and the planet

Here are 10 quick and easy tips to make every day Earth Day, in your home or workplace:

Tip No. 1 – Filter your own water.  Studies show bottled water is often no better than tap water, so why waste money and harm the environment buying it?  Not only are precious fossil fuels wasted in the production, manufacture, and transportation of bottled water, but it’s estimated that over 75 percent of these bottles end up in landfills.  The truth is:  it’s much cheaper and healthier to filter your own water.  Having a Get Clean water pitcher at home and at work makes it so easy to have fresh, healthy filtered water any time you need it for just a fraction of the cost of your annual bottled water habit.

Tip No. 2 – Replace your lightbulbs.  LED and CFL – or compact fluorescent bulbs use much less energy than old incandescent bulbs and save you money in the long run.  LED bulbs do have a higher up-front price tag, but they also have a lifespan of around 20 years.  Imagine replacing a bulb and then not having to do it again for two decades!

Tip No. 3 – Stop using single-use bags when you shop.  Single-use plastic bags in particular are a waste of energy and resources.  Choose a few strong, reusable bags and put them in your trunk. They even make bags that ball up into a golf-ball size to fit in your purse or glovebox.  It only takes a few times of having to run out to your car to get those reusable bags for you to remember them every time.

Tip No. 4 – Buy locally.  Now, you can’t buy everything locally, but you can commit to doing as much as you can. While farmers markets are popping up all over, many grocery stores are now dedicating parts of the produce section devoted to locally grown foods. The estimates on savings are hard to determine, but certainly buying an apple grown in your state is much less energy intensive than buying one shipped from thousands of miles away.

Tip No. 5 – Eat low on the food chain.  Even one meatless meal a week can help to reduce your carbon footprint.  In fact, it’s been estimated that it requires 2,500 gallons of water to produce a pound of beef, and that cows contribute greatly to the greenhouse effect by producing large amounts of methane.  So whenever possible, choose organically grown and pasture-raised meats to reduce the impact on the environment.

Tip No. 6 – Brown bag your lunch.  Why?  Well, eating out usually means a trip in a car, and the use of disposable, single-use containers, paper products, and plastic utensils.  Plus, most restaurant food is less healthy and higher in calories than what you might bring from home.  So, if you brown bag a Shaklee 180® Smoothee or Meal-in-a-Bar, well, that’s brown-bagging that’s good for both your waistline and the environment!

Tip No. 7 – Go paperless whenever possible. Pay bills online instead of having bills sent to your home. Estimates are that paperless billing in America would save nearly 19 million trees, 2.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide, and 1.7 billion pounds of solid waste every year. You can also take it a step further by cutting out junk mail.  Your friend the Internet can help you find a lot of great services online to help you get off mailing lists.  Here at Shaklee Headquarters, employees make a conscious effort to print less and scan more – which has done a lot to cut down on our paper consumption.

Tip No. 8 – Give back to the planet by planting.  Be sure to talk to your local garden center or nursery about the most eco-friendly options for your area. For example, here in California, we can still put our green thumbs to work in the backyard, but it’s best to make drought-friendly choices.  And remember tip No. 4 – to buy produce locally?  Well, what can you make for dinner that you planted and grew yourself?  There’s nothing more delicious than the satisfaction of harvesting your own salad!  If you don’t have room to plant at home, check with your local park service for volunteer opportunities, especially around Earth Day, or for a community garden space near you.  And one added bonus:  all that yard work is great exercise too!

Tip No. 9 – Walk or bike instead of driving whenever possible. Before you get in your car, ask yourself, “could this errand be combined with another trip later in the day or week?”  Or could you bike or walk someplace closer to home? Also, try committing to using public transportation at least once a week.  According to the EPA, leaving your car at home just two days a week can reduce your greenhouse gas emissions by an average of two tons per year.

Tip No. 10 – Green cleaning.  Too many cleaners contain harsh chemicals that are not good for you or the environment.  Some of those chemicals have been linked with a number of health issues.  So, do yourself and the environment a favor and swap those chemical cleaners for earth-friendly versions.  Naturally, our favorite recommendation for safe but powerful green cleaners – from household cleaners to dishwashing and laundry – can all be found in the Get Clean line-up from Shaklee.