5 steps to Saving/Preserving Trees

by Guest Writer

One single tree can produce up to 260 pounds of oxygen per year. The more we use paper products though, that number diminishes. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States alone uses 69 million tons of paper and cardboard per year. Let’s change this.

In honor of Earth Day and Arbor Day coming up, we want to share with you five simple and easy steps that can help save and preserve the trees!

Step 1: Bring your own mug to the coffee shop

If you’re constantly on the go, which most of us are, try bringing your own stainless steel mug into the coffee shop. If you buy coffee five days a week this cuts down five paper cups per week. That’s around 20 cups per month! Taking the time to sit down and have coffee with a friend? Make sure the shop knows the coffee is for there, that way you can use one of their reusable mugs.

Step 2: Use the hand drier in public restrooms

Use the hand drier in restrooms rather than using paper towels. No hand drier? Just let your hands air dry for a few minutes before you head out. Better yet carry some eco-friendly hand sanitizer with you. Plus, touching the paper towel dispenser distributes more germs anyways, right?

Step 3: Invest in a reusable lunch bag

Ditch the brown paper bag and find something that will make you excited to bring your lunch to school or work. Using a different paper bag each day you bring lunch to work is a waste. Plus, they now make reusable lunch bags that are insulated. No more warm sandwiches!

Step 4: Use recycled toilet paper

It may not look the most appealing, but hey, it works. Look for an eco-friendly recycled toilet paper in your grocery store (you can’t miss it, it’s brown). The average person uses around 57 sheets of toilet paper per day. So, give the recycled paper a try.

Step 5: Plant a tree

While all the previous steps are a great way to help save trees, why not plant a tree as well? Stores like Lowes and Home Depot often have trees in their gardening sections. Better yet get involved in a tree-planting group for Arbor Day! Join a few friends and plant several trees in your local parks (if it’s permitted).

Trees are disappearing right before our eyes, but we have the power to stop it. Use #savethetrees and tag eco18 on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram to show us what you’re doing to save the trees!

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