How to be Green During Quarantine

 While things remain uncertain and disorderly during this time, people are staying secluded in their homes in order to stay safe. While staying safe is the most important priority, it may be detrimental to the environment as we are using much more resources through domestic use like electricity and extra waste. So, while staying safe at home, here are some helpful tips to be eco-friendly during isolation!

• It may be difficult, especially because we are bored and it seems like social media, video games, and TV are taking over our lives right now, but it is so important to turn those off every once in a while, especially at night. Take time to read a book about conservation instead!

 

• Staying at home all the time can also cause you to produce more household waste. You may be using more paper towels, plastic silverware, etc. Try using some reusable materials. In addition, it is a great time to try cooking and baking rather than buying processed groceries with plastic wrappings that just get thrown away. Making meals using less packaged foods can contribute to a lot less waste!

Bloomington residents also have the great opportunity to sign up for composting curbside pickup through Green Camino Compost. Participation in this program gets you buckets and bags for compost, instruction guides, and more. Instead of throwing food scraps and many other products (even cotton balls!) away, you can reduce your at-home-waste and help the recovery of organic waste through composting.

• Though it is getting hotter as summer is around the corner, blasting the AC is another energy consumer because people are staying in their homes most of the day. Some tips for this include drawing curtains and closing blinds to prevent lots of sunlight and heat getting in, opening windows or screen doors, and staying hydrated!
• And if you are still bored...this is a great time to declutter your home and get rid of some junk (in the proper way of course). For Bloomington residents, the Recycling Center is able to take in and properly dispose of many hazardous materials that have likely been sitting in your house for years. These include batteries, some unused pharmaceuticals, light bulbs, and much more. 

There are a lot of ways to stay sanitary but stay green during this time, too. Stay safe and practice social distancing…we at the MCSWCD are thinking of you!