In the past decade, there has been a recent surge of compassion for the environment. Many people are beginning to realize how much of a negative impact their daily lives have on the environment. In case you weren't aware the average person has about four pounds of trash per day and American's make up only 5% of the world population and produce a startling 40% of the world's waste. If you care about the environment, here are some smalls changes you can make that will have a big impact!

1. Buy a reusable water bottle

I absolutely love refillable water bottles because they are cheap and the best way to stay hydrated anywhere. You can find them almost anywhere from CVS, to Target, and millions online. They range in price from thin plastic costing only a dollar or two to more durable stainless steel from about $7 and up!

2. Buy a reusable coffee or tea mug

Most adults drink coffee and/or tea on a regular basis so skip the plastic or styrofoam cup that will take up space in a landfill and opt for something that will actually keep your drink hot or cold. There are a variety of different types of mugs that can be found at almost any store. As an avid coffee addict, I love my stainless steel Ibex mug as it keeps drinks cold for 72 hours!

3. Reusable food wrap

When wrapping snacks or leftovers for on the go opt for reusable beeswax wraps instead of plastic baggies, plastic wrap, or tinfoil. Although initially, the reusable wraps cost more long-term they will save money and reduce the amount of plastic waste you contribute. You can also find plenty of DIY reusable beeswax wraps.

4. Reusable food containers

Although most people probably have some type of containers for food at their house remember to use them even for things like sandwiches rather than disposable containers. I also really love glass containers because they are convenient if you want to heat up something in a microwave because you can simply just pop the lid off and its ready to go no need for a plate!

5. Skip plastic utensils

When packing a lunch or grabbing take out say no to wasteful plastic cutlery and opt for your own utensils from your kitchen or this little kits are a great option for someone on the go! I know personally, the point of getting takeout is to avoid dishes but utensils take virtually no time to wash.

6. Biodegradable toothbrushes

Toothbrushes are supposed to be changed every three to four months, so this 4-pack should have you set for an entire year! These toothbrushes cost $15 on Amazon with free shipping for Prime members. They often come with charcoal which is an all-natural teeth whitener that will help your teeth stay pearly white.

7.Reusable bags

Reusable shopping bags are a simple alternative to plastic shopping bags. I find that they are more durable and fit more so its actually easier to load fewer bags into the car and carry them inside. The durability also means no more ripped bags from sharp edges or heavy contents. Another great thing about reusable bags is you can get cooler bags so your cold food can stay that way even on the hottest of summer days and they can double as a mini cooler for the beach! Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and Homegoods also sell large reusable bags which I have used to pack clothes and other goods when moving in and out of college.

9. Reduce food waste

Try to limit the amount of food you throw out by keeping a log of what you throw out each week to help you better understand the right amount of perishable foods that is right for your household. If food does go bad before you have the chance to enjoy it try composting it in your garden. If you have a lot of excess food from a party you can even see if you can donate to a local soup kitchen. Another way to limit food waste is to be aware of expiration dates vs. best by or sell-by dates because you may be throwing out good food with this simple mix up.

10. Grown your own food

If you have a yard or deck growing your own food is a great eco-friendly way to get fruits and vegetables. Not only will this save you lots of money it's also a great hobby. Imagine the pride you could feel while eating strawberries you grew instead of paying $4 for them at the store! For some great gardening ideas check out these easy steps for making a zero waste fruit garden.

11. Reduce driving

Reduce the amount of time you spend driving by combining errands such as trying to visit multiple stores in the same plaza or close by to one another. You can also limit driving by carpooling with friends, family, or neighbors when traveling. If you have to run a quick errand such as picking up a prescription at your local pharmacy or running to the convenience store for one or two items skip the drive and walk or bike instead!

This is by no means an inclusive list of small changes you can make in your daily life that will benefit the environment but these are a few ideas to get you started. The internet is full of great ideas and you may even be able to come up with some of your own! If you can afford to choose products with eco-friendly packaging or shop at stores like Package Free. If more people made these little changes together we could make an enormous impact on the environment. Please share these list with friends and adopt as many changes as you can!