Combine errands to reduce your emissions from driving. Sure, this will take some planning, but that planning will not just reduce your emissions, but will also save you money spent on fuel as well as time. In addition, fuel economy is actually worse when your engine is cold, making it even more beneficial to combine errands.
To make this happen, remember that lists are your friends - by simply keeping shopping lists in a general location in your household, you will be able to streamline your entire shopping process. Meal planning for the week will also help eliminate multiple trips to the grocery store throughout the week. Consider choosing one day of the week as the designated “errand day” and carve out enough time to accomplish all your errands. Or consider running errands while you are already out and about at the gym, after a school drop off, or on your way back from an appointment.
Another tip for reducing your personal carbon emissions is to try to stay local for your errands. If you are interested in a new experience, perhaps a new way to transport to an old place will be just as exciting as trying a new place. For example, walking or bike riding to that local destination might change the experience all together.
Have you evolved away from running errands and become incredibly reliant on delivery? As we discussed in Week 22, lists will help you reduce emissions here as well. Instead of ordering items online as soon as the thought pops into your head, keep a list and order more items at once so you can choose the option to combine shipments to reduce packaging and emissions from the delivery trucks. Sometimes we need things asap, but often times it can wait.
A little planning can go a long way when it comes to protecting the environment!
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