Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Karen Cole, Founder & Editor-in-Chief of online magazine HealthBenefitAdmin.

The rapid growth of industries and the ever-increasing population of the world have taken a toll on the environment. The environment is greatly being affected by the wasteful way of human life. Human activities are causing an irreparable damage to the environment. If we continue to generate waste on such a large scale, then the earth will be polluted to a level beyond repair. What needs to be done is to resort to an eco-friendly way of living.

We as individuals can — and should — give our own little contributions to the environment. These individual contributions really can add up and make a difference.

Every individual needs to reduce their own carbon footprint and consequently affect the environment in a positive way. If each one of us makes some efforts to reduce our personal waste and analyze the effects our actions have on the environment, then a change can easily be reached.

Here are a few steps that we can take on our personal level to make an eco-friendly environment:

1. Be more mindful of your actions

Your actions can greatly affect the environment. If you want to lead an eco-friendly lifestyle, you should be aware of your own actions and understand how your actions can negatively affect the environment. You need to think and analyze how you can resort to more environmentally friendly activities and consequently, you will see the difference. For instance, when moving to a new place, make sure you hire professionals that do everything from loading to storage to moving according to all eco-friendly standards.

2. Borrow, don’t buy

Try not to buy brand new items every time you need something. You can borrow things you require from your friends or even buy second-hand products. For example, if you are willing to read a novel, try contacting your friends or look for it in the local library. Your little actions can cause a great positive impact on the environment.

3. Plant more trees

Whenever you get an opportunity, consider planting a tree. Trees release oxygen into the atmosphere and produce fresh air. They make the environment cool, reducing the rising effects of global warming and the carbon footprints too.

4. Use (and reuse) cloth bags

When going to buy grocery, use cloth bags instead of paper or plastic bags. The paper bags, though environmentally friendly, are made from trees and consequently harm the earth. Wash and reuse the same cloth bags every time you go shopping and save the trees.

5. Carpool!

This old and rather underestimated technique of saving the environment can actually prove to be very effective and influential. Whenever you need to go to the office or head out to a party, plan ahead with co-workers or friends. This way you will not only save the environment but will also cut your fuel costs!

For ride-sharing and carpool opportunities, try Waze Carpool or listing sites like CarpoolWorld.com.

6. Try backyard farming

If you live in a regular home with an under-utilized yard area, consider putting your free space to a greater cause: Your own backyard garden!

You can grow a variety of vegetables in your personalized garden. This technique is called backyard farming and it is a very efficient way to cut the grocery costs as well as to keep the environment protected. (Who needs farm-to-table when you can have backyard-to-table?)

Here’s a YouTube video to help you get your garden planned and started:

7. Resort to environmentally friendly alternatives

Every time you buy something, try resorting to an environmentally friendly alternative. For example, buy CFLs instead of the regular tube lights and bulbs. Although a higher initial investment needs to be made, the CFL lights will cut the costs to a much greater extent in the long run and save the energy too.

These are a few ways to let you make an eco-friendly environment. With a few precautions and changes on your part, you will be able to make a much greater contribution to the environment. And all this does not require much. Just a little bit from every individual and see what you can do!