Saving the planet is the thing to do right now...and honestly, it's about time. If you find yourself wanting to jump on the eco-friendly bandwagon there are easy ways to be more eco friendly in everyday life.

Making your life more environmentally friendly is a great way to do your part. There is no planet B and even the smallest steps can make a difference.

We came up with 5 simple ways to be more eco-friendly, without a lot of effort. This way you can adapt to a more sustainable way of living while helping the environment.

Disclosure: Links throughout the Mindful Nomadics site may make us a small commission at no additional cost to you. See our Affiliate Disclosure for more information.

No Straws

It's time to say no to straws. They aren't necessary and their environmental impact is very negative.

You've probably seen some very sad pictures of turtles whose lives have been forever changed all because of straw waste. Try drinking straight from the glass from here on out.

This is also a good time to go straw-less as society is already trending in this direction. Some places are offering lids now that don't require a straw. Other restaurants are not even offering straws unless requested first.

If going straw-less is just too much for you at least try for a more sustainable option. Metal straws are currently all the rage with millennials (spoiler, we are millennials) and there are plenty of cheap options that are easily folded down. Paper straws are also an option and make for cute Instagram pictures anyway.

Reusable Bags

A very easy way to limit your plastic use is by using reusable bags when shopping. Most people go shopping every week between buying groceries and also buying clothes and other items.

This adds up to a lot of waste very quickly, especially when it comes to grocery shopping as a lot of people end up using a lot, and we do mean A LOT, of bags.

To reduce your waste production start bring reusable bags every time you go shopping. We have these cloth bags that fold up easily. This way you can always store some in the car and don't have to worry about forgetting them.

Even if you end up needing more bags while shopping, having even one reusable bag still reduces your waste overall. Don't worry if on one trip you forget your bags because again, even using reusable bags, one time reduces your overall plastic bag consumption.

Buy Used

Buying used is one of our favorite ways to help the environment because it also helps our finances. The main idea behind buying used helping the environment is very simple: Instead of creating more, let's use what's already taking up space.

Switching to used options does not mean less quality. You can find options that look almost new, and at times can find things never used but bought and forgotten. Buying used can also lead to saving money.

Kelsey LOVES thrift shopping and finding great items is also like her sport. However, if thrifting isn't for you there are plenty of other options. With current technology, you can easily shop used without even leaving your house.

There are sites for high quality previously owned clothes and of course places like eBay and Craigslist. If you are obsessed with using Amazon, like us, then look into selecting a previously owned option.

BYOC

Bring Your Own Cup (BYOC)...get it? Bringing some type of cup, water bottle, or coffee mug is a simple way to use less waste and be eco-friendly. You probably already have these items that you use at home so all you have to do is bring it with you when you leave the house.

If you drink a lot of water during the day then bring a reusable water bottle to simply fill up. If you are more of a coffee lover then bring a travel mug around with you. Some coffee shops will even give a small discount for bringing your own cup.

Eco-Friendly Brands

When shopping for typical purchases, try an option from companies that make an effort to be eco-friendly. Eco-friendly companies try reducing their overall carbon footprint through more eco-friendly manufacturing operations or giving back to the environment through donations.

Consumers play a big part in trends and how companies operate. Buying from eco-friendly brands helps the shift for more big companies with a huge carbon footprint to also being more environmentally conscious.

You can spend some time researching the best eco-friendly companies but more advertise right on their product. Or at the very least mention it in the commercial advertising.

We like using the Bead and Reel site because it puts together approved ethical brands into one location. It makes shopping easier and has a lot of variety including home, beauty, and fashion.

These five steps are easy changes to be more eco-friendly without having to put in too much effort. Now you have fewer excuses and more ways to start saving the planet.