As a longtime resident of Miami Beach, I’ve started taking more conscious measures to protect and conserve the beautiful environment that we live in. Being more sustainable is all about creating long-term practices that are better and healthier for individuals, societies and the planet as a whole.

Below are a few everyday tips that will help keep Miami Beach clean, healthy and vibrant. By doing your part, not only will you lessen the impact you have on the environment, but your life will also be healthier and even less costly!

Tip #1: Reduce Consumption – With population growth increasing exponentially, the amount of aggregate waste is becoming a huge problem. The most basic way to generate less waste is simply to consume less stuff. That means thinking clearly before you make a purchase. Ask yourself – do I really need this? Plastic, in the form of shopping bags or water bottles, is something that can be easily substituted with reusable shopping bags and glass or metal water bottles. You’ll be surprised how many impulse buys you’ll be able to save by being more mindful of your actions and planning ahead.

Tip #2: Reuse and Recycle – While living a zero-waste lifestyle has been proven possible, it’s still far from conventional. So it’s very important to buy products that have various life-cycles instead of single-use or disposables. Miami Beach law now requires its residents to recycle, so try to have a separate bin to dispose of plastic, paper, glass and metal containers. In addition, buy recycled products like paper towels or toilet paper (available at Publix, CVS, and Whole Foods) in an effort to support the recycled product market.

Tip #3: Power Off – Conserving energy is as simple as turning off the lights when you’re not in the room, switching to LED lightbulbs, investing in Energy Star appliances and unplugging appliances since they still consume energy even when they’re turned off. By saving energy, you’re not only helping the planet, but you’re also helping your wallet! Danny Hertzberg, my son who is also a member of The Jills team, is a strong proponent of smart home technologies that increase efficiency. Smart homes make it even easier to control energy use, such as lighting and A/C, by turning them off when you’re not home, all through the touch of a button. It’s incredible how modifying a few habits can make a world of difference!

Tip #4: Walk, Bike, or Drive an Electric Car – In a continued effort to limit the amount of fossil fuels that we use, I recommend trying out alternative methods of transportation. If you prefer the autonomy that using public transportation lacks, there are still other options available to you. When the commute is short, try walking. If it’s a little longer, try biking. Both are great for the planet and they’re also great for your physical and mental health. If you’re looking to buy a new car, consider buying electric. There’s the Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf, BMW i3 and the Tesla – which I actually invested in earlier this year and couldn’t be happier with my decision to go electric.

Tip #5: Shop Smart – Whether you’re buying food at a grocery store or cleaning products for your home, always opt for non-toxic alternatives. As far as food goes, try buying local and organic products as it means they’re free from toxic chemicals, GMOs, antibiotics and growth hormones. Both organic and local foods are much healthier for you and the for the planet, and they even taste better! When buying cleaning products, look for natural or eco-friendly labels and avoid harsh chemicals. You’ll be surprised at all the new products out there that are making sustainability convenient and affordable.

Tip #6: Meatless Mondays – Speaking of food, did you know that eating a vegan diet is arguably one of the best thing you could do for the environment? By sticking to a plant-based diet, your food is produced using much less water and energy than livestock and emits significantly less pollution. It’s also great for your health and is very rich in nutrients. Try going vegan one day a week, on Mondays, and you’ll see how incredible you feel and how delicious vegan food can actually be.

Tip #7: Start Gardening – One of the greenest things you can do for your home is to plant trees in your garden. Stick to landscaping with native plants, as not only are they more likely to flourish, but they will also create beautiful habitats for local birds, butterflies and other natural wildlife. If you like to garden, try growing your own food or if you’ve never tried it, start off growing herbs – both are much more economical and delicious than buying at grocery stores. Either way, simply adding plants to the planet is helping reverse climate change!

Thank you for reading! If you are ever in South Florida – be sure to contact me (Jill Hertzberg) for your real estate buying and selling needs.

The smart home shown above can be found at www.thejills.com/Miami-Beach-mls-listing/A10046326.htm