While everyone has their own reasons for volunteering, the main motivating factor is usually the same—the desire to make a positive impact. One of the most holistic ways to change the world is by ensuring that whatever volunteering activity you choose to participate in is environmentally conscious. Even if you don’t choose to directly volunteer with a green organization, there are plenty of ways to lessen your carbon footprint while volunteering. If you’re looking for some inspiration, here are a few tips on how to be an eco-friendly volunteer:
1. Find an environmentally responsible organization.
When you’re shopping for your newest volunteering endeavor, investigate an organization’s history of social responsibility. Does it recycle? Does it detail its green message on its website? Or is it just a green-washer? (Green-washing refers to the act of giving lip service to environmentally conscious ideals without actually practicing eco-friendliness.) Talk to current employees and past volunteers to learn how responsible the organization truly is.
2. Grab friends, go green
Eco-friendly volunteering can be as simple as getting a group of concerned citizens together and spending a Saturday afternoon cleaning up the streets of your city. Put on your leader hat and recruit some of your most fun friends to find a spot in your community that could use less litter and more love. Turn it into a monthly (or even weekly) event and watch new volunteers join in.
3. Be a responsible citizen.
Volunteering doesn’t always mean finding an organization you admire and spending an hour there every week. A great way to contribute is to start small. If your building or home doesn’t recycle, organize a recycling program. If there are no recycling bins on the streets of your city, call elected officials, start a petition, and demand them. Think of unconventional steps you can take that will encourage a green movement in your community. (Then submit your green idea to The Green Awards, where you can share your brilliant ideas and have a chance to win $25,000!)
4. Take a voluntourism vacation.
Turning into a raisin on the beach can be cool, but after awhile it gets pretty darn boring. Why not incorporate some eco-friendly volunteering into your vacation? From restoring coral reefs to saving bottlenose dolphins and sea turtles, there are plenty of environmental volunteering opportunities in almost every vacation destination.
5. Offset your carbon emissions.
Whether you’re a business or an individual, you can easily find out your carbon footprint. Visit Carbonfund.org to calculate your emissions and donate funds (or encourage the organization you’re working for to donate funds) to counterbalance the environmental impact of your volunteering.
6. Greenify your life.
Think about ways you can make the time you spend volunteering have a smaller impact on the environment. Ditch the car and walk, ride a bike, or use public transportation to get there. If you’re bringing a lunch, pack it in reusable containers. When printing documents, use both sides of the paper. Set your computer so it goes to sleep when you’re away. Your green actions will encourage others at your organization to do the same.
7. Spread the word.
Oftentimes all a cause needs is some awareness. If you see an environmental threat looming or are working with an inspiring organization, tell your friends, both in real life and on Facebook and Twitter. If people know more about issues, they’ll be more motivated to get involved. Sometimes the best way to volunteer is to just be an advocate for a cause you believe in.