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51 Environmentally Friendly Hobbies That Make the World a Better Place

51 Environmentally Friendly Hobbies That Make The World A Better Place

One thing life has taught us is that we cannot take anything for granted. Still, many of us do not add the environment to the list. Whether it is because we are too busy with our lives or because we feel others are fighting for the noble cause, we don’t put enough effort into protecting the environment. 

What can I do? How will a single person’s contribution make any difference? These are the questions that come to the mind of the people. Well, the global movement to protect the environment started because there was someone who talked about it and did something, isn’t it? 

Why can’t we do the same? It doesn’t have to be anything major. Small changes, new habits, engaging and creative hobbies, and a conscious approach to living are good ways to give back to Nature. We’ve listed 51 environment friendly hobbies for people who are trying to make the world a better place. 

A hobby is something fun, creative, relaxing, and vital to you. It’s not what you take up when you are bored. Instead, it’s what you do as a part of your life. Carefully developed hobbies can enrich our lives in many ways. They can also add value to the world we live in. 

Shall we check out some wonderfully earthy and green hobbies for you to try? 

Gardening- Try All or Pick One

gardening hobby

1. Start an Herb Garden

Gardening has to be the first eco friendly hobby, isn’t it? If you don’t have a green thumb, start on a small scale. Herb garden doesn’t have to be extensive or exotic. Basil, lemongrass, rosemary, thyme, chives, mint, cilantro, etc. can be grown in pots or small boxes in limited spaces.

A little water every day will keep them alive and ready to be used when you cook. There is nothing comparable to the fresh herbs to add flavor to the dish, right?

2. Make Your Compost

This doesn’t sound fun, does it? But going eco-friendly means, you have got to stop using pesticides and chemicals. How will your garden yield a good crop without fertilizers? So buy a compost pot and add the vegetable and fruit scraps to it. Let it rot and turn into fertilizer.

Also, use manure instead of chemicals. This way, you will not just grow the organic crop but will also turn your home into a zero-waste zone.

3. Grow Fruits and Vegetables

Why limit yourself to herbs? Start growing seasonal vegetables and fruits based on climatic conditions in your region. These are tricky, so do your research. Talk to farmers in the farmer market, join clubs, read online journals, and check out the library for related books.

Making a meal using vegetables from your kitchen garden is highly satisfying, isn’t it? Tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, garlic, carrots, leeks, peas, etc. are some vegetables you can start with.

4. Pots Also Count

Yes, we know that everyone doesn’t have a big yard to convert into a garden. Those who live in apartments often wonder how they can take up gardening. The answer is simple. Make use of pots and grow smaller plants.

Be it decorative plants, tiny flowers, or succulents (if everything else fails), choose what you like, and add greenery to your home. Place the flowerpots on windowsills, place them on kitchen counters, or use them as entrance decorators. There are special plants that grow without sunlight. Try them too.

5. Let the Flowers Bloom

If you are a fan of the spring, flowers are a must in your garden. Flowering plants attract bees, birds, and insects. While some insects cause harm, others like bees and caterpillars, are essential for the environment to exist. Your colorful and fragrant flowers will add life to your place and keep the tiny animals/ birds alive at the same time.

Knitting- Crochet to Your Heart’s Content

knitting hobby

6. Take out the Knitting Needles

Let us revisit the days when you used to watch your mother or grandmother knit? Can you imagine the sound of the needles clicking against each other as you read this? Knitting is not just an eco-friendly hobby. It can also become a great source of income over time. Knitting is creative and relaxing at the same time.

Take out your granny’s cherished set or buy a secondhand one from the local market. You can learn from books or websites for free, and then you can join paid classes if required.

7. Quilting and Embroidery

If wool isn’t your thing, try something different. Quilts are a great way to make use of old fabric. Create fuzzy and warm blankets for your loved ones. Turn to needlework and showcase your embroidery skills.

Start small and stitch tiny designs on kerchiefs and napkins. Look up YouTube videos to learn the basics. You’ll only need to buy the wooden frame to fix the cloth. Moreover, it can be easily found in local stores.

8. Spin Yarn from Raw Wool

Wool is natural and can be recycled. You can use raw wool to spin yarn and make garments or sell the yarn to make money. You will need a spinning wheel to pursue this hobby. Invest in a secondhand wheel rather than buying a new one. You can search for one on eCommerce marketplaces. But try the local stores first. Always.

9. Dye Yarn at Home

Dyeing yarn, such as cotton, wool, silk, and linen is not that hard. All you need to do is use food-based ingredients to give interesting colors to the yarn. Leftover purple cabbage scraps, avocado pits with shells, sage leaves, etc. can be used to add color to the yarn. Check out videos on the internet to get the basic idea. Start mixing up ingredients to create unique colors and patterns on the yarn. Patience is another thing you’ll need for this.

10. Start a Knitting Club

No matter you are a beginner or a pro, a knitting club is a great way to bring like-minded people together. Discuss ideas, learn from one another, and spend quality time. You can also find a way to promote your cause by organizing giveaways and free knitting lessons on your club’s behalf.

Cooking- Food Experiments are Fun

cooking hobby

11. Cook with Vegan Ingredients

Do you know that meat consumption, especially beef, is one of the causes of global warming? Yes. But, thankfully, you can change your eating choices anytime. It’s quite easy to find vegan products in the local markets these days. Instead of ordering vegan food from outside, try cooking at home.

Even if you can’t completely go vegan, you surely can reduce the frequency of meat consumption. Add more vegetarian dishes to your daily diet. Replace dairy products with non-dairy products.

12. Make Non-dairy Milk at Home

Turning vegan requires you to shift to non-dairy products. Buying non-dairy milk is expensive. And if you fail to consume it before the expiry date, you’ll end up throwing it away.

Do you know you can make non-dairy milk at home using soy or nuts? You can even make oats milk at home. You can manage the quantities as per your needs if you make it at home. Also, you’ll have the satisfaction of consuming something you’ve made.

13. It’s Pickling Season

Pickling isn’t something new. It has been a way of preserving food items for centuries. Each region follows a different method based on climatic conditions. If you end up growing excess crop or buy in bulk from the farmers’ market, use pickling produce. From soaking in vinegar to making sauces, jams, and preserves, make the most of seasonal produce, without using artificial preservatives.

14. Brew Beer at Home

Hello beer lovers, we’ve got something for you as well. Brewing beer at home is cheaper, environment-friendly, and also easy. You will need to invest in a few items such as glass bottles, but you can reuse them as many times as possible.

Awe your friends and family and encourage them to do the same. Maybe you can all come together and sell some of the beer and donate the amount for a noble cause.

Upcycling is Trendy

upcycling hobby

15. Reuse Old Furniture

New furniture requires new raw materials such as wood, which comes from the trees. Why not make the most of the old furniture before you dispose it? Repair old furniture. Fix broken legs or arms of chair, tables, and stools. Scrap away the faded paint and add a fresh coat using non-toxic paints.

So what if you don’t have any old furniture? You can buy some from secondhand stores and repair them for your personal use. It’s also a good way to flex your muscles.

16. New Dresses from Old Dresses

Do you have dresses that are no longer in fashion? Are you thinking of throwing them away? Wait a minute. Take out the sewing machine, scissors, and sit. Pick the dresses you don’t want to wear anymore.

Mix and match the colors, cut, stitch, and create new dresses from the old ones. Let your imagination and creativity work magic on the cloth. Who knows? You might have a fashion designer hiding within you.

17. Craft Jewelry from Leftovers

There is nothing useless in this world. Tiny stones, marbles, pieces of uneven wood, strips of metal, and even old newspapers can be used to craft something intriguing and exciting.

The latest jewelry designs are proof of this. Check the interest for ways to convert leftover bits and pieces into trendy jewelry. With a little investment and some patience, you can start an all-new jewelry range that is environment-friendly.

18. Recycle Trash- Cans & Bottles are Useful

Plastic and glass bottles, beer cans, and cardboard boxes can be used in many ways. You don’t have to throw them away. Let your creativity flow. Make tiny hangings and flowerpots using these waste materials. Decorate your home with leftover pieces of wood or glass. Craft gift items and give them to your loved ones.

19. Learn Repair Work

It’s time we got rid of this habit of throwing away things because they stopped working. Learn how to repair a gadget. Learn how to study a circuit and identify what went wrong. Instead of throwing away something, try to repair it. At least, separate the components that are still working and use them elsewhere. Reduce electronic waste.

20. Scrapbooks & Greeting cards can be Eco-friendly

You don’t have to buy greeting cards for special occasions. Make a card at home using old cards, leftover art paper, glitter, lace, etc. Teach your kids to make their own greeting cards for friends and family. Create scrapbooks using paper cuttings from old books and magazines. If crafting is not your thing, send an e-card. That’s cool too.

21. Handicrafts from Used Materials

Create toys and showpieces using old junk. Broken ceramic plates, broken pots, stained glass bottles, etc. can be converted to showpieces and used for decorating the home or office. Why don’t you learn pottery if you want to try something different. It’s a wonderful form of art that allows you to hold the earth in your hands and mold it into various shapes.

Time to Hit Outdoors

outdoor hobby

22. Take your Gym Outdoors

The indoor gym uses electricity. Why not exercise outdoors? You can jog in the parks, exercise and do yoga under the sun, go for a run, and use the playground equipment for weightlifting, etc. Soak up Vitamin D, breathe fresh air, and tune your inner self to sync with Nature.

23. Go Walking

If exercising in public makes you awkward, simply go walking. Some people prefer to walk rather than use a vehicle. If that’s not possible, set aside an hour each day and walk through the parks or streets. This will help you stay fit, meet new people, and build friendships, and find more ways to save the environment.

24. Use a Cycle

Cycling is another way to stay fit and reduce the consumption of nonrenewable resources. You can cycle to work, nearby stores, libraries, or just cycle for fun every evening. You will also save money spent on fuel or public transport. Even when you travel to other places, rent a bike and cycle through the place instead of hiring a cab.

25. Plan a Hiking Trip

Going on an adventure to spend time with Nature is one of the best hobbies. Whether you prefer to go alone or plan a trip with your gang of friends, hiking is energizing and rejuvenating. You can also do your bit to the environment by picking up the trash that’s scattered throughout the trail by other hikers.

26. Marathon for a Noble Cause

You can participate in running marathons that are usually organized for various noble causes. Marathon running requires a lot of effort and training. It’s a way to stay fit and do your bit for society and the environment.

27. Take up Photography

Photography, especially Nature and Wildlife photography, show the world the beauty of our environment we so often miss. Become a photographer to inspire others in understanding and protecting nature. Keep your photos digital to reduce the use of harsh chemicals required for printing.

28. Bird Watching

A book about birds, binoculars, and loads of patience- that’s what you need to become a bird watcher. Of course, you need birds, and they can be found in abundance in the woods and conservatories. Study the habits of each species and teach your kids to respect and cherish them.

29. Become a Bee Keeper

Had the bees to go extinct, we wouldn’t last for long afterward. It’s our responsibility to make sure bees live and thrive. Take up beekeeping and use organic honey at home. If you have a good garden, you’ll see it flourish as bees pollinate the flowers. Research is a must before you start beekeeping. Yes, thsi job is not easy, but it is definitely worth the effort.

Volunteer for the Environment

volunteering hobby

30. Join the River Cleanup Team

Rivers are hardly clean these days. There is so much trash settling at the bottom of the rivers and harming aquatic life. Join the local river cleaning teams and do your bit for the environment. Some of us may stop using plastic, but others are still using it. Also, there’s enough plastic on this earth to ruin water bodies. It’s time to clean them one by one.

31. Beaches Need Cleaning Too

It’s the same with beaches. Do you get appalled by the amount of trash found on the once-pristine beaches? Remember those videos about plastic straws killing tortoises? Let’s make sure such incidents don’t happen. Volunteer to clean beaches in your area whenever you can.

32. Pick Up Trash in Your Area

Bottles, plastic waste, and such stuff can be found in unexpected places. Irrespective of where you live or have gone camping, if you find trash, pick it up, and dispose it at the nearby recycling center. Make sure you take safety precautions such as wearing gloves and mask when picking up trash.

33. Build Eco-friends Structures

Eco-brick is a concept in which plastic is used as bricks to build houses or centers. Do some research to read more about eco-bricks and find out if there is any team or organization in your area that’s into building such structures. Join their team and help them use plastic for something good.

34. Volunteer at Shelter Homes

There’s bound to be at least one shelter home in your area. Be it for animals, women, children, or seniors, volunteer your time every week. Talk to them, help with taking animals for a walk, providing groceries or medicines to those in need, donate things you don’t require, and so on.

You will be doing your bit to the environment by staying off electronic gadgets during this time while giving them their much-deserved happiness.

Become an Influencer

influencer hobby

35. Start a Blog to Educate Others

Having a hobby isn’t going to be enough. Make the most of it. Make the world know about your work and inspire others to join the trend. Write a blog about your eco-friendly hobbies, your experiences, and how they changed your life for the better. Make sure the blog is regularly updated.

36. Share Eco-friendly Tips on YouTube

DIYs videos, cooking tips, crafting tutorials, and whatnot can be shared on YouTube. Depending on your field of expertise (related to being eco-friendly), create a channel, and spread the knowledge. Tell your friends and family to share tips or just share your videos. The aim is to increase awareness about caring for the environment in people and make them responsible.

37. Podcasting is Equally Fulfilling

Not all of us want to face the camera, we know! If you are one of them, try podcasts instead. Let your voice reach out to people and convince them to show some care towards the environment we are living in. Check out the internet for ways to create and share podcasts for free.

38. Use Social Media to Promote Zero Waste

Yes, we should limit our dependence on electronic gadgets that harm the environment. But we can still use them wisely to spread awareness. Start pages on social media. Connect with like-minded people. Trend hashtags and create online signature campaigns. Tag local politicians and celebrities to help promote the cause.

39. Build a Local Team

Focus on creating an offline team as well. Form a club to educate others. Make sure to include people of all age groups in your club. Kids should essentially be taught to be responsible so that they can grow us to be mature and sensible citizens.

40. Become a part of Eco-friendly Campaigns (Online & Offline)

If you don’t have the reach to start a campaign on your own, become a part of the existing ones. It is not that you need to always be a leader to inspire. A follower is equally responsible and can inspire other followers. Your aim should be to make the world a better place. Being a part of a team will make your job more manageable and effective.

41. Create Eco-friendly Apps

Yep, you can build eco-friendly apps. These apps will help people become aware of the damage they are causing to the environment and guide them in minimizing the harm. Technology has its uses when used the right way, isn’t it? Don’t fret if you don’t know the programming language. Some platforms help you create apps without using any code. Try them.

Be Conscious When Traveling

traveling eco friendly hobby

42. Use Public Transport

Instead of using your car to drive alone to work, hop over, and use public transport. When traveling, try to take a train or bus rather than flying. While all of these vehicles emit harmful gases, the car, bus, or train emissions are much less compared to a plane. Turn your traveling hobby into an eco-friendly traveling hobby.

43. Travel Light- Buy Local

Don’t carry too many items with you. If you carry a water bottle, refill it when you can instead of buying another and throwing it away. Also, buy local produce during travel. You don’t have to use too many plastic and takeaway boxes this way. Eat at the restaurant or diner instead of taking a parcel.

44. Promote Zero Waste

Wouldn’t it be nice if your travels helped and educated others as well as you? Observe the local conditions and talk to people. Explain bout the importance of zero-waste. Be yourself an example of how to keep the surroundings clean and dispose of waste. Don’t leave a carbon footprint. Share knowledge and good habits instead.

Other Hobbies

hobby

45. Wash Your Vehicles

Well, it is more of a chore, but you can call it a hobby. Rather than take the car to a car wash center, do it yourself. And that doesn’t mean you let the water pipe run with full force for minutes. Take a bucket of water, a sponge, or a soft cloth and wipe all over the surface of the car.

Use the water pipe only if necessary. You get to do your own work, save money, and also reduce water usage. You also teach others to be responsible, not by lecturing, but by showing how it’s done.

46. Try Painting (Use Non-toxic Paints)

How many of us wanted to be artists and painters as children? How many of us achieved our dreams? With busy routines taking over, we almost forgot the creative side of life, didn’t we?

Don’t you think it’s time you picked up the paints again? Of course, this time, they would be natural colors made from plant extracts. Try graffiti, wall art, canvas, or any other form of painting that makes you happy. Also, you can use your art to promote the special cause, right?

47. Learn a New Language

Languages are fun, aren’t they? Why restrict ourselves to learning only 2 or 3? Learning new languages opens up the doors to new opportunities. You get to meet and talk to people from other counties and exchange ideas.

You can get authentic information about the methods followed by other countries to protect the environment. Listening, reading, and writing in new languages might even be beneficial for your job.

48. Become a Bookworm

Let’s not get into the debate about physical books vs. kindle. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Pick both or whichever you like. Old and worn-out paperbacks hardly harm a new tree, right? Start reading books.

If you are already a reader, expand your genres. Read nonfiction, read about the environment, and read how we can help the earth stay green. Invite your friends to read with you. Start a book club to discuss eco-friendly theories and concepts.

49. Make Soaps and Shampoos at Home

Many hobbies talk about DIY, don’t they? Isn’t that what hobbies are all about? As an environment-conscious person, you would prefer to use products that are vegan, cruelty-free, and safe, right? You sure can buy from small businesses and help them. But you can also make your own products at home.

This allows you to mix flavors and create unique ones you prefer. Make your own skincare products at home using organic and vegan, chemical-free ingredients.

50. Go Offline- Depend Less on Electronic Gadgets

This hobby is quite simple. Or it could be the toughest one. The idea here is to log out of your accounts and get off the internet for a while (that includes TV, PlayStation, etc.). Do it for one hour every day, and think of the energy you will be saving.

What you do in this hour is your choice. Maybe you can take the much-required nap and wake up energized. Going offline also means turning off electrical appliances. No AC, no fan, no light. You only need to keep your windows open and let the cool breeze enter your home.

51. Become One with Nature

Are you Nature’s child? Do you feel your heart skips a beat when you spot a blooming flower? Do you love the scent of fresh grass? Do you prefer the rolling hills of the countryside to the busy crowded streets of the city?

Some of you would be smiling at this. You are already one with nature. Others, there’s no need to be sad. You can become one too. You just have to let nature talk to your soul. Listen to her, and she’ll tell you how to make this world a better place.

Final Thoughts!

We have arrived to the final section of our list of environment-friendly hobbies you can take up to make this world a better place. But aren’t the only things you can do. You can get into active campaigning and even mainstream politics to fight for the cause.

Are you tired of the same old hobbies and looking for a more Earth-conscious pursuit? You’re in luck! There’s a world of environmentally friendly hobbies out there, perfect for anyone eager to reduce their carbon footprint and have a blast while doing it. Sustainable pastimes are not only enjoyable but also beneficial for our planet, making them a win-win for everyone involved.

Why not give organic gardening a try? It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors, while also helping to preserve biodiversity and support local wildlife. Or, if you’re a fan of DIY projects, upcycling is an excellent zero-waste hobby that allows you to create something new and unique out of items that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

If you’re more into conservation-oriented activities, consider volunteering at a local wildlife sanctuary or participating in a tree-planting event. With so many green activities and eco-conscious leisure options available, there’s bound to be something that piques your interest.

The idea is to start taking the environment seriously and work for it, rather than abuse the gifts it has been giving us forever.
Whichever hobbies you pick up, make sure to include your family members, if not friends and colleagues. The bigger the group, the higher will be the motivation to do something for the environment and protect it for future generations. If you are stuck for ideas and want some help check out our comprehensive list of hobbies.

Not only will you be having fun, but you’ll also feel good knowing that you’re contributing to a healthier, more sustainable future for our planet. So go ahead, explore the world of environmentally responsible interests, and find your new favorite low-impact hobby today!

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LillianDodd

I manage the Publishing side of things here and specifically responsible for Travel Section as an Editor. Through this section, I intend to provide all the tiny little nuggets that I managed to capture in my experience of travelling to countless countries. I have been featured on Timesticking, Yahoo Finance, Bestlifeonline, Finance at USnews, CreditIgniter and numerous publications. To sum it up: I am a Thinker. Beer evangelist. Certified organizer. Typical tv practitioner. Vegan fanatic. Introvert and an Extreme travel nerd.
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