One of the things we pride ourselves on here at Ciays Team is our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint. From the materials, we used during the building process, to the type of diapers and cleaning products we use on a daily basis, it is all done to cultivate a more environmentally conscious atmosphere. Here are a few ways you, too, can create a more eco-friendly environment at home, and get the whole family involved:

1. Get rid of toxic chemicals.

Household cleaning items and even some of the foods we consume contain toxins that are detrimental to our health. Consider making your own cleaning products using common household items such as vinegar and baking soda. You can also buy natural household cleaners, which are sometimes cheaper than the ones with a lot of chemicals! Even try going meatless a few times out of the week, or plant a small garden in your backyard. This way you can grow some of your favorite produce items, and not have to worry about the use of pesticides and other toxins. It's also a fun way to get the kids involved and show them a new appreciation for the world they live in, making it a family affair!

2. Conserve Energy.

Get your family in the habit of turning off lights when they're not in a room, and unplugging appliances when they aren't in use. Even though some things are powered off, they're still using energy when plugged into an outlet. Ensure faucets are turned all the way off and consider taking showers instead of baths, as it uses less water.

3. BYOB.

Whether you're at your favorite shopping center or local farmer's market, practice bringing your own reusable cloth bags instead of using plastic ones. Make it fun for the kids by giving them their own bag to decorate however they want. Then, encourage them to take their bags along for the shopping trip, too!

4. Carpool.

Get together with a small group of parents from your child's daycare or extracurricular activities, and take turns carpooling throughout the week. This creates a sense of community and support system amongst like-minded parents and gives you a much-needed break at least once a week. And your kids are making friends in the process as well!

5. Recycle.

You hear people talking about it all the time and it's one of the first things mentioned when it comes to being more eco-friendly! Teach your kids the symbol to look for and make a game out of it. See who can recycle the most items every week and watch them enjoy making our earth a better place, one item at a time.

Overall, be sure to make it fun and keep things interesting. Through each task, educate your child on the ways in which it's positively impacting the world we live in and how their efforts are making.