Whether you are a stay-at-home mom, a professional working from home, or you feel as if you are never in the house you work so hard to afford, becoming more environmentally friendly is everyone’s responsibility.
With that being said, continue reading for a concise guide to running an eco-friendlier household.
Recycle (Everything)
First and foremost, one of the most effective ways you can personally help to look after the planet and the natural world around you is to recycle—literally everything that you possibly can.
With regards to government trash collections and other council-run incentives to recycle, each state tends to have different specific rules, so if you are unsure of anything, do not hesitate to reach out and contact them to find out more.
Some simple tips for effective recycling at home include the following:
- Never buy a plastic bag again
- Always clean out food containers and thoroughly dry them too
- Remember that any items containing combined materials are not recyclable
- Learn as much as you can about how to recycle clothing
Shop Sustainably
You will have no doubt heard, many times, the importance of shopping more sustainably, but you may well be unsure as to what this actually involves.
Not only does making sustainable shopping choices protect the environment, but it can also promote health and well-being in the community, help protect local wildlife, and even support smaller, local companies in your area.
Sustainable shopping essentially comes down to mindful purchases—be that luxury and one-off items or everyday groceries and toiletries—with the most important question to ask yourself is: ‘Do I actually need it, or do I just want it?’
Millions of returned purchases make a hugely horrific contribution to the volume of landfill in the United States, not to mention the harmful greenhouse gases that are emitted in the production of these items to begin with. Therefore, make sure that you actually want and need the item before you buy, and wherever possible, choose to buy secondhand whenever and wherever you can.
Reduce Your Water Usage
Nobody is going to deny you that beautifully relaxing half an hour in a hot bubble bath, surrounded by scented candles, and enjoying a glass of wine after a long and stressful day at work.
However, being conscious as to just how much water you and the rest of your family use on a daily and weekly basis will help to reduce your personal carbon footprint significantly.
Simple tips to help you to reduce your water consumption include the following:
- Taking shorter and more efficient showers
- Rinsing fruit and vegetables in a bowl
- Using your washing machine and dishwasher less
- Layering mulch around your plants and shrubs (therefore requiring less watering)
- Washing the car with a bucket and sponge (rather than the hose)
In addition, you should also contact renowned plumbers, such as Beehive Plumbing, who will check your toilet and bathtub for leaks, which could not only be wasting large amounts of water but also cost you more in your monthly bills.
Invest in Energy-Efficient Items
Another relatively easy way of reducing your carbon footprint is to replace your existing appliances and even your lightbulbs throughout your home with energy-efficient alternatives.
This way, your home will use considerably less electricity for everyday functions and tasks, which will both lessen the strain and negative impact on the environment and simultaneously reduce your household energy bills.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Work Too!
Finally, there would be little to no point completing all the tasks within this article at home but then ignoring the impact of your carbon footprint on the environment at work, which is why it is important to also learn how to be more sustainable whilst in the office.
Always ensure that you and, indeed, your colleagues turn off kettles, microwaves, and other electrical appliances at the plug socket after use and that everyone turns off ceiling and wall lights when they leave a room.
Furthermore, you could choose to launch a car-sharing program for those colleagues who live close to each other or even cycle to work rather than driving your car. If cycling simply is not an option for you, you could instead decide to use public transport, even for just a couple of commutes a week.
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