Living green may seem like an overwhelming challenge to some homeowners. However, instead of treating it as an enormous challenge to conquer, approach it as a collection of small changes you can make to achieve a larger impact. These tips from Eilatan are a good place to start.
1. Make Your Home Eco-Friendly
Your home is one of the biggest footprints you leave on the environment. If you are buying a new home, look for eco-friendly elements, such as solar panels, dual-pane windows, Energy Star appliances, insulation, and smart thermostats.
To make your existing home more eco-friendly, consider adding environmentally-conscious upgrades. Features, such as green seal-certified materials, smart windows, and energy management systems, not only help reduce your carbon footprint but can increase the value of your home. You can document the change in value by taking before and after photos and keeping your receipts.
2. Recycle and Compost
Recycling is not a new concept, but the reason it has been around so long is that it works. If you don't already own a recycling bin, purchase one. Having a bin on hand will increase the likelihood that you will stick to your recycling goals. Better yet, get more than one bin. You are more likely to recycle materials instead of throwing them away, if you have a bin in every room of your house, instead of just the kitchen. You can make use of your organic garbage by composting. Composting your food scraps helps keep them out of landfills and provides you with free fertiliser for your garden or household plants.
3. Buy Secondhand and Sustainable Clothing and Accessories
The fashion industry has an enormous impact on the environment. According to data, about 20% of the wastewater generated globally comes from the textile dyeing process.
Additionally, the fashion industry contributes to crowded landfills, greenhouse gas emissions, and plastic microfibres in the ocean. Purchasing secondhand and sustainable clothing and accessories reduces the number of new clothes that need to be manufactured and cuts down on these harmful effects.
4. Don't Buy Bottled Water
It takes almost three times the amount of water contained in a plastic water bottle to make the bottle, and about 80% of it is never recycled. Using a reusable water bottle instead of purchasing bottled water is a better choice for your wallet and the environment.
5. Eat Less Meat
About 77% of the agricultural land in the world is used to support the meat industry, which generates as much as 9% of the human-related carbon dioxide emissions and 65% of the human-related nitrous oxide. Reducing your meat consumption is one way you can cut back on your contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
6. Use Fewer Paper Towels
In general, finding ways to reduce the number of disposable products you use is good for the environment. You can cut back on your paper use by using cotton towels to dry your hands and cutting up old t-shirts to use for rags. Keep a stock of reusable towels and rags around your house and put them in a laundry bin to wash together once you have enough to make a full load.
Whether you are completely new to green living or an old pro, there are steps you can take to make your daily life greener. These are just a few of the many options.
Written by: Mark Harris (awarenesstoolkits.com)