If you are looking for ways to look after the environment then what better place to start than in your own home? Even if you don’t have a super “save the planet” vibe in your life; making changes to have a more eco-friendly lifestyle just makes you a good steward of the earth. Landfills aren’t getting any smaller so being mindful of recyclables and creating less waste really benefits you.
Conserve energy where possible
A good habit to create is one that uses less energy in your home. This is a simple task that can save you money on your monthly utilities. Remember to turn lights off in rooms that are not being occupied. Let the sun shine in to create natural light where possible.
Did you know you still draw electricity on plugged in items even when they’re not in use? The flat iron you use for 20 minutes a day can be unplugged when you’re finished with it. The same goes for small kitchen appliances like that air fryer and stand mixer. Do more than just turn the power off, unplug and save some kilowatt hours.
The biggest energy draw is your HV/AC system. Try keeping the indoor temperature a little cooler in winter and warmer in summer to really conserve electricity.
Update your technology
Try going to more energy efficient technology to curb energy use. Some of the items we use daily are so old that they put a larger drain on electricity than a newer more efficient replacement. Upgrade your thermostat for instance. You can upgrade to a programmable thermostat that will allow you to set the temperature in your home to different settings for when you’re home and when you’re at work. This will cut down on your unit’s run time significantly.
If you’re trying to hold onto outdated computers, you likely will spend more to repair the item than to buy new. If your tech isn’t necessarily too old, but experiencing issues, then shop around for reasonable repair techs who can help with questions like why did my Macbook screen go black? You may even find the answer on the Internet.
Use recycled items
Consider using recycled items when making purchases for your home. There are thousands of products that have been made from recycled items. You can find everything from shoes to clothing. Tons of things can be made from recycled bottles. There are even companies out there that you can subscribe to and you will receive monthly products that are designed to help with sustainable living.
Use refillable containers
Instead of continually drinking water that comes in plastic bottles; consider using re-fillable containers. Many drink containers come with a filter so the water you drink is as pure as any you can purchase. You can even refill large capacity containers at the grocery store. That way you make one purchase of a five gallon container and only pay to refill it when you need more.
Encourage bees and butterflies
Create garden areas around your home that will encourage the bees and the wildlife to visit. Bees are a vital part of our ecosystem. Without them, natural pollination cannot occur. This could mean the disappearance of many native plants. Butterflies as well do much to propagate natural pollination of native flowers. These ecosystems are what helps sustain the earth and is necessary for healthy environments.
Don’t use energy unnecessarily
This seems like such a small thing, but using energy in frivolous ways should be avoided. We’ve all used our dryers to get wrinkles out of clothing. There is really nothing so wasteful than to put a single garment in the dryer for a 20 minute cycle, just to get out wrinkles. Of course to avoid this, you need to be mindful of your laundry as you are doing it. It’s easy to leave clothes in the dryer and forget about them. Then you tend to have a wrinkly mess.
If you’re in a rush and think you won’t be able to wait for an entire dryer session; invest in some dryer balls which can help dry your clothes up to 30% faster than normal. That way you’ll save time and energy. If you immediately fold or hang up clothing straight out of the dryer, you’ll likely not have wrinkles to contend with.
Small changes can help make your home a more eco-friendly environment.