Eco-friendly living does not mean that you have to live in a forest, disconnected from modern civilization and at one with the wildlife.
If you want to, there are convenient and practical ways for you to live sustainably.
Do you want ideas? Here are nine practical things that you can do:
Use LED light bulbs
If you still have old lights in your home that are starting to flicker, this is the best time to switch to LED light bulbs.
LED lighting is a simple way you can change your home to be more eco-friendly while also reducing the energy usage in your home. When you’re more energy-efficient, you’re also more sustainable overall, which is why LED lights are great.
LED lights last longer than other bulbs while also lighting just as bright if not brighter. That means you won’t have to replace it as much. At the same time, it doesn’t use as much energy as older bulbs.
Of course, just because LED lights are great doesn’t mean you have to start changing your bulbs right then and there. It would be wasteful to replace functional bulbs, so it may be best to let them run their course first before returning them.
Grow your vegetables
Living a more sustainable lifestyle also encourages one to be more self-sufficient. One way that can manifest is by growing vegetables at home.
Even if you don’t have a green thumb, growing your vegetables can be a good side project that you eventually learn to master. If you possess a green thumb, you might as well grow food out of that skill to help you.
It can be challenging to have a vegetable patch if you don’t have a garden, but it’s certainly not impossible. You can get windowsill plant boxes instead and choose vegetables or even herbs that grow well under these conditions.
Aside from adding free food, these can even add a pleasing décor by your windows.
Invest in eco-friendly technology
We mentioned before that energy efficiency is a massive part of being more sustainable at home. Therefore, looking at your energy consumption and finding ways to be more energy-efficient can come in handy.
That said, if you have appliances that need replacing, consider buying Smart appliances or those with the ENERGY STAR label. Many of the energy-efficient appliances reduce how much energy they need to run, so it saves you money, and you reduce your carbon footprint.
Say no to single-use plastic
You should reduce the number of single-use plastic that you end up using in your life as much as possible. There’s plenty out there.
For example, disposable plastic straws are plentiful and not very recyclable. The same thing goes for plastic bottles that can pollute the land, sea, and air.
Luckily, there are now reusable alternatives for single-use plastics in the market. For example, straws come from all sorts of materials, and some can even be edible. There are also reusable water bottles that you can clean and refill that also retain the temperature of their contents.
Boost your insulation
If you want to live in a sustainable home but don’t have the budget to do so, you can start with boosting your insulation.
When your house is poorly insulated, that means that heat is escaping through the crevices. This will make it challenging for your cooling/heating system to regulate indoor temperature. Due to this, you’re probably cranking the thermostat or letting it run for a lot longer than you should.
By boosting your insulation, your home will stay at the temperature most comfortable for you for a lot longer. At the same time, you won’t be using as much energy to maintain that desired temperature.
To elevate your insulation, opt for green insulation options such as cellulose insulation, sheep’s wool, and fiberglass.
Turn off your tap
Aside from power usage, it would help to be mindful of your water usage and practically any other resource you use at home. That’s why when the water is not in use, turn off your tap.
Even in the small moments, like when you’re brushing your teeth, you should turn off the tap while you’re doing that.
It might be an insignificant amount to let go of, but it can build up the more often you do it. Just like how you turn off the lights when you’re not in the room, turn off the tap when not in use.
Use your microwave
Microwaves use much less energy than a conventional oven, but of course, you can’t exactly compare the scale of the two. Nonetheless, if you can, consider energy-efficient usage of the microwave whenever you can.
For example, you might not need to turn the microwave on for longer than it should be for heating food. You might also find some food is more energy-efficient to cook in the microwave.
Air dry your washed belongings
If you don’t need to use the dryer for clothes, then it’s best not to. The sun itself is an excellent natural source for drying your clothes, and it also can kill germs on your clothes.
Given all these reasons, you should consider air-drying your clothes more often. That way, you reduce the number of times you use a dryer while also getting the benefits of air drying.
Get second-hand furniture
Another way you can be more sustainable is by reducing the amount of waste or junk that you generate or is in circulation.
One way to put that into action is by getting second-hand furniture whenever you can. Instead of getting new stuff all the time, getting second-hand furniture provides you with the things you need without having to use up natural resources.
If you can’t find second-hand furniture, opt to find furniture made from second-hand materials instead.
By applying these suggestions to your life, you can make the right step towards saving the environment. You reduce your negative environmental impact without upturning your entire life, so there’s no excuse not to try these out now.
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