Living a more eco-friendly life can help to reduce global warming and various other environmental problems associated with unsustainability. There are several things that you can do to contribute to the protection of the planet, starting with your home. Here are some practical tips that you can easily implement to start living a more eco-friendly life.
Switch it Off
You can start your journey towards a more eco-friendly way of life by simply switching off your appliances, lights and other electrical equipment when you are not using them. Most people leave their television on standby at night, instead of leaving it on standby, switch it off completely. This can drastically reduce your carbon footprint and although simple, your eco-friendly lifestyle journey starts here.
Ditch the Plastic
In the past, the solution to plastic waste and plastic production pollution was to recycle. However, only 9 percent of plastic actually gets recycled therefore, the rest ends up in landfills which are extremely harmful to the planet.
Therefore, the best solution is to eliminate plastic usage or significantly reduce the amount you use. For example, instead of using plastic bags for grocery shopping, utilize reusable bags instead. Drink filtered water and use glass bottles for your water consumption. Shop at farmers’ markets and take your own reusable, non-plastic containers and bags with you.
Eat More Plant Based Foods
Overconsumption of meat is detrimental to the overall health of the planet. If we used most of the planet’s pasture lands for natural vegetation, it would significantly reduce greenhouse gases and harmful air pollution. You don’t have to go completely plant-based; however, you can make a conscious effort to reduce the amount of meat that you do consume.
Use Renewable Energy
Switch over to renewable energy, some power companies offer 100% renewable tariffs, take advantage of these. Also, you can install solar panels in your home to reduce the amount of non-renewable energy that you use.
Shop Responsibly
Be mindful when you are shopping for clothes, food and other items. For example, fast fashion causes major environmental problems. It contributes to textile waste which is the second major cause of global pollution. More than five percent of landfill on the planet is taken up by textile waste. Search for brands that produce and retail products that care about the environment.
Non-Toxic Cleaning Products
Most mainstream cleaning products contain toxic chemicals that pollute the water system and harm the environment. Many cleaning products also come in plastic packaging and contain harmful microplastics. Purchase eco-friendly cleaning products or make your own homemade, all-natural cleaning products instead.
Clean Beauty Products
Just like cleaning products, many mainstream skincare, haircare and body care products contain harmful chemicals that are detrimental to your health and the health of the planet. Some skincare products also contain microplastics and other chemicals that harm the environment.
Reduce Food Waste
Food wastage is a major problem all over the world, in the United Kingdom alone, more than 6 million tonnes of food is wasted every year. Food waste ends up in landfills which leads to excess CO2 emissions.
Reduce the amount of food that you waste by freezing leftover food, donating food to food banks and purchasing food from supermarkets when they are just about to close to reduce the amount of food that they throw out on a daily basis.
Purchase Eco-Friendly Tech
Some technology companies are gravitating towards sustainability thus producing products that help to protect the environment. Seek out eco-friendly tech and purchase these products instead of the tech products that you would normally buy.
Plant a Food Garden
Plant your own food and reduce the amount of packaging that is used to pack food, and less shopping for groceries is great for the environment.
Insulate Your Home
Insulating your home is excellent for saving energy, when it’s cold, it reduces the amount of heat that escapes. When it’s hot, insulation reduces the amount of cool air that is released from your home.
Compost
Instead of throwing food away, create a compost heap or box and use your compost as fertilizer for your food garden.
Have Your Groceries Delivered
Instead of going to the grocery store to purchase your groceries every week, get your groceries delivered instead. Grocery delivery is like public transport for your groceries, give it a try instead of taking the car every time you shop.
LED Bulbs
Invest in LED bulbs instead of regular bulbs, they are far more energy-efficient.
Making your home more eco-friendly is not difficult at all, start small by switching off your electrical appliances when you are not using them. Gradually move on to reducing plastic waste, planting your own food, eating more plant-based meals and installing solar panels to reduce the amount of non-renewable energy that you use.
