In today’s world, sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint have become increasingly important. With climate change and resource depletion threatening our planet, you must do your part to live more eco-friendly.
By implementing just a few of these simple, green living tips, you can dramatically cut your home’s carbon footprint and help preserve the environment for future generations.
Reduce Energy Consumption
One of the easiest ways to make your home greener is to reduce its energy use. Homes use massive electricity and natural gas, leading to high carbon emissions. You can slash your home’s energy consumption and costs by making a few adjustments.
For example, switch to LED Light Bulbs. Replacing your home’s light bulbs with LEDs can make a big difference. Though LEDs cost a bit more upfront, they save money in the long run through energy savings. Switch over the bulbs in your most-used fixtures first to start seeing results immediately.
Cut Back on Water Usage
After heating and cooling, water heating is homes’ next largest energy user. You can significantly cut your water and energy bills with a little effort. Dripping faucets and leaking pipes waste huge amounts of water. Do a thorough check for any leaks and immediately fix any you find. Newer low-flow models use only 1.5 – 2 gallons while providing great water pressure. Installing low-flow faucet aerators also dramatically cuts water usage.
Choose Sustainable Materials
When remodeling or decorating your home, choose eco-friendly and sustainable materials whenever possible. Using green materials reduces your environmental impact and supports ethical companies. When choosing new floors, pick bamboo or cork rather than traditional hardwoods. Both are more sustainable than typical flooring. Wood furniture adds warmth but often comes from unsustainable deforestation. Seek out tables, chairs, shelving, and more made from reclaimed wood. Old barns, warehouses, and more are deconstructed to provide rustic, eco-friendly furniture material.
Embrace Natural Cleaning Products
Conventional cleaning supplies are loaded with harsh chemicals that pollute the environment. Luckily, simple natural ingredients can effectively clean your entire home. White vinegar cuts grease and kills bacteria and mold. Together with baking soda, they make an all-purpose cleaner, deodorizer; stain remover, drain unclogged, and more. Paper towel production takes massive amounts of trees and energy. Substitute reusable clothes made of old sheets, shirts, and more. Toss them in the wash after use instead of the trash. Typical laundry detergents contain phosphates and chemicals that get released into waterways. Instead, look for plant-based, biodegradable brands made with vegetable-derived soaps and essential oils. They get clothes clean without harming the planet.
Reduce Single-Use Plastics
Plastic pollution is choking our oceans and harming wildlife. Limit your use of unnecessary single-use plastics to keep them out of landfills and the environment. Many stores now offer small incentives for using your own bags. Invest in a reusable water bottle you love and bring it everywhere instead of buying disposable plastic bottles. Likewise, bring a travel mug when you grab coffee rather than getting endless throwaway cups. Regular plastic bags don’t biodegrade and are hard to recycle. Compostable ziplock bags provide an eco-friendly solution for storing leftovers and lunches. Look for bags made from plant-based materials like sugarcane and tapioca.
Compost
Organic waste like food scraps, paper, and yard trimmings accounts for 30% of what we send to landfills. Composting this material at home reduces methane emissions and creates free, nutrient-rich food for plants. Designate a compost bin or pile in your backyard or kitchen. Add fruit and vegetable peels, eggshells, coffee grounds, leaves, grass clippings, and more. Layer brown carbon materials like dried leaves with green nitrogen like food waste. After a few months, your compost will be dark, moist, and crumbly.
Support Renewable Energy
Fossil fuels are major contributors to climate change. Support renewable energy sources like solar and wind to power your home sustainably. There are a couple of impactful ways to make the switch: Adding solar panels lets you generate clean electricity on your roof. Extra power gets sent back to the grid for credit. Though panels can be pricey upfront, tax credits and energy savings make them a smart long-term investment. If you can’t install panels, choose an electricity plan through your utility that sources power from 100% renewable sources like wind turbines, solar farms, and hydropower. Support better ways of producing the energy you use.
Recycling
Start by setting up separate bins for paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum. Be diligent about sorting your waste and taking the recycling out regularly. You can also reuse items in creative ways instead of throwing them out. Turn empty jars into pen holders or cotton swabs containers. Use t-shirts you no longer wear as rags or make them into eco-friendly rugs. Egg cartons can be repurposed into arts and craft organizers. Try to purchase recycled products, like notebooks, tissues, and paper towels, when possible. Doing an occasional sweep of your room to identify any other reusable goods you can donate is another great idea.
Conclusion
With climate change threatening our world, living sustainably has become more critical. Fortunately, we can take many simple, impactful steps right in our homes to tread more lightly on the planet. From swapping light bulbs to composting food waste, small actions make a meaningful difference. Your homes offer great opportunities to live green. By conserving energy and water, avoiding toxins, cutting waste, and supporting renewables.
