Excellent eco-habits start at home, and if you are looking for a way for your household to be more eco-friendly, there is probably more you can do than you think. While we all know about the convenient methods, like recycling, there is still plenty more that you can do to take your eco-friendliness up several notches.
The fantastic thing about this is that they are not wholesale changes, either. Instead, they are simple, everyday lifestyle adjustments that may seem insignificant, but can actually make a huge difference.
Cut Out the Meat
Yes, it’s something bacon lovers will probably throw a tantrum about in the deli, but by cutting your meat intake, you can drastically reduce the impact that meat production and livestock rearing have on the environment.
‘But just one person won’t make a difference!’ Perhaps you’re right. Still, you can’t expect to change the world all by yourself. Instead, reduce how much meat you eat every week and replace it with equally protein-rich foods and encourage others to do the same. It will be a gradual adjustment, but with lower demand, there will be less need for supermarkets to stock meat.
Change the Lightbulbs
Lightbulbs are something that not many people think about when they want to create a more eco-friendly household. However, they are one of the easiest things to adjust your energy consumption. This isn’t to say you need to rush out right now and replace each bulb, but the next time one burns out, replace it with an energy-efficient bulb.
These bulbs are more energy-efficient, and therefore gentler on your energy bills, but they also last longer. This makes them but budget-efficient, too. While lightbulbs are not exactly expensive, it means you can treat yourself to something else a little more frequently.
Cloth Over Paper
Spring cleaning is something that we all dread at the time, but feel refreshed and energized once it is (finally) finished, at least until next year. However, if there is one thing that sticks out with a spring cleaning, it’s the vast number of paper towels that we consume to wipe away dust, dirt, grime, and anything else.
And all of this paper feels like a waste. But what can you do? Instead of using rolls upon rolls of paper towels, cloth from old t-shirts is a fantastic alternative. You won’t waste paper using it, and you can have a dedicated cleaning rag on hand whenever you need it. Once you’re finished, wash it to reduce it for next time.
Revolutionize Your Washing
If there’s one thing that many people struggle with being more eco-friendly, it’s washing. You accept that you will often use lots of water, especially for large families, so there is not a lot you can do about it. However, there are ways for you to revolutionize your washing to make it more eco-friendly.
Start with using an energy-efficient washing machine and only use cold water. You can also invest in environmentally friendly laundry detergent rather than budget brands from the supermarket. If possible, reduce the regularity of your wash loads, too, and stop using the dryer function to dry clothes. Use a washing line or rack instead.
Don’t Buy, Borrow!
Spending money can often morph into wasting money, and you can quickly end up with a lot of stuff that you just don’t need. This creates a demand for the junk, and you will clutter up your home that will eventually end up in a landfill when you don’t need to use it anymore.
Rather than fill your house with things that you only need once, ask friends and family to borrow items, or even take to Facebook or Twitter to trade or buy second-hand. Not everyone needs a brand new slow cooker or TV, and while you may consider yourself a bookworm, the library has just enough for you to read instead of filling the walls with books that you may never get around to.
Stop Wasting Water
Every time you turn the faucet on, you waste water. Every time you take a shower and allow it to warm up before climbing in, you waste water. But wasting water is never good for the environment, and it will merely flow through the pipes and into the river or ocean.
But how can you reduce water waste? Take quick showers and abandon baths together, or even purchase a low-flow showerhead. When washing up, only run the tap until the basin is full and then wash the dishes. Alternatively, an energy-efficient dishwasher is another useful solution. Finally, stop buying bottled water and rely on tap water, and if it doesn’t taste great, a water filter will solve this problem.
Reduce Your Energy Consumption
Reduced energy bills are not just great for the environment, but also your bank account. You would be surprised at how much energy you use every month, but there are straightforward ways to change this.
Lowering your thermostat settings over the winter is a great place to start, as is relying on natural light over the lights in your home, especially during the summer. It’s also essential to switch off any lights or switches when you are not using them, including your laptop or phone charger.
Educate Your Family (But Lead By Example)
One of the most effective ways of making your household more eco-friendly is to educate your family. To do this, though, you must lead by example. Practice what you preach and encourage them to develop excellent eco-habits to ensure that they carry this knowledge with them into adulthood. By doing this, you create a chain of sustainability that will do wonders for the environment, and hopefully, allow us to see an evident change.
Eco-Friendly Home
Anyone who cares about the environment and wants to improve sustainability and green living should consider adopting as many of these practices as possible. Not only will it make you feel better about yourself by saving the world, but you will also feel happier and healthier as you shift away from artificial products to those that are natural.
