The planet is slowly becoming more sustainable. Plastic bags usage is reduced, people are walking more, and thinking more about the planet with everything they do. There are more and more people finding ways to reduce their carbon footprint and be kinder to the planet. Now, there are new ways of being sustainable from the comfort of your own home.
Install energy-saving features
The most effective way to live sustainably and not have to think about it every day is through installing energy-saving features, such as solar panels and insulation. These incur an upfront cost, yet once they are installed they will do all of the work for you.
Installing quality windows is another great method for regulating heat and reducing the cost of energy bills. Thus, they are also ideal for living more sustainably at home.
Re-use
We need to reduce the amount we consume. We also need to reuse and repurpose as part of our day-to-day lives. There are a number of ways to achieve this.
We can reuse by buying second-hand items from thrift shops and flea markets. Take the example of clothing. Extending the lifespan of clothes by just three months reduces the item’s carbon, water and waste footprint by 5 to 10%. Imagine the difference we’d make if we continued wearing second-hand clothes for many years after they’d been given up by their original owner. When it comes to items you already own, think twice before you throw anything away. If something is broken, try to fix it. Or if it’s beyond repair, give it another use. A worn-out cotton t-shirt works well as a duster. A pallet can be repurposed as a garden planter. Newspaper can be used to wrap presents.
Grow your own produce
Growing your own produce is a great way to live and eat sustainably. No matter if your garden is big or small, there will be enough space to grow something. Having a vegetable and fruit garden is also a rewarding prospect. You can water them, watch them grow, and then enjoy them in your daily diet.
Growing your own food has even greater benefits for the environment. Any fruit and vegetables you produce will have a much lower carbon footprint than food you can buy in the supermarket. Food has to travel a very short distance from soil to table, reducing the carbon emissions involved in food transportation. There is no plastic packaging to consider.
Use reusable bags
When you do go out to buy food (food that you cannot grow at home), then always remember to use reusable bags. Not only are you contributing to the world’s plastic use buying using and buying new plastic bags but you are wasting money. You can buy affordable reusable bags that will last longer and make you more sustainable while you shop. A reusable bag can easily be stored in your car, handbag, or pocket so there is no excuse not to use one.
