Small changes for a healthier planet: 5 tips on how to get started
Living a low-impact lifestyle doesn’t mean living in an outdated household, but rather changing our habits and lifestyles to be more environmentally and budget-friendly. Even small steps towards a greener home can make a big difference. Every long journey begins with the first step and now is the time to start. For innovative, long-lasting beauty products, here’s where to look.
Waste
Much of our waste also comes from our kitchen activities or from the shop. Disposable packaging and plastic bags create a pile of waste that is difficult to break down and is growing. The waste of food and natural resources in general is alarming. The key is to produce as little waste as possible. Stop buying fruit and vegetables in plastic bags and use textile bags that can be used indefinitely. Buying family packs and reusing packaging can also help. But if some waste is still generated, sorting should be natural. Compost what you can and sort the rest into appropriate containers. Keep your fridge tidy, making sure it contains the right amount for what you eat. Prevent food from going bad: dry or freeze fruit, vegetables, mushrooms and even herbs. You can also extend the shelf life of food by vacuum packing.
Shopping
Prepare everything you can at home. It may take a little more time and effort, but it can save you money and the stress of crowded shopping centres, and you can learn something new. We can make our homemade products to delight ourselves and our friends. For example, we can regularly make homemade pasta, jams and preserves or even tea in the comfort of our own homes. Try to buy local produce, and check out local food suppliers or organic farms. Small local bakers, butchers and delicatessens can often be found in online grocery shops. Plus, home shopping is environmentally friendly. Compared to a traditional supermarket, where dozens of cars arrive for groceries in an hour, a car from an online store’s warehouse can be delivered to up to 10 households in an hour.
Lighting
The rule is to light only where you need it. Use daylight, and remember to turn off the lights at night and in the evening. Replace traditional light bulbs with low-energy LED lighting — these save money and are more environmentally friendly as they contain no mercury or lead.
Household
Make environmentally responsible choices when choosing furniture for your household. Consider that by selecting a quality, long-lasting sofa, rather than one that will end up in the bin in two years, you’re helping to make your household greener. When choosing fabric for upholstery, look for fabrics made from recycled materials. Fabrics made from pet bottles are available in various colours, so you will surely find a shade that suits your home. If your furniture is structurally sound and you like it, refurbish it before buying a new piece. A modern, special upholstery fabric or a little paint can work wonders.
Energy
Saving energy is one of the most important things we can do to reduce our own ecological footprint. Charge mobile phones and other small devices only for as long as necessary, not all night. Don’t leave the TV and other appliances on standby when we leave home. A standby mode, an energy-saving light bulb switched on and a phone still charging may only consume a small amount of electricity, but it can cost us thousands of dollars a year. Energy saving goes hand in hand with energy-efficient light bulbs or quality appliances that don’t produce unnecessary heat in the home. Energy saving also applies to houses or apartments. The energy or heat that leaves them harms both the environment and our wallets. If you have the opportunity to insulate your house, do it. It is an investment that will pay for itself very quickly. The same goes for the summer, when it is much more environmentally friendly, economical and healthy to use proper shading technology, which cools the home naturally, than air conditioning.
In today’s fast-paced world, we often find it difficult to commit to more time-consuming yet more long-term environmentally friendly solutions, but it is worth it because the future of our planet is in our hands.
References:
https://www.hennepin.us/choose-to-reuse/tips/2021-Eco-Friendly-Habits
