There are often times in our lives when we seek better solutions. We may want to improve our sleep without taking sleeping pills or be more mindful of the environment when we go shopping. Sadly, we’re often so wrapped up in our own lives and problems that we don’t consider how our actions are impacting the planet.
Even if we can’t solve all of the world’s environmental issues, there are still things we can do to make a difference. In this article, we will discuss some practical ways you can become more environmentally friendly in your everyday life.
Be Wise Over Travel
Walking and cycling are great alternatives to things like cars, taxis, and motorbikes. They are a free way to travel and a good form of exercise – plus they’ll get you plenty of fresh air. If these options aren’t possible, consider public transport or car-sharing, so you can reduce your carbon footprint. Air travel contributes significantly towards greenhouse gas pollution and global warming, so avoid this if you can.
Buying an electric car is a good way to reduce emissions, and it will save you a lot of money on fuel. Hybrid versions (that use fuel and electricity) are cleaner than petrol or diesel-powered cars, and they have lower running costs. It’s worth going online if you’re exploring this particular option. When selecting your next electric car, you can access car selector tools and have the terminology explained. You can learn about efficiency, battery size, home charging speed, performance statistics, and more.
Buy Organic Produce
Organic food is grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, and ionizing radiation. It’s produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and conservation practices to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products are derived from animals that are not given antibiotics or growth hormones.
Organic farming systems replenish soil fertility without toxic synthetic chemicals. They don’t contaminate water with chemical fertilizers or pesticides. The farmers grow a diversity of crops, which helps guard against pests’ resistance to toxic substances. They rotate crops to prevent disease while conserving energy through balanced nutrient cycles. The farmers provide better conditions for animals than the confinement operations used in mainstream farming.
Recycle and Upcycle
Be responsible for your household waste, and try to minimize what ends up in landfills. Are there things that are in perfect working order that you can give to a friend, donate to charity or sell online or at a boot fair? Glass jars and bottles can be recycled at your local recycling centre. Plastic containers can also be recycled, but make sure they are clean and dry before you take them. Tin cans should be washed and flattened before being placed in the recycling bin. Paper can easily be recycled by placing it in your recycling bin at home or taking it to your nearest local centre.
There are many tutorials online that will show you how to upcycle household items into something beautiful and practical. Cardboard boxes can be upcycled into a playhouse for the kids or storage boxes for your cupboards. A pretty summer dress that’s seen better days could be transformed into a skirt if it’s cut up and resewn in a different style. By adding new cushion covers and upholstery to your furniture, it could have a new lease of life. The same thing will happen to your old wooden furniture if you apply some fresh paint, stain, or varnish.
Use Less Water And Turn Off The Standby Lights
Conserving water is one of the simplest and most effective ways to be more environmentally friendly every day. Here are some tips on how you can use less water:
- take shorter showers
- buy a showerhead that uses less water
- install a new toilet that has low water usage
- turn off the tap during the brushing of your teeth or if shaving
- avoid using the dishwasher or washing machine unless they’re full
- fix any water leaks in your residence as soon as possible
- use a water butt in your garden to collect rainwater, so you don’t need a hose for watering your garden
Standby lights are one of the biggest energy wasters in your home. A lot of appliances continue to use electricity even when they’re turned off, and this is called standby power. To avoid wasting electricity, make sure to unplug any appliances that you’re not using. Some examples would be music players, televisions, phone chargers, and microwaves.
Use Natural Products
When cleaning your home or office, you should use natural cleaning products. They are usually made of environmentally friendly materials and will not leave toxic chemicals in the air, which is harmful to plants and animals. These cleaning products include vinegar, baking soda, and lemon-scented essential oils. You can also clean with water mixed with a mild soap solution that has no bleach or other harsh chemicals in it.
You should try to avoid using cleaning sprays because they emit CFCs into the atmosphere. This contributes to global warming by depleting the ozone layer above the Earth.
General Suggestions
The government has been discouraging the use of disposable grocery bags for some while now. Reusable bags are a great way to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our landfills and oceans. They’re made out of thick, durable fabric that will last longer than any bag made with paper or cardboard (such as those found at many supermarkets). They can also be used for other purposes, such as carrying books or clothes.
It’s worth buying a reusable drinks bottle rather than using disposable cups. If you grow your own food, it will taste great and save you money. Try to support companies that use recyclable packaging (or that use recycled materials in them) as well.
As you can see, you are far from powerless when it comes to making a contribution to the environment. By making some practical changes to your life, you’ll be investing in your future and the future of those who’ll come after you.