You may think that you can’t afford to go green or that your lifestyle doesn’t allow time to implement sustainable practices. But, it seems worth taking a few minutes each day to give it a try. Not just for the environment, but perhaps even your pocket.
The small changes make all the difference in ensuring future generations get clean air and water without feeling like they’re fighting Mother Nature at every turn.
Here are a few green life lessons and habits you can easily pick up for your home, garden, and wallet.
1. Recycle, Recycle, Recycle
Recycle your old appliances to avoid harmful toxins leaking into our environment.
You may be surprised when you learn that other things can benefit from being recycled, such as plastic bottles and food cans!
Don’t forget about the potential benefits of recycling electronics by repairing or replacing them with newer models instead of throwing them away in landfill sites.
When disposed at landfills, they may cause damage not just environmentally but also human health-wise. This is due to dangerous materials that leak into the ground from landfill operations.
You can even start your own compost by adding vegetable peelings, eggshells, weeds, dead flowers, coffee grounds, and tea bags. Recycling as much as you can helps you to live a greener life.
2. Be Energy Efficient
Green lighting is the way of the future, and it’s not just for your home or business! If you’re looking to save on energy costs while also being environmentally conscious, consider replacing all those old bulbs with newer ones that are more efficient.
You’ll be able to reduce 8% off electricity bills by simply turning down the thermostat setting – don’t forget how cool this feels during those hot summer days either!!
Energy efficiency at home
- Seal your windows, doors and other entries or openings. Sealing your windows and doors helps you save money on your energy bill by keeping the cool air in during summer months and warm air in during the winter.
- Get a home energy audit. A home energy audit is an assessment of your home’s energy efficiency. An energy auditor will come to your home and assess how well your home is insulated, what type of windows you have, and how efficient your appliances are.
- Upgrade to more energy-efficient appliances. If your current appliances are not very energy efficient, consider upgrading to newer, more energy-efficient models.
- Use a space heater. If you only need to heat a small area of your home, consider using a space heater instead of running your furnace.
- Take showers instead of baths. A shower takes less water than a bath, so you can save money on your water bill by taking showers instead of baths.
- Wash your clothes in cold water. Washing clothes in cold water can save you money on your energy bill since you won’t have to use as much hot water.
- Plant trees. Planting trees around your home can help shade it and keep it cool in the summer and help keep your home warm in the winter.
- Use a clothesline or drying rack. Instead of using your dryer, try drying your clothes outdoors on a clothesline or drying rack. This will save you energy, but it also gives your clothes a fresh smell.
Making your home more energy-efficient can be easy and affordable and help you save money on your utility bills while protecting the planet.
3. Buy Local
Buying your groceries from a local farmers’ market is the best way to ensure you’re eating fresh, healthy food.
The fruits and vegetables will be locally grown, so there’s no need for huge gas-guzzling trucks that contribute harmful carbon emissions or travel miles on empty roads. Just get it delivered!
You’ll also support smaller businesses in town which means they’ll have more money flow through them, giving an economic boost to the community.
Not only this, but choosing organic produce is much safer than most things found at grocery stores which could have pesticides residue from the production process.
4. Leave your Car at Home
Car ownership isn’t always the best option. Not only are you spending money on gas and maintaining your vehicle, but car shares allow for more environmentally friendly transportation!
Join an Eco-friendly car-sharing club at work where they provide all of the cars needed to get around town during weekdays.
This way, there aren’t any unnecessary trips using up resources. In addition, it’s much cheaper overall because you don’t have two sets of cars during workdays.
Also, instead of driving to work, you could cycle!
Many states in America offer bicycle rental schemes that encourage people to be healthier and reduce their carbon footprint.
Choosing this form of transportation helps protect both our environment and our health.
5. Out with the New and in with the Old
You may be surprised to learn that you can purchase excellent electrical appliances such as freezers, washing machines, and steam irons from specialized green companies that restore unwanted appliances.
You will get a great discount on these products compared with new ones – usually around 50% less! These quality second-hand goods come with a 12-months guarantee, so there’s no risk of giving them another go.
Buying second-hand clothing is also a great way to save money and reduce waste. The same principle can be applied in baby steps!
You could start by buying nearly new items from stores or online sites like Etsy, which works out incredibly thrifty, especially for those with kids. They grow so fast, and it would be complete madness to waste cash on fresh outfits every single stage of their development. It’s common sense – buy used goods; cut down what goes into landfills.
Conclusion
Green living isn’t always easy, but the rewards are worth it to you and the environment. So don’t worry if you feel overwhelmed at first; just take small steps every few weeks or so, and eventually, your lifestyle will change for good!
