It’s no secret that our way of life is damaging our planet, and that change is no longer a choice – it’s a necessity. While the world’s leaders are debating the bigger strategies, how can we make a difference in our everyday lives? Trying to adopt a greener lifestyle can seem like a daunting task at first, but the truth is that making small changes to the way you live can make a big difference when you put them altogether. Most of us are used to recycling as part of our everyday routine, but here are 10 other ways that you can reduce your impact on the environment.
Turn Appliances Off – Not Just on Standby
You may not realize it, but when appliances are plugged into a live socket, they are still draining energy, even if they are on standby. Try to get in the habit of turning appliances off at the wall whenever you can.
Streamline Clothes Washing
You need to wash your clothes, but you may not need to wash them at the top temperature setting when only need a refresh, i.e., they don’t have stains. Air clothes between wears to reduce the need for washing and sponge off small marks.
Reduce Plastic Use
Single-use plastics have caused a huge amount of damage to the environment, which is particularly noticeable in the oceans. Harmful chemicals have polluted the waters, and creatures are becoming entangled in or swallowing plastic. Reducing your use of single-use plastic through re-using bags and containers, as well as trying to choose top plastic alternatives, can make a real difference.
Be More Mindful When Shopping
When shopping, try to be more mindful and buy sustainably produced items or those which can be used multiple times. You may not need to buy new, with so much available in charity shops and online marketplaces, where second-hand items are easily available.
Be More Creative
More and more people are getting in touch with their creative sides and taking up crafts such as sewing and knitting, which enable them to create and repair clothes and household items from old fabrics.
Try to Repair Before You Replace
If you’re someone who tends to replace something as soon as it stops working, consider trying to get it repaired first. There are some household items that you may be able to fix yourself with a little internet research, or there are probably friends or family members who can help.
Grow Your Own Vegetables and Herbs
Another way to reduce the packaging you consume is to grow your own food, such as vegetables and herbs. Growing herbs at home doesn’t require a lot of space as they can be grown on a windowsill, while vegetables will need a patch of grass or vegetable box.
Buy Energy Efficient Appliances
When your appliances do fail, or when they cost a lot in terms of energy bills, try to upgrade to a more energy-efficient model, which will minimize your energy usage. For example, a more efficient heating system can significantly reduce heating costs by as much as £315 per year.
Improve Your Home’s Insulation
Improving your home’s insulation will keep more of your heating inside, which will mean you can use your heating less, reducing carbon emissions and lowering your bills. Find out more about adding insulation to your home.
Install Solar Panels
If you can make the investment, installing solar panels on your roof will generate free and renewable electricity for use in the home. This means you can buy less electricity generated from fossil fuels, which is better for the environment and better for your wallet.
