Are you looking to reduce your environmental impact but don't know where to start? Making small changes to your daily habits can have a huge positive effect on the planet. From saving energy and water to reducing waste and your carbon footprint, there are so many easy eco-friendly swaps you can make around the house.
Here are 12 simple tips and tricks to make your home more sustainable:
Ditch Single-Use Plastics
The average person uses over 500 plastic bottles per year, which ultimately end up polluting our oceans and environment for hundreds of years. One of the easiest eco-swaps is to invest in a reusable water bottle. Not only does this reduce plastic waste, but you'll save money too! Reusable bottles come in all shapes, sizes and materials like stainless steel, glass, and BPA-free plastics.
Say No to Plastic Straws
Those little plastic straws may seem harmless, but they are one of the top 10 items found littering our oceans and beaches. This year, make the commitment to ditch disposable straws and opt for reusable options made from materials like bamboo, glass, or stainless steel. Most of these alternatives come with a portable cleaning brush too. It's an easy way to be part of the solution!
Unplug to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Did you know that the electricity consumed by household appliances and electronics in standby mode accounts for up to 10% of residential energy use? Dubbed "vampire power," this idle consumption of electricity results in higher energy bills and increased carbon emissions from power plants. Make it a habit to unplug devices when not in use or use a power strip to easily cut off standby power in one go.
Shower Smarter to Save Water
With a few simple adjustments, you can dramatically reduce your water consumption during showers. First, try cutting your shower time by just 2-3 minutes - this can save up to 10 gallons of water! You can make that savings even bigger by installing a low-flow showerhead, which uses up to 40% less water while still providing good pressure.
Embrace Plant-Based Meals
The production of meat and animal products has an enormous environmental footprint in terms of land usage, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. Going vegan for just one day can save 1,100 gallons of water and prevent 30 square feet of forest destruction! Start small by committing to "Meatless Mondays" or exploring more plant-based recipes.
Ditch Paper Towels for Good
Did you know that using just one 100% recycled paper towel roll = saving 544,000 trees? Switching to reusable microfiber cloths or bamboo paper towels is an easy way to reduce your paper waste and save trees. These alternatives are machine washable, more cost-effective in the long run, and don't leave behind lint or streaks.
Brighten Up with LED Lights
LED light bulbs use up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs while lasting 25 times longer! Making the switch to LED bulbs is one of the quickest ways to start saving energy and money at home. In fact, a household that replaces just 15 traditional bulbs with LED bulbs can save around $1,000 over the bulbs' lifetime.
Recycle the Right Way
While most people try to recycle, there's still a lot of confusion around what can and cannot go into the recycling bin. For example, did you know that greasy pizza boxes are considered contaminated and cannot be recycled? Get educated on proper recycling practices for your local area to reduce contamination and ensure materials actually get recycled instead of sent to landfills.
Make Your Own Eco-Friendly Cleaners
Many conventional household cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can pollute indoor air quality and contaminate local waterways when washed down the drain. Luckily, it's easy to make your own effective, non-toxic cleaners using simple ingredients like white vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and essential oils. Your home will smell fresh and clean without exposing your family to toxic fumes.
Start a Compost Bin
Did you know that over 30% of the average household's waste is made up of compostable materials like food scraps and yard waste? Instead of sending these nutrient-rich materials to landfills where they'll release methane as they decompose, start a compost bin! You can purchase an outdoor tumbler composter or simply designate a shaded area of your yard for a basic compost pile. The compost makes an excellent natural fertilizer for your garden.
BYOB - Bring Your Own Bags
It takes over 500 years for a single plastic bag to degrade, yet the average person uses hundreds of them per year for just a few minutes of convenience. Get into the habit of keeping reusable totes in your car so you never have to use single-use plastic bags again when running errands or shopping. You'll be refusing plastic waste while also avoiding the 5-10 cent bag taxes many areas now have.
Buy Products with Minimal Packaging
Did you know that packaging and containers account for over 30% of the total waste stream? You can drastically reduce your household waste simply by being more conscious of a product's packaging before buying it. Opt for items sold with no packaging or minimal packaging made from recycled or recyclable materials. You can also look for products sold in bulk bins where you can use your own reusable bags or containers.
Making your home eco-friendlier doesn't require dramatic life overhauls or expensive renovations. We here at B4 Lifestyles struggle on a daily basis to be consistent in our sustainability efforts. However, we keep trying! By incorporating simple swaps and habits like the ones listed above, you'll be well on your way to reducing your environmental footprint while also saving money! Even small changes can make a big positive impact when multiplied across households.
What sustainable swap will you start with?