We all know we should be doing more to help the environment and reduce our carbon footprint, but did you know there are plenty of things you can do without even leaving your home? Here are some of the ways you can be kind to the planet- while saving yourself some money in the process!
Use Less Energy
It’s not to say you need to walk around in the dark! But don’t waste energy, if you need to use electricity or heat your home then make the most of these things. Don’t put your heating on full when a window has been left open upstairs, or go out forgetting to turn the heating off. Don’t leave lights and appliances running when you’re not in the room. The energy we use comes from power plants that burn fossil fuels, so when you waste energy these fossil fuels have damaged the environment for no good reason. As well as being mindful about what you’re using, there are some upgrades you can make in the home to help too. Consider having solar panels installed to get some (or all) of your energy from a renewable source. Cavity wall and loft insulation is another example, this helps to keep your home warm meaning you don’t need to use as much heat and therefore less energy. Even switching your light bulbs to energy efficient models can make a big difference.
Waste Less Plastic
In recent years, we as the public are becoming more and more aware of how bad plastic is for the environment. In the near future, it’s thought that there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. In fact, a whole ‘island’ has been created from washed up plastic. It ends up in the sea and on beaches, and in many cases in landfill where it will take approximately four hundred years to degrade (leaching out chemicals that are toxic to the environment as it does). Aim to use less plastic at home. Stop buying plastic straws, instead go with metal varieties that can be used multiple times, or paper straws that can be recycled. Stop buying bottles of water in disposable plastic bottles. Companies like Bottletidy.com have re-usable varieties that not only look good but can be used time after time. Even things like plastic carrier bags are a huge issue- remember to take bags with you wherever you go shopping instead of buying and then binning new ones each time.
Opt For Eco-Friendly Renovations
Renovating your home is a great chance to freshen it up and make it a more enjoyable place to spend your time. But renovating can be bad for the environment. However there are ways that you can be more eco friendly during your projects. First, reusing materials is a good way to go. Not only is this more eco-friendly than buying new but it will also save you some money as well. Check to see if anyone is getting rid of wood, bricks, soil or anything else before you purchase new. Secondly be sure to recycle any materials that you have no use for after your project. You could use environmentally friendly paints, these have a lower VOC levels meaning they don’t release volatile chemicals that damage the environment and ozone layer. A few simple considerations can make such a big difference, especially as more and more people get on board how important it is to look after the environment.
