In the current age we live in, sustainability has been gaining more importance because of climate change and such. Because of this, homeowners must shift toward sustainable home living.
However, many think that making a home sustainable takes much money and effort, but that isn’t the case.
Here are easy ways to start your journey towards sustainability:
1. Personal compost
Making a personal compost is more manageable than expected. You can either dig up a pit or create an area to put in organic waste to make compost. The compost can be used in the yard for future use.
A particular type of bin, which you can purchase at a local hardware store or gardening supply store, or make yourself, can be used to compost supplies if you do not have enough space for an outdoor compost pile. Remember to keep an eye on your pile and take account of what you put in it.
2. Laundry water for cleaning
For those who handwash their clothes or have a washing machine with accessible drainage, you can reuse soapy water for cleaning outside floors and items. You’ll be able to save water and soap by doing so.
3. Dishwater for plants
If you clean dishes with your own two hands, not using a dishwasher, use a basin to catch the water and pour the collected water in a bucket to water your plants. This is also another way to save water.
4. Energy-efficient appliances
Change your old appliances to new energy-efficient ones. It may seem like an expensive idea, but you’ll save more money with bills in the long run while taking care of the environment. Invest in appliances with inverters and the like.
Having these appliances in your home also allows you to take energy-saving actions as quickly as possible.
Energy efficiency can contribute to the development of favorable ecological impacts. By utilizing environmentally sustainable electronics, you can contribute to cleaner air quality while also aiding your family and other individuals to become happier and better. So making use of them can be an excellent way to contribute to improving the overall well-being.
5. Recycle or upcycle
Don’t throw away things right away. Find ways to recycle or upcycle goods, such as using ice cream plastic tubs as containers. You can also use wine bottles as flower vases.
Recycling helps to reduce the amount of waste we send to the dumpsites. When waste is abandoned to decompose in garbage dumps, it creates toxins into water and soil, and as it decays, it emits greenhouse gases, resulting in climate change.
6. Plant
Plant around your house. Grow personal herbs or vegetables so that you’ll no longer have to expend so much energy and money going to the market to buy what you need since everything is homegrown. You can also have the option to call a professional tree service to make sure your trees look beautiful and well-maintained. Not only will you save resources, but the air quality in your house will also improve.
7. Clothes rack
If the weather is sunny, hang your washed clothes to dry instead of putting them in the dryer. Make use of the sun instead of wasting electricity running the dryer.
8. Do laundry in bulk
Another tip for sustainability is doing laundry in bulk. If you use washing machines, save time, energy, water, electricity, money, and effort by washing your clothes in big groups.
9. Water-conserving appliances
Homeowners should not only invest in energy-efficient appliances but also water-conserving ones. For example, modern toilets have a feature that uses less water than previous models.
10. Build good habits
The last thing is to build good habits. Start with small and doable practices to be integrated into your lifestyle. Soon, sustainability will come as second nature in your life.
Developing new habits like switching to a more sustainable lifestyle is one of the most difficult and satisfying practices you will go through in your life. It is also one of the most gratifying.
Implement these practices into your daily routine, and you’ll be well on your way to living a much more sustainable and ecologically responsible life.
Do not be overwhelmed with all the sustainability ideas and gimmicks offered. The best advice is to choose a few that you find manageable and be consistent in doing them. Once you can integrate the habits in your life, you can slowly add more. It’s all about consistency.
