How to Be Eco-Friendly in Your Everyday Life in 10 Steps

In our daily activities, we take actions that in one way or another impact on the environment. From washing clothes, cooking, cleaning to being in the office, there’s a lot more we can do to live more sustainable and have a positive impact on the environment. In the end, we will leave this world a better place than we found it.

You can adopt these 10 ways of how to be eco-friendly in your everyday life:-

Reduce Your Meat Consumption

Do you know that by reducing meat consumption you make a big impact on the environment? Yes, that’s right. By reducing your meat consumption, you save the planet more. A good percentage of the earth’s surface is used for livestock rearing.

Deforestation widely occurs for the sole purpose of getting land for keeping our livestock. Consequently, there is an emission of methane from cows and the use of fertilisers. Combined they bring about greenhouse gas emission.

Likewise, livestock rearing largely contributes to water pollution through rivers and streams.

Be Economic with Paper

In the current digital world, we can reduce paper usage by storing data in files on our computers rather than printing them out on paper. We eventually save on the environment. Another way is by using only a small portion of paper by tearing it from the corner instead of scribbling in the middle.

The remaining part of the paper can be used for writing something else. By using less paper, we save a good amount of energy used in paper production, the number of trees cut down yearly and eventually live green.

Recycle Waste

Most of the appliance we use at home end up in landfills which have negative environmental factors. To minimise the amount of waste we take to the landfills, we should recycle most of it.

For example, we can recycle and reuse plastic, paper, glass or metal. Before recycling, you should know how to recycle as per the materials they are made of, separate them and recycle according to their categories.

Almost all paper products can be recycled apart from those that have plastic or metal components. Likewise, there are types of plastic that can be recycled and ones that cannot be recycled. Plastic that contains Polystyrene Terephthalate like water bottles can be recycled while those with the presence of Polyvinyl Chloride like clear plastic food wrappings cannot be recycled.

The same applies to glass and metal recycling. If this sounds complex and you’re not yet sure how to recycle your waste, you can hire an eco-friendly rubbish disposal company that will do it for you.

Unplug All Electric Devices When Not in Use

Another overlooked way of the things that can easily be done at home to reduce electricity bills and save the environment is by unplugging electric devices. Some of the devices like television sets, personal computers, air dryers and electrical teakettles keep on sucking energy and consequently your wallet.

When these devices are switched off, they still allow a small flow of electricity. Therefore, the best way to save is by unplugging them. You can also save on electricity bills by washing all clothes in cold water. According to the World Watch Institute, 85 % of energy for machine washing clothes is used for heating water.

Also, use natural sunlight to dry the clothes by hanging them on a clothesline after washing and consider opening the windows for fresh air instead of using an air conditioner.

Don’t Just Dispose of Things

Learn to consider on whether to fix or throw away appliances when they stop working or break. It’s economically worth repairing than disposing of them. It’s advisable to be able to personally repair your appliances or acquire skills on do it through DIY. By doing so, you save on energy, time, and money used on purchasing new things and also helps in sharpening your skills.

Be Innovative

Old clothes can be used to make cushions covers rather than taking them to landfills. Alternatively, you can decide to donate clothes to needy people. When you do this, you cut on electricity bills at the same time help in making the house naturally warm.

Embrace Solar Panels

Solar panels are environmentally friendly because they reduce the amount of carbon emission released to the environment. They use sunlight to produce energy, therefore, cut on energy bills.

Low-Energy Ways of Keeping Warm

Look on various methods that you can use to keep warm during cold seasons. Like, you can put on warm clothing rather than switching on the heater. In addition, keep the floor warm if they are open by covering it with rugs.

Get a Good Understanding of What You Buy

Nowadays, most of the health issue originate from toxins released to the atmosphere by trash. The trash we release to landfills also requires constant monitoring to make sure that dangerous chemicals don’t infiltrate into the surrounding environment.

There are several questions you need to have an answer of before any purchase decision. What’s the life expectancy of the item? For how long can it be used? After its useful purpose, will it end in the trash? It’s time to start investing in products that are reusable for a sustainable lifestyle.

Start a Home Garden

Try to grow your own edible herbs by planting seeds in pots or window sills. A small area can be useful in providing space for fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, you will get fresh and healthy grown fruits and vegetables.