Our choices in life affect our environment and other living creatures in the ecosystem. Fortunately, we have the option to make the right decisions that will protect our planet and everything that is connected within. Here are some easy tips for living a sustainable lifestyle at home.
Find some interesting new ways of reusing items
More than likely, you have tossed a couple of items out after you were done with it. It perhaps could have been a torn curtain, a metal can, a plastic bag, old electronics and many others. Believe it or not, most of these items can be repurposed and reused. You can reuse the old clothing to make decorative crafts, you can also donate old magazines and books as well as take old furniture to repurpose and make outdoor furniture or they may have the potential to become antiques.
Plant a garden in the backyard
Start making fresh herbs and vegetables by planting a garden in your backyard or on the balcony. It does not have to be a large garden. You can also use containers to plant vegetables and herbs when you do not have a garden. This is ideal because planting a garden and eating fresh will lower your carbon footprint.
Look for plastic alternatives
Yes, the plastic grocery bag has just about had its day. Instead of using plastic shopping bags, consider buying woven or canvas shopping bags. These types of bags help to eliminate the increasing the amount of plastic waste in the landfills. Canvas and woven bags can be repeatedly used and washed unlike plastic bags. These bags save you money and because they are often spacious will save you time because you can put twice as much in them as you can plastic bags. Using plastic will also decrease the death rates of many sea animals that are lost due to the ingestion of these plastic bags.
Choose renewable energy
Instead of companies using fossil fuels they must transition to renewable energy. As a consumer, you have the buying power to support companies that incorporate sustainability practices. Look for companies that producing renewable energy from such sources as solar and wind. In the home you too can personally install solar water heaters, and other energy efficient appliances to help cut back on products that create energies made from fossil fuels. In the same line, conserve energy by turning off equipment and lighting when you do not need it and change your bulbs to energy saving alternatives.
Boycott products that endanger the environment
Yes, there are companies that completely disregard the environment and only put profits first. They will use materials such as skin and horns sourced from wildlife or will destroy massive forests for the wood or palm oil of trees without planting replacements. Look for products made from sustainable sources such a bamboo and fish species that are plentiful and stand up to companies that violate the earth and its ecosystem.
Finally, take a look at product labels before purchasing your goods. Buy organic products whenever possible. Moreover, support your local community and look for locally manufactured and home grown products. Sourcing locally has little impact on your carbon footprint because the transporting of the goods is confined to very small distances.
You have a voice in who you want to purchase from. Stand up to those who destroy forests and leave a heavy carbon footprint or disregard wildlife. Sometimes the only way to get the manufacturers attention is by tapping into their bottom line.