In the current age, climate change is threatening our environment, causing catastrophic events to occur all over the world. Climate change affects all of us, and if we don’t do anything about it now, chances are we will continue to depreciate the earth.
Taking the green initiatives starts at home, where we tend to have most control over what happens around the household. When we take on green initiatives in our homes, we take the responsibility to work against climate change and environmental degradation by taking steps to become more eco-friendly.
Here are five simple ways you can introduce eco-friendly practices at home. These tips can all be done in a simple, affordable, yet effective way to upkeep your home, increase your quality of living, and reduce your carbon footprint in efforts to keep the environment clean!
1. Professional Home Cleaners
For most of us, we tend to think that hiring a professional home cleaning service may burn a hole in our pockets, but in reality, professional house cleaners are helpful in tackling day to day household chores. Because professional cleaners are trained and experienced in their trade, they understand the proper cleaning methods and disposal of any household wastes.
Look for professional cleaners that can work with natural, and eco-friendly materials. Oftentimes, chemical cleaners make their way into our waterways, forests, and natural reserves, polluting the waters, the soil, and the air with toxic chemicals that kill wildlife.
Instead, reach for clean, green sanitizing products that are made with natural ingredients that won’t pose a harm to the environment! Take time to read through reviews and ingredients to find products that are sure to be natural and environmentally-friendly.
2. Using Alternative Energy
Decades ago, solar energy was a newly-discovered energy that could be harnessed through expensive, intricate solar panels. Today, however, solar panels have become affordable as many homeowners now take to alternative energy to power up their homes and offices.
Make use of solar panels, windmills, or other forms of sustainable energy to keep your home running the eco-friendly way! These are easily installed in any home, and can be used to power lights, electronics, and other devices. Phone chargers now come with a solar-charging option as well for a green way to power your day!
3. Start a Compost Pile
Don’t throw away those fruit peels and vegetable scraps! Instead, create your own compost pile to provide your garden with the essential nutrients plants need to grow. Creating a compost pile is easy, affordable, and is so simple that kids can participate in making a compost pile to learn about how the earth sustains itself with a proper waste management method.
There are plenty of compost pile kits online, but you can create your own using large storage containers, newspaper lining, shredded paper and organic material, and the star of the show: earthworms! Earthworms also multiply quickly, so even having a small initial colony can grow into an extensive compost bin!
4. Use Reusable Products
Did you know that the paper cup you get with your daily drink of coffee from the cafe is not at all recyclable? While paper cups may be a paper product, these are typically lined with plastic to keep the hot drink from drenching the paper material. The result is a cup that is difficult and costly to recycle as recycling facilities will need to strip off the plastic liner to recycle that cup.
Instead, go for reusable products like tumblers, your own personal set of cutlery, and silicone zip top bags in place of plastic, disposable ones. Use clean rags instead of paper towels in the kitchen, or wrap your gifts with an eye-catching cloth instead of wrapping paper!
5. Upcycle your Items instead of Disposing
All those food takeout containers, plastic shopping bags, and old, torn clothes are still good for a different use! Your food takeout containers can turn into compost if made from organic material, or you can wash these to create a small pot for your budding plants. Those shopping bags make for great trash bags, and torn clothes can be turned into rags for kitchen or garage use!
When upcycling these products, you are not only extending the useful life of these materials, but you are minimizing the number of items that get into the landfill daily. There is a use for nearly any item disposed of, and you can use these items to their fullest potential!
Article Submitted By Community Writer
