Lifestyle, food and drink, and our family life and travel adventures.
It’s no secret that we are all becoming a little more environmentally conscious and in recent months it’s become a hot topic. After all, we need to consider our footprint and how that may affect future generations.
So, if you’re a developing eco-warrior or simply just starting out, here are 5 simple lifestyle changes you can make to be more environmentally friendly.
Make sure to recycle!
You may think this is a little obvious, but recycling is a very simple and convenient task that you can do on a daily basis. You would be surprised by how much we miss when considering recycling and when most of us have our bins collected from our doorstep on a weekly basis so there is no excuse.
However, are you aware that recycling can mean more than popping old food containers and the odd newspaper in your recycling bin? Recycling your clothes or your unwanted home decor is a more environmentally friendly approach. In addition, when it comes to things like old tech that’s lying around the house (like an iPad), it might be more useful to sell your iPad to a recycler like Plunc – rather than just binning it or letting it gather dust. Charity shops are also a great place to give your unwanted items and offer them a new lease of life at the same time. You’re also helping a good cause and not adding unnecessarily to landfill. So next time you have a quick clear out, don’t go dropping it off to the tip, post it online or hand to a charity shop. As the old saying goes, one man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure.
Reduce your water consumption
They’re many ways to reduce your water consumption and as you have probably guessed, your bathroom is the biggest culprit for overuse. However, with a few simple swaps and a conscious mind, you can make a real difference to your water usage and save some cash in the process.
Taking a shower over a bath is a well-known trick, yet, have you also considered cutting down your shower time? There’re handy gadgets on the market that can help you control your shower time such as SmarTap. Not only does it time your shower, it can also set personal preferences for shower temperature and can even be voice-activated using Amazon Alexa.
Another simple way to reduce water consumption is to consider a toilet with an economical flush. Having the option of two flush types is a great way to save on water. It’s astonishing how much we use and if you really want to reduce the water consumption, follow the old saying “If its brown flush it down” and if its anything else, does it really need to be flushed?
Cut your energy use around the home
Cutting your energy at home is quite a simple task. By unplugging appliances or ensuring they are switched off after use will make a change. Another great way to cut energy but also save money is by draught-proofing your home. Ensuring your windows are sealed well will make a big difference. You can also add draught eliminators to get the best use of your heating.
Another, often unexpected change, would be to add underfloor heating. This is not just limited to your bathroom either and can be used in any room in your home.
Another swap which may take a little more time than the rest would be considering an eco-efficient car. They are becoming very popular and in the long run, can save you a pretty penny.
Start composting
Composting has become a popular activity in many homes, you could even call it a trend. People are becoming more aware of the natural cycle of decay and embracing the possibilities of composting. Composting is a fantastic way to help reduce landfill waste which produces greenhouse gas; a huge problem for our planet.
Paper, leaves, grass, wood shavings and even your pets’ droppings and sawdust are brilliant for your compost bin. Other food items such as vegetables and fruit are also great and dry items like biscuit’s and corn is absolutely fine. Items you should avoid adding are meats and fats. These can get very smelly and attract some rather unattractive pests. Always make sure the lid is tightly sealed, so you get no unwanted intruders.
Buy responsibly and sustainably
We are all becoming more conscious and brands are catching on. They are now considering how their products are produced and this is assisting us when making our purchases. After all, if you had a choice of two very similar products and one was sustainably made, which one would you choose?
Buy items made from materials that can be recycled or that are biodegradable. Simple swaps from plastic storage boxes to wicker baskets (they are called Seagrass baskets onsite), upgrading your toothbrush from plastic to wood and even using reusable face wipes. All those little steps can make a big difference.
This is a collaborative post.
Welcome to Birds and Lilies! I'm Lou: mother, blogger and freelance writer. This is my lifestyle blog, where I talk about motherhood, infertility and IVF, beauty, my love for food and wine, as well as my thoughts about stuff, and our real-life and travel adventures.
Contact: [email protected]
