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Businesses and governments need to take steps to be more sustainable, but it’s still possible to do plenty of things on a personal level too. If more individual people make an effort to live sustainably, they can all contribute to creating a better planet. A lot of people want to live greener, but they’re not really sure where to start. Many of the steps you can take might not seem like a big deal, but they can still make a difference. If you don’t know what to start doing first, this guide will give you a few ideas that can help you to do what you can.
Rethink Your Car
Having a vehicle is an essential lifeline for a lot of people. Without one, you might not be able to get to work or go grocery shopping, among other things. Many places are not particularly walkable, so residents end up having to drive even short distances. However, although you might need your car for some things, it’s also possible that you can do other activities without it. Shorter journeys could be possible on foot or by bicycle. If you’re lucky enough to have access to public transport, it offers a more eco-friendly way to get around.
Whether or not you’re able to use your car less, you can reconsider your car itself and how you use it. When it’s time to get a new car, considering a hybrid or fully electric vehicle could help you to live more sustainably. Alternatively, look for a car that has good fuel efficiency so that you can reduce the amount of fuel you need to use. Another tip is to look at how you drive and how well you maintain your car. A well-maintained car can use less fuel, and so can one that’s driven carefully and without too much weight.
Cut Down on Waste
We can all produce an awful lot of waste and it’s not always through any fault of our own. Sometimes it’s difficult to avoid buying products that have a lot of packaging and then you have no choice but to throw it away. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to cut down on the amount of waste that you produce, even if there are some things that you can’t avoid. When you’re shopping, you can look for products that use less packaging or use packaging that can be recycled. For example, buying things with cardboard instead of plastic packaging is a good idea. Things like paper and card, glass, and some types of plastic and metal are widely recycled, so it’s easy to recycle more and create less waste.
You can even completely avoid food packaging by shopping in bulk or zero-waste stores. Just bring your own containers and fill them up with what you need. This is also a good way to reduce food waste because you can buy exactly what you need instead of having leftovers that you don’t end up using. Meal planning is a good way to reduce food waste too, and so is using up your leftovers.
Watch Your Energy and Water Use
We all need water and energy at home. But just because we can’t avoid using them altogether, it doesn’t mean we should just use them as much as possible. It can be easier than you might think to reduce your water and energy use, which not only is better for the environment but can also reduce your bills. Being more careful about how much energy and water you use could make a big difference.
One thing you can change is your behaviors. It’s easy to do things like switching off lights in rooms that you’re not using and putting on another layer before you turn on the heating. Taking shorter showers and not running the water when you brush your teeth are simple changes that you can make. You can also make some more permanent changes around the house. Switch out your light bulbs for LEDs and they will not only use less energy but will last a long time too. Buy energy-efficient appliances and install devices to limit the flow on your toilet, faucets, and shower. All of these things can reduce your energy and water usage and your bills.
Install Green Energy Sources for Your Home
If you want to take the next step in energy saving, you can consider investing in green energy products for your home. This isn’t something that just anyone will be willing to do because it does often require a significant investment. But the initial spend can be worth it to help you save money and live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. There are several types of renewable energy that might be useful for your home. The first one that most people will think of is solar panels. You can use a solar panel guide to learn about how they could be used in your home. Solar panels can be useful for heating water as well as for generating energy for electricity in your home. Solar energy systems can be best in sunny places, but you don’t necessarily have to live in a very hot or sunny place to make use of them.
Other renewable energy options are available too. For example, ground pumps and air pumps extract heat from the ground or air to use in your home. Some people might even have space to install a small wind turbine or a water source that they can use to produce energy. When you’re looking at options for renewable energy, think about the cost, the space you have available, and which option is most suitable for your home.
Take a Look at Your Diet
What you eat can play a big part in how green your lifestyle is. It’s more sustainable to look for local, seasonal food than it is to buy exotic fruits or imported products. It’s a good idea to learn about what foods are available in your region in different seasons so that you can try to buy local and sustainable products. You can often check where produce has come from and even which farm it has been grown on. It’s also a good idea to consider cutting down on the amount of meat, dairy, and eggs that you eat. You don’t have to become fully vegan to reduce your meat consumption. Buying and eating less of it without completely giving it up is an option too.
Shop Sustainably
It’s not just grocery shopping that you should consider when you want to live more sustainably. Other types of shopping are important to do carefully. For example, if you’re shopping for clothes, you can try to avoid fast fashion. Not only does it often use less sustainable fabrics and materials, but it could be the result of exploited workers too. Paying more for your clothes and shoes can not only make your purchases more ethical but also ensures you have better quality items too.
You can look for products that are fairtrade or that are marked with another certification that shows they are sustainable. Many organizations commit to working sustainably and doing their best to create a better planet. Another way to shop more responsibly is to look for reusable items, rather than single-use products. When you use something multiple times, it will have less of an impact on the environment than something that you simply toss away.
Start living more sustainably with these tips for green living, and you could save money and the planet.
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