The effects of global warming and climate change are being felt across the world as the Earth’s temperature rises. Extreme weather, rising sea levels, deforestation and loss of entire species can all be attributed to environmental pressure. More than a third of all carbon emissions can be attributed to the top 20 biggest companies in the world, so whilst they foot a huge amount of responsibility for the problems the Earth is currently facing, we can all do our part and work to minimize our carbon footprint.
Compost with composted earth
Tips To Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly
There are lots of ways you can make an effort to be more mindful of the environment, many of which you can do from home. Here are a couple of ways you can make your household more eco-friendly.
Laundry
Cleaning clothes is something we all have to do, and if you have a large family, you probably find that your washing machine is never off. This can not only cost a fortune, but it’s extremely damaging for the environment, too, especially if you’re laundering on the hot setting. Rather than cleaning your clothes on the hot setting, switch to the cold one. Provided your clothes are excessively dirty or stained, the cold setting is more than sufficient for cleaning your clothes. If you have a particularly stubborn stain, the warm setting with a good stain remover should work. By washing your clothes on the cold setting, you will find that they last longer and stay more vibrant. This is because hot water can make fabric deteriorate and dull the vibrancy – all the more reason to wash on cold! If you can, hang your clothes out on the washing line, too. Dryers can shrink and deform clothes and they use up a lot of energy, too. So, if you want to really reduce your carbon footprint and preserve your clothes, wash on cold and dry outside where possible!
Waste
In 2019, researchers estimated that 2.3 billion tones of trash are produced each year. Of that garbage, only 16% is recycled, with an astonishing 46% being unsustainably disposed of. That means almost half of all the waste produced by humans is either put into landfill or discarded into the ocean. This wreaks havoc with the natural eco-system, but it doesn’t have to. Much of what we produce can be recycled and should be. Simply sorting out your waste could make a huge difference. Glass, (most) plastics, paper and tins can all be recycled, but it’s important to make sure they’re clean first because contamination can cause huge issues and send items to landfill as they become unusable.
When it comes to food waste, compost is a viable option. Here are some foods you might not have
realized can be composted:
- Coffee filters
- Stale beer/wine
- Stale candy
- Pizza crusts
- Old herbs/spices
- Crumbs
T-shirts hanging on a clothesline in front of blue sky and sun
Waste encompasses more than just food and packaging; it also includes things like furniture. If you have items like sofa’s, TV’s, beds, wardrobes and the likes, ask yourself: could someone else get use out of this? If the answer is yes, donate it! If the items are too far gone and not fit for purpose, look at employing the help of a professional company like Central Junk who will responsibly dispose of your items in a way that is sustainable and eco-friendly.
Small Changes
Sorting your waste and changing how you launder can make all the difference, but here are a few simpler changes you can make to help you on your quest to saving the planet:
Shop second-hand where possible
Grow your own produce
Turn off lights
Switch to LED bulbs
Use a programmable thermostat to monitor the temperature in your house
Plant plants
Carpool/cycle/walk
These are just a few ways you can do your part to become more eco-friendly. Every little helps, so even if you do just one of the things on this list, you’re making a difference.
If you are looking for fun crafts that epicycle, check out these adorable penguin magnets
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