The term ‘Going Green’ has been around for a while now with many of us having the best of intentions when it comes to living more sustainably for the sake of our planet. ‘Greener Living’ is similar, in the sense that it refers to the practise of making better lifestyle choices that will ultimately lead to a healthier outcome overall.

Here are 10 ways to get you started on your path to greener living: –

  1. Become More Energy-Efficient

With much of the country being housebound for the past few months to curb the spread of Covid-19, our homes have been working overtime. We often forget to turn off the heater or lights when we leave a room. Making use of LED lighting or CFL bulbs whenever possible is also practical solution to cutting down on electricity. Ask for energy saver bulbs when you shop for light bulbs. 

  1. Choose Greener Products

Many cleaning products contain harmful toxins and chemicals. That is why it is so important that you become more mindful of what you are buying and make better choices instead. Greener products do not harm the environment, nor your family, and offer a great alternative to harsh chemicals.  Biodegradable detergents and washing powders are also readily available in supermarkets today.

  1. Make Better Food Choices

Eating food is the one thing that we all have in common and the food industry contributes to substantial carbon emissions by way of shipping its products around the world. Try to cut down on your meat consumption as most greenhouse gases produced from the food industry comes from the production of livestock animals. By eating more fruit and veggies instead of meat, you are already reducing your carbon footprint.

  1. Cleaner Waste Disposal Habits

How we dispose of our waste plays an essential role in greener living. Be wary of the amount of food and leftovers that you throw away each day to see where you can cut back. It takes a lot of energy to process and dispose of waste which is why separating your waste at source is important too. How the waste will be disposed of becomes easier when biodegradables, bottles, cans, and plastics are separated from your home.

  1. Watch Your Water Usage

With spring around the corner, it is that time of year again where water consumption increases, putting a strain on the water supply system. You can save water by making small changes like spending less time in the shower, limiting the amount of water you use to wash the dishes, and closing the tap when applying soap to wash your hands. 

  1. Recycle and Upcycle

You will be surprised at what you can reuse in your home once you get started. Glass jars can be refilled with jams, sauces and pickles and used yoghurt cups can be used as planters. Upcycling is another method that incorporates finding another use for something instead of throwing it out and creates fewer recyclable items in the end. Reduce, reuse, and recycle as much as you can.

  1. Lower Your Fuel Consumption

There are many ways to use less fuel, like making use of public transport or organise carpools to work, sports, events, and other activities. Another thing to think about is that a vehicle can burn up to 30 per cent more fuel if proper maintenance is not performed on a regular basis, so even though we know how important regular car maintenance is, for many reasons we just don’t do it often enough.

  1. Gifts for Greener Giving

They say that a green gift keeps on giving, like a plant, for example! Irrespective of the season, there is always the opportunity to do a little sustainable giving. Another way of giving a greener gift, is to donate to a charity or cause of your choice, in lieu of receiving birthday gifts. You can also use gift bags instead of wrapping paper, thereby saving on paper, Sellotape, and ribbon – plus you can reuse the gift bags.

  1. A Greener Workspace

Office printing can be a huge financial cost to businesses as well as being an unnecessary environmental cost.  With pressure being placed on reducing their carbon footprint, businesses must respect and understand the environmental costs associated with printing. Avoid printing as much as you can and scan documents instead of physically filing them. Always use double-sided printing where possible and turn off your computer before leaving work. 

  1. Greener Garden Initiatives 

It can be so rewarding watching your own herbs and veggies growing and being able to use them to create a meal for you and your family. So too is starting a compost heap, as this is a great way to make good use of biodegradable kitchen waste. You can cut down on costs from buying certain fruits and veggies just by growing some in your own backyard.

In the end, living a greener way of life will save you time and money, and really is not as difficult as it may seem. After all, small habits made every day can make a big difference!

Looking for more ways to reduce your carbon footprint? Contact Letsolo Water and Environmental Services today: https://lwes.co.za/contact-us/