More consumers than ever are environmentally conscious, especially since the climate change crisis is reaching a tipping point.
The negative effects of climate change are becoming increasingly apparent, whether it’s the rising sea levels and melting glaciers or severe storms and ongoing droughts.
If you’re looking to be more environmentally friendly in your home, consider following some of the helpful tips below.
1. Compost
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), composting is nature’s way of recycling. Setting up a compost at home is relatively simple, requiring minimal effort or money.
The ingredients for a compost include water, air, carbon-rich (browns) and nitrogen-rich (greens) materials.
By composting, you and your family are reducing the volume of materials entering incinerators or landfills, helping improve the state of the environment.
2. Build a Garden
Gardening is another way to make your home more eco-friendly. Growing your own fresh fruits and vegetables can help you eat healthier, save money and gain a sense of pride.
If you lack a green thumb, you can start small, or even build an indoor herb garden for fresh thyme, rosemary, mint or oregano.
You can slowly take on more gardening activities or build a larger outdoor garden once you understand the basics of gardening.
3. Buy Sustainable Clothing and Shoes
Let’s be honest — fast fashion is harmful to the environment. The U.S. throws away around 2,150 pieces of clothing each second, most of which ends up in landfills.
Instead of donating or throwing away old clothes, buy sustainable clothing that lasts years rather than months. You can also buy sustainable shoes from eco-friendly brands like Allbirds, Rothy’s or Nisolo.
If you want to make your home more eco-friendly, take a look at your wardrobe and make some changes.
4. Purchase Eco-Friendly Furnishings
Another way to be more eco-friendly is to buy sustainably made furnishings for your living space.
Many sustainable furniture brands are emerging to meet the needs of eco-minded people.
For example, some companies use 100% fully recyclable materials for their products or avoid adding chemicals or dyes, using substantially less energy and water and do not pollute the environment.
Add flair to your home by purchasing eco-friendly decor and furniture.
5. Use Green Cleaning Products
Traditional cleaning products for your kitchen, floors and bathrooms are often harmful to the environment.
How else can you keep your home clean? A simple answer is to opt for green, natural or eco-friendly cleaning products.
Major brands like Dr. Bronner’s, Clorox, Tide and Woolite are always coming out with new eco-friendly cleaners to appeal to modern consumers.
If you plan on using eco-friendly cleaners, be sure to pair them with tree-free, sustainable paper towels to take your sustainable home a step further.
6. Install Energy and Water-Efficient Appliances
Energy- and water-efficient appliances are growing in popularity, and for a good reason. These advanced appliances are helping people do right by the environment and save on utility bills.
According to ENERGY STAR, some of the most common efficient appliance categories include:
- Washers and dryers
- Dishwashers
- Humidifiers and dehumidifiers
- Boilers
- HVAC systems
- Ceiling fans
- Light bulbs
When you shop, keep an eye out for the ENERGY STAR logo on products. This lets you know that they’re more eco-friendly than their competitors.
7. Use a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats are all the rage for tech-savvy homeowners. There are several brands of smart thermostats out there, from major retailers like Amazon and Honeywell to Ecobee and Nest.
These app-enabled devices monitor the temperature and humidity of your home, allowing you to make changes right on your smartphone from anywhere.
Many smart thermostats also come with sleek designs, innovative features and energy-efficient settings to make your home comfortable, yet environmentally sound.
8. Shop With Reusable Bags
Going to the grocery store is a hassle, but also quite wasteful. Plastic bags are a major culprit of environmental harm, as they end up in landfills and never degrade. Instead, opt for reusable totes.
You can purchase a handful of reusable bags from online retailers like Amazon, or at your local grocery store.
More chains are selling reusable bags to reduce the amount of waste their customers generate. Another option is to visit a package-free grocery store, which is a nationwide trend specifically targeted to sustainability oriented consumers.
9. Go Solar
Solar power is a promising alternative energy source many residential and commercial property owners are adding to their roofs.
According to NerdWallet, if you can afford the initial costs and live in an area with high energy rates and a sustainable solar rating, consider installing solar panels on your property.
You’ll get a 30% tax break, help the environment, increase the property value of your home and save on energy costs.
Being as Eco-Friendly as Possible at Home
The ultimate goal for environmentally conscious consumers is to create an eco-friendly home.
While it might seem challenging at first, adopting more sustainable practices can pay off in the long run. Consider following the tips above to make your home as eco-friendly as possible.