As a result of the restrictions imposed by coronavirus lockdowns, there has been a 30% drop in pollution in the Northeastern US, according to data from NASA. Due to less use of transportation and businesses being forced to shut down, many US residents have found themselves in a healthier environment recently—for a little while, at least.
Now that we’ve seen that a less polluted world is possible, it’s a great time to keep that environmentally conscious mindset and start creating better habits.
If you’re conscientious about taking care of the environment and setting an excellent example for your kids, the best place to start is at home. For simple ways to live a greener existence, here are four of many ways you can do it.
Conserve Water
Before clean water reaches your home, it’s funneled through a treatment process that involves harsh chemicals and uses energy, which contributes to global warming.
To prevent an unnecessary amount of clean water being produced, which uses the earth’s resources, be mindful of how much of the water you use in your home is essential. To reduce the amount of wasted water in your home, you can make simple changes like using the shower instead of a bath and running a load of dishes only when the dishwasher is fully loaded.
When you use hot water, additional energy is needed to heat it. According to the folks over at Waterheaterreviewssite.com for homes using tank water heaters, in particular, a greener solution is simple—you can invest in a tankless water heater. Tankless water heaters only heat the water you use, thus preventing wasted energy and water. A tankless water heater is a smart, green investment for homes where a water tank needs replacing. A water heater company in Canyon Country can help you get the right solutions in place if you’re ready to make the switch.
Reuse Items
Did you know it can take over 400 years for a plastic bottle to break down? There are millions of plastic bottles, Tupperware containers, and single-use pieces of cutlery created, purchased, and disposed of each year. To help save the planet, why not reuse more items like plastic bottles and tubs from takeout? Additionally, things like shopping bags and baby clothing can also be used again to cut down on household waste.
Fix What’s Broken
The availability of cheap goods such as clothing, furnishings, and toys means many people tend to replace rather than repair their belongings. It’s a consumer habit driven by marketers to persuade people to believe they need more things to lead a happy and fulfilling life.
However, repairing or sprucing up something you already own is just as fulfilling. It could be something as simple as replacing a zipper in a backpack or polishing up your old boots. Repairing what you own means you’ll be buying less, throwing less away, and reducing your overall waste footprint.
Reduce Food Waste
The American Journal of Agricultural Economics published a study highlighting the average US household wastes 31.9% of their food. Solutions for reducing food waste in your home include:
- Meal planning and buying only what you need.
- Disposing of wasted food in an outdoor compost bucket. You can use your homemade organic compost to enrich your garden’s soil.
- Prioritizing using food that expires the soonest and freezing any food you’re unable to use to keep for another day.
For a more sustainable household and existence, the tips above can help you in your quest to preserve and protect the environment.