In current climate change times, and we are thankful to say that more and more people are now realising the importance of making more eco-conscious choices. Living an eco-friendly lifestyle is now a lot easier than it once was, with many brands and corporations offering environmentally friendly products and many companies encouraging eco-friendly practices. That being said, there are still plenty of ways that we can improve and become even more conscious of how to preserve the world we live in. If you consider yourself pretty environmentally-savvy but wish to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle overall, make sure you take a look at our following tips.
Shop Packaging Free
One of the most useful things we can all do to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle is to limit our plastic use. One of the best and most effective ways to do this is to be more conscious of our shopping habits, avoiding unnecessary packaging wherever possible. While this can be tricky depending on the specific places you shop, there are often supermarkets, such as Wholefoods, which allow you to stock up on groceries like fruit and veg or cereal by using your own storage containers. It’s also essential to take your own reusable shopping bags with you when you visit supermarkets and avoid using plastic carrier bags as much as possible.
Did you know? 100,000 marine animals are killed by plastic bags annually.
Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly
Our homes are a place we spend most of our time, especially in these current circumstances in which many people are working from home due after pandemic outbreak. It makes sense, then, that we look at ways to minimise energy use and increase eco-awareness in our homes, aside from the more obvious tips like recycling. One way to do so is to upgrade your lighting with energy-saving bulbs, and to replace any appliances with more energy-efficient models. It’s also important to keep an eye on certain bad habits you may have, such as leaving lights on when you are leaving a room or letting your taps drip. If you’re a renter and you are looking for your next place to live, it’s also an idea to look for a new build apartment or house. New buildings are naturally more eco-friendly due to the fact that they typically have better insulation and are built with more sustainable materials.
Did you know? Owners of new build homes save almost £700 in energy bills each year?
Preserve Water
We all know that preserving water is one of the best ways to lead a more eco-friendly lifestyle, but how can you do it effectively? Aside from making sure there are no dripping taps in your home, there are some ways to get creative with your water-saving habits. Some ideas include reusing water that you’ve cooked with, such as saving water with which you cooked pasta or vegetables and using it to water plants. If you live in an area with occasional rainfall, you should also try and gather rainwater to water your plants and garden, or to wash your car. Avoid using hose pipes unless absolutely necessary, especially if you live in a typically dry and humid area.
Did you know? In one hour a hosepipe will use the same amount of water as a whole family would use in 2 days
Get Walking
If you have a car or usually use public transport to get from A to B, it’s time to embrace the beauty of walking. Provided you don’t have too far to travel, walking can be one of the best and simplest ways to live a more eco-friendly life, with the added benefit of being good for your physical and mental health. For longer journeys, consider buying a bike and cycling rather than travelling by car or bus. Just remember to stay safe, use cycle lanes when possible, and be conscious of the road at all times!
Did you know? Car pollution is one of the major causes of global warming.
