Saving the environment can seem complicated and expensive. It involves eating organic foods, buying sustainable brands, and making swaps which essentially cost money. What most of us don’t realize is that saving the environment isn’t about adding things or expenses. It is about making smarter choices, reducing consumption, and minimizing your footprint. Sure that involves buying expensive products but the durability and benefits you get outweigh the immediate expense.
We are going to simplify being eco-friendly for you. With our easy tips, you can save the environment, shop better, and even save cash! Doesn’t that sound like a win-win?
Use Leftovers- Did you know that 40 percent of food in America gets thrown away? That’s about 40% of food decomposing in landfills, transport, garbage, and greenhouse gas emissions that can be reduced if we use leftovers. A lot of this can be avoided if people don’t waste food. Buy only what you need and immediately use perishable items. Anything leftover from dinner can be repurposed into a sandwich or a casserole. You save money on buying lunch from outside. You can meal-prep with leftovers and that way you don’t end up wasting money on junk food or ordering in.
Circular Fashion- Fast fashion has made the fashion industry one of the biggest contributors to global warming. You can change that by practicing circular fashion practices. Reuse, recycle and reduce your clothes and accessories. Purchase select items that can be worn for a long period of time instead of cheap, trendy clothes that don’t last beyond a couple of wears. Visit thrift and vintage stores to shop for quality pieces. You will be surprised at how much money you save buying pre-loved or vintage clothing. You can also participate in clothes swap or donate your clothes to charity shops. Online sites now allow you to rent clothes for special occasions. By renting gowns or formal dresses, you save money on purchasing a clothing item that you will barely use or wear.
DIY- There is literally no limit to what you can make at home or do it yourself. You save money and the environment by reducing unnecessary purchases or items. Many household cleaners contain toxic ingredients and harsh chemicals. Save the environment and your money by making a cleaner for your home. All you need to do is mix lemon juice, vinegar, and baking soda. You can also make your own face masks, scrubs, and face packs using simple ingredients like milk, honey, and olive oil. Yogurt makes for a great hair mask.
Use the 30-Day Trick- For any product you wish to purchase, try the 30-day method. Unless its an emergency or essential, wait for 30 days before you purchase the item. If after 30 days you feel you need it only then make the purchase. This saves you from impulse buys, wasting money, and causing harm to the environment.
Borrow not Buy- A lot of items in our house are just junk and not essentials. If you are not going to need them often or regularly, makes sense to buy or rent. Things like lawn mower, ladders, grills or equipment cost a lot and don’t get used often. You can also rent them or hire a professional once in a while to save you the money and time. There are plenty of websites that allow you to rent items in case you don’t know anybody who can lend you something.
Buy Energy Saving Appliances- Energy saving appliances may cost more initially but they save you a lot of money on usage, energy, and bills. You end up using smarter appliances which require less energy in the long run and last for longer. You can also buy second-hand appliances if you want to save money and save the environment.
Use Public Transport- Using public transport means there are fewer cars on the road which means less carbon emissions. Using public transport also saves you fuel costs, allows you to walk a bit, thus giving you some exercise and a change of scenery. Carpooling is another efficient way of saving money and saving the environment. Websites and apps are available for you to share routes and pick up people who travel on the same route as you.
Start Composting- A compost pile or heap can save your money from being spent on fertilizers or pesticides. It will maintain soil health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by food waste and wastage. Did you know that it takes up to 18 years for a corn cob to decompose in a landfill? But it takes only a few months in the compost pile for the same? Isn’t that amazing? Compost can be used to improve your garden, grow new food, and basically make you self-sufficient. Your compost can benefit your plants and save you loads of money and also help the environment.
These 8 tips are guaranteed to make you an eco-warrior and save you loads of money and benefit your life immensely.