With climate change and the damage caused being added to every day, there is no reason why you should not make a move towards an eco-friendlier way of living.
Although some options are most certainly far from cheap, others are far more affordable, especially when you consider how technology is changing and progressing to minimize the harm that is being caused by humans to the environment.
Choose to Shop Differently
For instance, you can choose to shop differently. Use reusable bags to hold your shopping or actively seek out items that are surrounded by smaller amounts of packaging or packaging that can be recycled into other things.
There are now stores that encourage the use of bags that can be utilized again and again and that have their stock without plastic wrappers. Big barrels of loose grains, dried beans, herbs, and spices that can be scooped out and placed in reusable containers are most certainly a good idea.
Compost Kitchen Waste
Create a compost heap in your garden for all of your biodegradable kitchen waste to go on, such as egg shells, vegetable peelings, and used coffee beans, among other excellent additions. Creating your own compost in this way can help you feed your garden and your plants. It can also save you money on buying manufactured compost and the bonus is that you will know exactly what your compost contains.
Re-Utilize Unwanted Clothing
You can re-utilize old unwanted clothing. Using old t-shirts to make personalized warm blankets throws and t-shirt quilt makes for a practical and useful end to a much-loved band t-shirt that might not fit you anymore. Jumpers can easily be made into cushion covers with a needle and thread and the addition of a couple of buttons or a zip.
Of course, you can also make rag rugs from scraps of material, donate, or even sell other unwanted clothing that has wear left in them. This can then provide money that can be put to good use either around the home or to buy new clothing that has been on the wish list for far too long.
Install Solar Panels and Wind Turbines
Undoubtedly, a more expensive addition to your home would be the installation of either solar panels or a wind turbine (or possibly both). Gaining your power from these fantastic creations will ensure that you are practically off-grid, and will, therefore, lower your electricity bills. In some cases, you may find that you can make and store so much that you have the chance of selling your excess back to energy companies for use on the grid.
Make What You Have Last as Long as Possible
Items such as cell phones and other forms of technology have become throw-away accessories. Trading in your old phone every year or two may seem desirable, especially to the firms that sell them, but it is not a necessity. Cell phones can last for years and years, and only need to be traded in when planned obsolesce has finally made them redundant. This could save you money and it will certainly help the environment too.
Upcycle Your Furniture
To get the best look, you do not need to fork out loads of money at your local furniture store. Repainting or, for that matter, stripping and staining or waxing to upcycle your current furniture will give it a new look. If it is not fit for purpose, change its purpose, and give it a new life elsewhere in your home. You can release a creative and experimental you, and there are plenty of products that you can buy or information to look up on the internet to help you on your upcycling journey.
A Few Final Thoughts
Making a few small and simple changes to how your household works can have huge benefits on your life and the world around you. Helping the environment needn’t cost huge amounts of money or, for that matter, masses of effort, but it can be accomplished. No doubt, your kids will enjoy learning about the changes that you are making and may even like to participate in making rugs, designing quilts, or painting furniture.
