Today, this blog talks about 5 simple steps to an eco-friendly lifestyle everyone can practice.
Ever seen people carrying their own shopping bags at Kroger and reusable boxes at restaurants? Some might see them as the new wave of hippies while others see this as a great move towards a sustainable lifestyle. I myself have tried it and realized that it was pretty fun. I think of it as me having all these shopping nags sitting in my storage room and Tupperware I've bought long ago but never really used. I thought it will be fun to give them a purpose in my life again and doing so made me feel as excited as when I first gotten those sustainable items.
The best part is you can do it too! Let's explore five straightforward steps to make a significant impact on our planet, while also adding a refreshing touch to our everyday lives.
1. Mastering the Art of Recycling and Composting:
Recycling isn't just about separating paper and plastic. It's about understanding what can be recycled and how. For all of you managing household waste, setting up a simple yet effective system for recycling and composting can significantly reduce your environmental footprint. Personally, I recommend starting by separating your waste into perishables, plastics, aluminiums, and paper material. Perishables can be easily composted by starting a compost bin for organic waste like fruit peels and vegetable scraps. If you're limited on space, try a small, odor-free compost bin under the kitchen sink.
2. Smart Shopping: Choosing Sustainable Products:
Making eco-friendly choices while shopping is a powerful way to support sustainability. From biodegradable cleaning products to sustainably-sourced groceries. All you have to do is simply read the label and assess how the products you choose are packaged. There are many products like many packs of "mini snacks" that come in a larger packaging use a lot of plastics. You can also look for products packaged with recycled material and biodegradable ones too. A really simple thing you can do to make sure you're shopping sustainably is really by changing your needs and diet to fresh produce and reducing the consumption of processed foods.
3. Energy Efficiency at Home: Easy Wins:
Energy efficiency is key to an eco-friendly home. Simple changes like switching to LED bulbs, optimizing your thermostat settings, and using energy-efficient appliances can make a big difference. One move I truly recommend is by switching to a smart home system. Smart thermostats can be easily programmed to maintain the temperature of your home and smart bulbs can be programmed to turn on and off at certain times and even when you leave the house and return home. Best part about that is you wouldn't have to worry about all that throughout the day; It's all automated.
4. Eco-Friendly Transportation: Greener Choices:
Whether it's commuting to work or dropping kids off at school, transportation is a big part of our daily lives. A simple way you can start is simply by carpooling. In many cities across the united states, there are incentives for High-occupancy vehicles (HOVs) like a dedicated lane and cheaper toll rates at certain times of the day. In Malaysia, the City of Kuala Lumpur has unrtroduced lanes exclusively fro public transportation vehicles which include taxis and ride-share services. Also, you could simply choose to take public transport. I won't be getting into electric cars as the energy source itself is an open debate as well as the lithium mining crisis.
5. Reducing Water Waste: Simple Everyday Tips:
Water conservation is crucial for sustainability. From fixing leaks to adopting water-saving habits, there are numerous ways to reduce water waste in your daily life. Just consume as much water as you need and don't always leave the tap running when you're not using any water.
In Conclusion...
Adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle is a journey of small, thoughtful steps that collectively make a big impact. As working millennials and stay-at-home moms, you have the power to influence the future of our planet positively. Let's embrace these simple yet effective practices and lead the way towards a greener, more sustainable future.