When it comes to the environment, there is so much being reported in the news that there needs to be more focus on being eco-friendly, that is with businesses taking a responsibility as well as taking a responsibility yourself. While you may not be able to control what the business does, unless you manage or run the business and have your own policies in place, but you can take on your own responsibility to ensure that things get done right. I wanted to share with you some of the things you could consider.
Recycling in your home
Recycling is one of the obvious things you could be doing to help when it comes to the environment, but are you doing enough? You might need to think about how you go about your recycling in your home, and while you may have separate bins for paper and glass, are you thinking about other aspects such as scrap metal recycling? There are so many things in your home that could be recycled more repskinisibly, and you can make the difference by having it as a focus in your home.
Collecting rainwater to save on water waste
During the summer months, you have a lot to consider when it comes to water waste. You may spend time outside watering plants but that is a lot of wasted water, so why not choose to do things differently? Instead, consider collecting the rainwater and then using that as an ideal water source for giving your plants and flowers the much needed water they need. It also works well for sprinkler systems for grass.
Insulating your home to help with heating
Insulation is a huge part of any home, and so if you don’t have any you may notice that a lot of heat escapes your home. Heat rises, and so without any insulation in loft areas, it escapes never to be seen again. But on the flip side this means that you are forever having your heating on high and wasting a lot of energy and source in the process. Simply investing a little into the insulation of the loft and other aspects of your home like wall cavities can help to increase the energy efficiency in your home.
Solar panels as a way of running your home
With there being more of a focus on energy, you might be wanting to consider some of the more sustainable ways you can power your home. Solar panels are a great way to do this. They can use a sustainable source and create energy to light and heat your home, and the overall cost can be cheaper than standard energy suppliers.
Investing in new windows and doors
Keeping the heat inside your home is essential as it means you use less energy to keep it warm and cosy. However, another way heat can escape is through your windows and doors. Drafts can be problematic as well as damage to glazing. So while it may seem like an investment to make, in the long term it can be the right call. Double and even triple glazing is a great way to ensure that your home keeps the heat in.
Using natural products in the home
It might sound crazy, but there is always a focus around what you can change in your home that helps make it energy efficient, but you also need to think about your overall feelings about it and the bigger picture. So using natural products and also even making up your own cleaning remedies can help you to keep using sustainable products in your home.
Car sharing or using public transport for your commute to work
Car sharing or using public transport is a great way to reduce your own carbon footprint when it comes to the daily commute to work. Driving and then sitting in traffic isn’t very productive, and so using transport like buses and trains,walking or taking up work schemes for things like biking can be a great way to do your bit. Car sharing schemes are also great ways to recuse the carbon footprint and many workplaces will encourage such schemes. It can even help with costs as you could all share towards fuel, etc.
When you drive, drive smarter
When you do drive, and it is inevitable that you will, then try and make wiser choices when it comes to your driving style. It is a great tip to slow down a little, even a little, as overall for each journey you are using less petrol and getting a much better consumption. Which could also save you a little in fuel prices.
Change the bulbs in your home
It may sound like an obvious change to make, but actually some of the most simple changes to your home can be the ones that get forgotten, even if they can make a significant difference. Changing the lightbulbs in your home for more energy efficient ones can be a great way to make some changes to your energy usage. It could be as simple as changing to LED or energy saving bulbs, but make a big difference to how much energy your home uses.
Turn off the lights and change your habits in your home
Finally, on the subject of small changes being forgotten there can be one habit in particular that people overlook every single time when it comes to trying to save energy in their home. Can you guess what it is? Turning off lights and other things that you are not using. Simple but yet one of the most effective ways to save energy. When you put something on standby, you are still using energy, albeit, not a lot, but more than you would if it was completely switched off. Lights can also be left on when not needed.
I hope that highlighting some of the ways you can be doing more for the environment personally has inspired you to make some changes.