Sat Aug 19

Tiny lifestyle changes that have a positive impact on the environment

Protecting the environment is no longer a faraway activity, something abstract that has nothing to do with the life and experiences of the regular person but something everyone must be involved in. The worsening climate crisis has led to the development of massive heat waves that, in turn, exacerbate wildfires and drought, creating food shortages and leaving countless people without a home. The amount of plastic in the oceans has raised concerns about the ingestion of microplastics with food and water, as well as their negative impact on health.

If things stay the same, the planet will soon become so hot that many areas will become uninhabitable. It is just the beginning of an ecological disaster that will impact biodiversity and human lives on an unprecedented scale. That’s why everybody needs to do their part to protect the environment since even the tiniest effort adds up. Here are some habits you can adopt into your own life that reduce your carbon footprint.

Waste Management

The average Australian produces approximately ten kilograms of rubbish every single week. That amounts to around 540 kg of waste per household. Of the sixty-seven million tonnes of waste, almost twenty-two end up in landfills, never to be recycled. Anything that is disposed of in this manner instead of being recycled contributes to the creation of greenhouse gases that warm the planet even further.

It’s not just the household waste that you should be concerned about. If you’re a small business owner, there are several things you should be aware of as well. While it can be challenging to get all your employees accustomed to recycling, it’s crucial to comply with environmental regulations. You can even opt for used balers & compactors for sale, devices that have been refurbished and include a warranty just like a brand-new product.

But what are some of the things you can do to reduce the amount of waste you create in the first place? The most obvious solution is to avoid single-use containers of any kind. The ones holding food and beverages are the most common culprits. Both households and workplaces deal with this issue, and avoiding them as much as possible saves a lot of waste. Napkins, disposal utensils and straws can all be quickly swapped for the reusable alternative.

Water bottle

Staying hydrated throughout the day is very important. But getting a new plastic water bottle anytime you need a drink isn’t just bad for the environment, it can hurt your finances as well. The same applies for coffee cups. Even if you get the recyclable alternative, switching to the reusable alternative is still better.

When you purchase a reusable bottle, the upfront costs will undoubtedly be higher, but you’ll save much more money in the long run. How long it will last largely depends on the material. The ones made from plastic will last about a year, while the ones made from steel or glass can last for a decade or longer if you know how to take care of them. It’s not just their extended lifespan that you should be aware of, but also the fact that these materials are safer and don’t leach toxic pollutants into water or beverages. They will also keep your drinks colder or hotter for longer, so you can enjoy your drink later during the day as well.

They’re easy to carry around and can fit into your backpack or bag without the risk of cracking or crunching, as happens with single-use plastic bottles.

Buy second hand

Shopping is one of the things that impact the environment the most through the use of natural resources and raw materials, the energy and fuel required to transport the goods over long distances, as well as the potentially hazardous chemicals that go into the manufacturing process. Shopping for locally-made products can alleviate some of these concerns, but buying previously used items is also essential.

It takes about 2,700 litres of water to make one t-shirt. That’s the rough equivalent of how much a person drinks in 900 days. A pair of jeans guzzles a lot of water, too, approximately 6813 litres. When you opt for the second-hand alternative, you don’t use any resources, as they were already used once to create the garment. When a clothing item gets continuous use, that’s a better use of the resources than if it had been thrown away. Most of the second-hand clothes are in mint condition anyways.

You also have a better chance of finding something unique but which also fits your style much better. Browsing through vintage shops takes more than just picking something off the rack at the mall. You also help smaller enterprises in this way and give your community a hand. What’s more, it’s not just clothing that you can buy second-hand. Furniture items and books are frequent additions in vintage stores.

You might also have the chance to test your creativity and refashion these items to suit your tastes. For instance, you can reupholster armchairs or sofas or modify clothing that’s too wide or long for you.

Electricity

Your household uses a lot of power. It can be challenging to imagine exactly how much, and the amount will undoubtedly be more considerable in homes with more people than in those of people who live alone. Regardless, everybody can make a few alterations that reduce their overall consumption. Switching your light bulbs for a newer, more energy-efficient option can drastically reduce costs.

The same goes for older appliances. While it’s good to use your things extensively, you should make the switch if something can be replaced with a more efficient alternative. According to data, if every household in the United States switched their light bulbs, it would be the rough equivalent of removing one million cars from the road.

It’s also not enough to turn off all electrical appliances when you don’t use them. They can and still do use energy. To avoid the waste, make sure to unplug them. Although it can seem like an insignificant thing to remove your charger from the power strip, it can have a significant influence.

Even small changes can impact the environment, and it’s important to adopt them into your daily life.