Living sustainably? Easier than you think!
Sustainable living is the practice of reducing your demand for natural resources by making sure that you replace what you use to the best of your ability. Sustainable practices, while vital, can often be difficult to achieve in modern society, especially when placed against a bustling lifestyle. In light of it being sustainable living month, we decided to find you the series of little changes that can be practically implemented in your home but will have a big impact on our environment and mother Earth.
- Ditch plastic whenever you can
- Taking millions of years to decompose, plastic never goes away. It creates a huge pollution problem, especially for the ocean and marine life.
- Try to replace plastic in your life with glass, ceramic, metal, and wood – for example, if you need to buy water, always try for ones packaged in glass. Pack your lunch in metal containers, and always refuse plastic bags in stores.
- Be mindful of your water usage
- Something as simple as taking shorter showers can have a huge impact. Wait to do your washing, whether it be clothes or dishes until you have enough for a decent load.
- Stop junk mail
- Refuse to take part in senseless overprinting and wastage by installing a sign by your letterbox or signing up to do-not-send services such as https://www.adma.com.au/do-not-mail.
- Watch your energy usage
- Household energy usage is one of the biggest culprits of wasteful practice
- Unplug devices when not use – it really does make a difference!
- Use daylight as much as possible. Open those curtains and take full advantage of this free, natural resource. Try to utilise rooms that receive the best amount of light around dawn and dusk.
- Switch to energy-efficient light globes such as CFL – not only will this save you a significant amount on your next energy bill, they also last longer, reducing waste in landfills.
- Start using natural cleaners - LEARN MORE
- Not only will you reduce the amount of packaging being produced, but you are also reducing the number of chemicals being introduced into the water system.
- Water, vinegar, and bicarb soda will clean most things, and most health food stores now stock all-natural cleaners.
- Naturalise your sleep cycle
- By attuning your sleep cycle to the earth, you will not only enjoy a variety of health benefits but will also reduce energy usage at night.
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
- A well-known phrase by now, it nevertheless remains a mainstay for everyday life – keeping it simple is a sure-fire way to success!
Posted 15 February 2017
