Small Sustainable Steps That Can Have A Big Impact
Sustainability is a hot topic. As things start to open back up after coronavirus, there’s a lot of questions about the best way to rebuild the economy. But life under lockdown made us all do a lot of things differently. It hasn’t always been easy. Some of those small sustainable changes are great for the environment. And it seems we’re happy to keep doing what we’re now doing to make sure the recovery is a green one.
We all have our part to play to fight climate change before it’s too late to do anything about it. And hopefully one positive outcome of lockdown is that it’s shown just how easy sustainability can be. But there’s always more we can do to help save the planet. All it takes is a little nudge in the right direction. So, here are some awesome – and simple – steps you can take yourself.
Small Sustainable Steps That Can Have A Big Impact
Be bright about how you use your lights
LED lightbulbs use as much as 90% less energy than traditional options, which is a really fast way to cut your carbon footprint. They also last longer too, so you won’t have to replace them as much. But that’s still no excuse to leave lights on if you’re not using them. So, don’t forget to switch them off when you leave a room or go out.
Hiring qualified professionals for LED lighting installation and maintenance can make a substantial difference in its efficiency and performance. Certified lighting technicians make sure that your lighting systems are set up correctly, optimizing energy savings while meeting safety regulations. Also, they offer tailored advice on which options best suit your space when considering factors like brightness, color temperature, and placement. Expert maintenance can extend the lifespan of your LEDs, catch any issues early, and keep everything functioning at peak performance.
Is it all in full and proper working order?
We have loads of pipes and cables running around our home, which do a super job of keeping taps running and electrics working. But when something doesn’t work properly, it won’t be as efficient as it can be. So, think about getting things like your boiler serviced on a regular basis to keep it in good health.
Giving yourself plenty of food for thought In 2018, did you know that we wasted 9.5 million tonnes worth of food in the UK each year. It almost defies belief! Not only is that a mega waste of food (and money), but it ends up in your local landfill site. And, when that happens, it creates even more CO2. It’s the reason why food waste makes up 8% of all global greenhouse gases.
Keep you and your home well-insulated
Insulation doesn’t have to be difficult. And there are so many reasons why it’s such a fantastic thing to do. It keeps the heat in and the cold out, which is a big plus when it’s freezing outside. But it also means you don’t need to use as much energy to heat your home, which lowers your bills. And less of it escapes into the atmosphere.
Reuse and recycle as much as you can
Recycling is one of the quickest ways to live a more sustainable life. It’s really easy to separate things like cardboard and glass from your regular waste. The more you recycle, the more that’s given a new lease of life. And it’s easy to buy a bag for life on your next supermarket shop that means you no longer need all those plastic bags next time you go shopping.
Additionally, investing in refurbished all-in-one computers not only promotes environmental sustainability but also allows you to save money while still obtaining reliable and functional electronic devices.
Recycling is small sustainable change that is very important as waste has a huge negative impact on the natural environment
Go local with your shopping and services
Under lockdown, the number of people buying locally-grown produce went up to nearly half of all Brits. It can be really good to know that you’re supporting businesses in your own area for one. But think about how far those products didn’t need to travel too!
Have a sustainable period
Periods aren’t particularly great for the planet. Thousands of used tampons and applicators wash up on beaches around the world every day. The majority of period products are not recyclable and with people who menstruate having on average 450 periods over their lifetime switching to a more sustainable period product is a small step that could have a big impact.
Plant trees
By absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, trees help to combat climate change. You can plant trees in your own garden or pay someone like Ecologi to plant trees across the planet. Ecologi is a subscription service that allows individuals, families and businesses to go climate positive – they plant trees and invest money into projects to remove greenhouse gasses for as little as £1.25 ( $1.50) per week.
More Small Sustainable Changes
22 Ways To Save Money & The Environment
Reasons To Support Local Businesses
Best Sustainable Period Products
These are just some small sustainable ideas that you can use to make your lifestyle more sustainable. If we all do our bit, it’ll be fantastic for the planet and for us living on it. If we take one positive from life under lockdown, it’s that doing things like this are super easy – and can even be fun too. More importantly, it can all fit in with how you do things and won’t ever feel like a chore.
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