We’ve all seen Blue Planet 2. We’ve heard the scientist’s warnings on the radio. And as a result, the national consciousness is finally shifting into greener hues – and for good reason. With the realisation that the world’s resources are finite, people are looking at ways to behave in a more mindful way towards the environment. From reducing our everyday plastic usage to choosing vehicles that are better for the environment, there are so many ways we can help and be part of the green revolution. With this in mind here are 4 IDEAL eco-friendly home habits to adopt today.
TURN OFF YOUR LIGHT BULBS
Always turn off the lights when leaving the room. New research has revealed that Brits are wasting billions on unnecessary electricity consumption. The research, conducted by contemporary homeware and furniture retailer Utility Design, as reported by Real Homes, found that £4.4 billion is being spent by Brits each year in relation to unnecessary electricity use in home lighting. Moreover, as a result, we’re creating a crazy amount of carbon dioxide emissions every day, comparable to numerous round the world flights.
For more on the shocking revelations of the study, check out our article on 4 IDEAL reasons to be mindful and switch off your lights. The statistics in the research are overwhelming and this study goes to show that it’s worth remaining vigilant around the house by switching off unused lights in order to save money and protect the environment.
DON’T WASTE WATER
Excessive water use is a drain on the bills and the globe. So first things first, get any leaks fixed. You should only use water in your home when you absolutely need to because otherwise, you are just being wasteful. Indeed, most of us don’t even realise how much water we use when flushing a toilet or filling up a glass of water at the sink. In fact, the average person in the UK uses 150 litres of water every day. Moreover, much of the water we use is heated and according the National Trust around 30 per cent of the average household gas bill is spent on heating. Therefore, by saving water you’ll be saving energy and this in turn will reduce your carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
TURN YOUR GARDENS GREEN
One of the easiest ways that people can help the environment and reduce pollution on an individual level is by turning their gardens green, or rather, greener. While you may think that your garden isn’t big enough to make a difference, you’re wrong. Whatever the size of your garden, it has the potential to help the environment. Moreover, if everyone became regular green fingers and invested more time in their backyards, then our combined efforts could have a big impact. From planting more plants to growing your own fruit and veg or even adding a pond, there are plenty of ways to help nature and turn your garden into an environmental asset.
RECYCLE & COMPOST
Don’t let your leftovers rot in a landfill site, instead create your own compost. Actively composting your waste is one of the eco-friendliest things you can do. It reduces landfill waste and therefore incineration, and subsequently carbon emissions. What’s more, composting is good for the land and encourages biodiversity as the space becomes a home for creepy crawlies and as such, the rest of the food chain. Compost heaps makes for great fertiliser as well, and it can do wonders for your lawn. And remember it’s not just fruit and veg waste you can put in your compost; nearly all of your food waste can be used to create compost as well as egg shells, egg boxes and even cardboard boxes, too.