6 Sustainability Practices You Can Follow At Home

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Over the years, more and more people have come round to the idea that everyone has a responsibility to save Mother Earth. And living sustainably is one great step.

Sustainability is a daily decision. It entails an overhaul of one’s mindset, behavior, and decision-making. To live sustainably means deciding every day that you will reduce your usage of the Earth’s natural resources.

Your own home is the perfect way to start and sustain such noble actions. Below are some simple sustainability practices you can follow at home.

Maximize Natural Light

Making use of natural light can make your home look more appealing and brighter, aside from helping you conserve energy and save on your electricity bill. Plan simple home renovations that “open up” your home and make way for sunlight. Skylights, for example, are a great way to get natural light in parts of your home that do not have windows. A simple trick can also help spread sunlight around your home: prop a mirror on the wall right across a window.

As for light bulbs, use energy-efficient ones, such as those with Light Emitting Diode (LED) and Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL).

Avoid Plastic As Much As You Can

Billions of pounds of plastic waste rest on our ocean floors today. It is a step in the right direction to avoid plastic whenever possible. There are many ways to reduce plastic waste at home. You can start by using cloth bags instead of plastic or paper bags when shopping. Avoid single-use water bottles, jars, straws, and plastic bags. As much as possible, choose unwrapped produce at the grocery store. 

Styrofoam packaging is also hard to avoid. But if you have to use Styrofoam, whether for business or personal use, get it from suppliers that follow sustainable practices in manufacturing. Some make compostable foam — a much better choice than the regular alternative.

Use Natural Cleaning Products and Cosmetics

Nowadays, you can easily purchase cleaning products pre-made with natural ingredients in grocery stores and supermarkets. Avoiding the use of chemicals is good for the environment. If you have kids or pets at home, it also makes cleaning easier and safer. You can clean the house even when they’re around because there are no harmful chemicals to worry about. You can even make your own cleaning agents at home. Most recipes include vinegar and baking soda, so make sure you always have these ingredients under the sink. 

A lot of the companies that make cosmetic products still test on animals. You can refuse to contribute to that practice by making your own or using natural products. Coconut oil makes a great moisturizer. You can also make your own shampoo and deodorant. There are plenty of resources online that can help you make them.

Use Your Car Less Frequently

If driving is necessary, you can take small steps to cut back on your car usage. You can do this by optimizing your schedule for errands and integrating cycling and walking as regular means of transportation. If you live in the city, chances are, there are amenities within walking distance — ditch the car keys and walk to them.

When moving, consider the neighborhood’s “walk score.” A “walk score” is simply an indicator of how close your home is to supermarkets, parks, schools, gyms, and the like.

Grow Your Own Veggies

If you have a yard, you might as well make good use of it! Grow your own food. Imagine not having to run to the store because you needed a handful of basil leaves for a pasta dish. It’s always a nice feeling to be self-sufficient in that sense.

Put your food waste to good use and start composting. This will help you grow your veggies and fruits in the yard better, making your gardening even more sustainable.

If you don’t have a yard, you can join and support your local community garden. Get in contact with the organisers and learn how you can contribute.

Make Use of the Sun and Rain

Consider solar power. Solar panels are a great long-term investment. They will reduce your reliance on energy providers. Solar panels do not use harmful materials to source their energy — they don’t use any other resources. There are also places where local electricity providers pay solar panel owners because their panels generate more power.

Install rainwater tanks. If it frequently rains where you are, you can collect rainwater and use it for purposes like watering your garden.

Both investments are good for the environment, and can help you save on your utility bills.

Final Thoughts

The list above outlines just a few sustainability practices to try. But living sustainably is a daily, conscious choice that requires commitment. If you live in a multiple-person household, support and accountability surrounding sustainability, is important.

by Katreena Sarmiento

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