Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Reduce Your Energy and Water Consumption
• Method 2 of 3: Reduce Plastic and Waste
• Method 3 of 3: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
• Tips

If you want to help the environment but don't know where to start, then make a few small changes in your life first. To save money on utilities and reduce energy consumption, learn how to heat, cool, and light your home more efficiently. Reduce the amount of waste you generate by limiting the amount of plastic in your home. When shopping for items that are usually wrapped in plastic, choose sustainable options and think ahead. Plus, you can easily reduce your carbon footprint by purchasing only what you need.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Reduce Your Energy and Water Consumption

1. 1 Adjust the air conditioner or battery to save space heating and cooling costs. Consume less energy during the hot summer months and cold winter seasons by keeping your heating and electricity bills in check. In the summer, set your air conditioner (if you have one) to a temperature of 25 ° C when you are at home, and lower it when you leave. If you can control the temperature of the batteries, set it to 20 ° C and lower it by 5-10 degrees when you sleep or when you leave the house.
   • Use fans to cool your home or keep warm air circulating with heaters.
   • To stay warm in winter, wear a warm sweater or another layer of clothing instead of raising the temperature of the batteries (if you can adjust it).
2. 2 Replace your burned-out light bulbs with CFLs. To avoid unnecessary costs, wait until the light bulb burns out before changing it. When changing light bulbs, select options with the same wattage as well as those that meet the International Consumer Product Energy Efficiency Standard (Energy Star). They use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and produce 75% less heat.
   • This will help reduce your electricity bills during the summer season.
3. 3 Turn off lights and unplug power cords not in use. This is an easy way to reduce your energy consumption. Since some devices can still draw power even when they are turned off, plug chargers, televisions, and electronic devices into surge protectors. Turn them off at night to completely stop energy consumption.
   • If you need to leave your computer, TV, or game console on, try putting it to sleep.
4. 4 Set taps and toilets to low water flow. Reduce water consumption by installing a water restrictor (aerator) on the taps and replacing the shower head with a low-flow version. This will save 11 to 15 liters of water every minute while the water is flowing. If you are changing your toilet, choose the low flush option to save thousands of liters of water per year.
   • Remember to fix leaking taps or toilets as soon as you notice dripping water.
   • To reduce water and heating costs, shower for no longer than five minutes. If you prefer to take a bath, fill it only half or three-quarters full.
5. 5 Wash clothes in cold water and dry on a rope. Set your washing machine to cold or warm water instead of hot. As more energy is wasted in drying, do not use this function and hang the washed clothes on the clothesline. If you don't have room for your rope, or if you can't hang your clothes outside, get a tumble dryer that can be laid out in your home.
   • Try running an extra spin cycle to squeeze more water out of your garment. This will dry it faster.
6. 6 Use public transport. Reduce gasoline consumption and carbon emissions by walking, cycling or bus riding. Fewer cars in crowded cities will also help improve air quality. Invite your friends to take turns giving each other a ride when you need to drive somewhere, so there are fewer cars on the road.

Method 2 of 3: Reduce Plastic and Waste

1. 1 Use reusable water bottles and coffee glasses. Plastic water bottles and coffee cups create a lot of waste. Rather than throwing away the glass or bottle of your last drink, bring a container with you to draw water from the drinking fountain or give it to the barista at the coffee shop. Many coffee shops even offer discounts to those who come with their own glass.
   • Try to choose a reusable bottle made from an environmentally friendly material such as glass, bamboo, or ceramic.
2. 2 Say no to unnecessary plastic tubes, lids and bags. If you know that you are buying a drink, to which you will be given a plastic straw, when ordering, inform that you do not need it. Please ask companies not to pack your products in plastic bags. Instead, carry your own reusable shopping bags, especially if you're shopping for groceries.
   • If you order food to go often, tell the restaurant employee or the clerk in the fast food van that you want to pack the food in your own containers. Thus, by eliminating plastic utensils, a Styrofoam or plastic container, and paper napkins and plastic bags, you will reduce your plastic consumption.
   SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   

   Susan stocker

   
   
   Green Cleaning Specialist Susan Stoker is the owner and manager of Susan's Green Cleaning, Seattle's number one green cleaning company. Well known in the region for its exceptional customer service protocols (won the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics and Integrity) and its strong support for sustainable cleaning practices.

   Susan stocker
   The Green Cleaning Specialist

   Our specialist agrees: “Do you want your lifestyle to be greener? Then stop buying disposable containers, straws and utensils. Also, buy in bulk as often as possible to use fewer bags and recycle whatever you can. "

3. 3 Buy items wrapped in paper instead of cardboard. Choose items with a minimum of packaging that can be easily recycled. For example, buy laundry detergent in a cardboard box instead of the liquid detergent that comes in a large plastic bag. Or purchase bulk items if possible.
   • For example, put a few individual apples in the basket instead of buying them in a plastic wrap with a plastic tie.
4. 4 Choose reusable toiletries. Instead of shaving with disposable razors, spend your money on a razor with a removable blade. To save on waste, start using reusable pads that you can wear and wash during your menstrual cycle. You can also opt for menstrual cups to avoid creating additional waste during these days.
   • You can also cut down on waste in your bathroom without buying travel-sized sanitary ware. They usually consist of a lot of packaging and plastics that are difficult to recycle.
5. 5 Stop using cling film and plastic containers for storing food. Buy a bento box, pans, or lunchbox to store your meals. Place leftover food in glass containers instead of plastic bags and cover food with reusable wax wrap instead of cling film.
   • Don't forget to take your jars with you when you go to the grocery store. They can be filled with bulk products so as not to take the packaging.

Method 3 of 3: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

1. 1 Use things more than once. To reduce waste, do not throw away useful items after one use. Better to reuse them or find other uses for them. For example, do not throw away the paper food bag, but save it and use it a few more times. Or cut open the bag and flatten it so that you can wrap something in this paper later. Once the package is no longer useful, recycle it.
   • For example, instead of throwing away wrapping paper and ribbons, use them as materials to decorate your scrapbook.
2. 2 Give things that you no longer need. Ask friends and family if they need items that you no longer want to keep. It's a good idea to put your bag aside and put unnecessary items in it. When it's full, ask friends and family members to borrow what they want, or donate the content to charity.
   • Some thrift stores and thrift stores offer a discount on your next purchase if you donate items to them.
3. 3 Save and reuse packaging. Use plastic food containers to store leftover food, or leave old bread bags to hold baked goods in them. Do not throw away the waxed bags found in cracker or cereal boxes, and use them as an interlayer to keep foods from sticking together. For example, place a waxed bag between your finished burgers.
   • Leave empty diaper boxes and store tissues, toys, or crayons in them.
   • Plant small plants in old cans and bottles. Break the garden!
4. 4 Buy used items. If you need to purchase clothing, household items, books, or appliances, buy the used ones instead of ordering new ones. This will save on resources and packaging. To buy used items, check:
   • commission and antique shops;
   • flea markets;
   • advertisements in local newspapers;
   • and also ask your neighbors if they would like to exchange any things with you.
5. 5 Dispose of materials that cannot be reused. Check with your nearest recycling company what they accept. Some companies accept things for recycling in one waste bin, while others require it to be sorted. For example, you can mix paper, cardboard, and recyclable metal, but you need to store the glass separately.
   • Typically, cans, paper, cardboard, plastic containers, metals and glass can be recycled.
6. 6 Compost food waste instead of being sent to a landfill or incinerator. You can make a positive contribution to the environment as well as improve the soil in your garden thanks to the compost heap. Do not compost meat, citrus fruits, tea bags, and fish. In turn, you can compost:
   • cuttings and leaves;
   • leftover vegetables;
   • remnants of fruits and their peels;
   • eggshells;
   • coffee grounds.

Tips

• Encourage friends and family to help the environment too! Share your eco-friendly steps on social media and challenge your friends to change their habits.
• Plant trees around your home to improve air quality and provide shelter for animals.