We all want to reduce our ecological footprint and live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. But putting this into practice can seem a little daunting at first. There is so much that needs to be done to fight climate change, that saving the environment can be an overwhelming task.
In reality, we all have the power to help support our environment in small ways in our day-to-day lives. There are plenty of easy hacks you can start implementing today in your home, to help save the environment, and money! Read on to get started.
TAKE PAPER TOWELS OFF YOUR GROCERY LIST
Paper towels are a notoriously wasteful product that can so easily be replaced by using tea towels or smaller kitchen cloths. Many sustainability-focused brands have created reusable paper towel replacements that have been designed to be rolled onto a paper towel holder for ease of use. Instead of throwing out countless paper towels, simply wash and reuse.
TURN OFF THE TAP
Turning off the tap when you don’t need it is another easy way to save the environment and your water bill. When brushing your teeth and washing with soap in the shower, don’t just leave the water running – switch the tap off until you need it again.
INSTALL A WATER SAVING SHOWERHEAD
Standard showerheads use about 15-25 litres of water per minute. In stark contrast, a three-star rated water saving showerhead will only use 6-7 litres per minute. Opting for a water saving showerhead will save your water bill, and reduce your water waste.
REDUCE FOOD WASTE
Food waste is a global issue, but it’s also one that we all have the power to fight. Organic matter in landfill contributes to methane emissions, not to mention that throwing out unused food is a waste of your money.
To reduce food waste, save your vegetable peels to make stock and stew. All you need to do is simmer the peels for 1-2 hours in salted water, then store in the fridge or freezer. Also, plan out your meals before you go grocery shopping, to make sure you only buy what you need.
CUT YOUR DISHWASHING TABLETS IN HALF
This hack will have your dishwashing tablets last twice as long, and will leave your dishes just as clean! Marketing for dishwashing tablet brands will (unsurprisingly) have you think otherwise, to boost their profits. This hack is best for powdered dishwashing tablets – could be a little messy with the liquid ones!
HANG OUT YOUR CLOTHES
Hanging out your clothes to dry is a no-brainer. Your clothes will not only last longer, but it saves your electricity bill by not using the dryer and you reduce your energy consumption. For rainy days, purchase a mobile clothes airer, like this affordable one from Kmart, and leave inside. When the sun comes out again, you can move your mobile dryer back outside.
REUSABLE BAKING SHEETS
Baking paper is another household item that lends itself to mass waste. Luckily, we now have an easy replacement with reusable baking sheets. Sure, they’re pricier than a single purchase of baking paper, but compared to years and years of repeated purchases of baking paper, you’ll save far more money, and waste far less paper!
WASH CLOTHES WITH COLD WATER
Up to 90% of the energy used to wash clothes is just used to heat the water! In most cases, cold water with a good detergent will do the trick. When it comes to your laundry, there are a few more tricks to reducing your waste. Like dishwashing tablets, using half the recommended amount stipulated by detergent companies is more than enough. Also, try to only wash your clothes once you have a full load. Unless you have a strong affinity for washing (can we borrow some of that motivation?), surely that won’t be too hard!
SELECT ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES
When you’re due to replace an old appliance, be selective and opt for one with a good energy rating. This can save a significant amount on your electricity bills, and your greenhouse gas emissions.
OPT FOR DOUBLE GLAZED WINDOWS AND DOORS
Double glazed windows and doors keep the heat out in summer and the warmth in during winter. That means you’ll be running your air conditioner and heaters less. On the hot days in summer, this might just allow you to set your temperature just one degree higher. While this seems like a small step, it can substantially decrease your energy consumption and electricity bill.
CHECK YOUR LIGHTBULBS
Are you using energy efficient light bulbs? Lighting accounts for around 10% of a household’s electricity bill. Switching to energy efficient light bulbs is therefore one of the quickest ways to reduce your bill, and save energy. Opting for LED lights is a fantastic option. While they generally cost more at purchase, they use about a quarter of the energy sucked up by standard bulbs, and can last 20 times longer.
MEATLESS MONDAY
We hardly need to be eating meat at every meal, or every day, to meet our nutritional needs. Queensland is Australia’s worst perpetrator of deforestation. Our widespread land clearing provides pasture for agriculture. Concerningly, methane emissions from livestock account for about 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
A simple step you can take today is to reduce your meat consumption. You might like to do this by implementing a ‘Meatless Monday’ and substituting meat for alternatives like tofu, chickpeas or lentils.
BECOME YOUR BEST ECO-FRIENDLY SELF
These eco-friendly tips are great places to start your eco-friendly journey. Transitioning to a more sustainable lifestyle is not as complicated as it may seem. At Energy Efficient Windows Australia, we have witnessed this first hand. Our range of stylish, sturdy thermally efficient steel reinforced uPVC double glazed windows and doors have been built to last. Our range has helped countless Aussie’s to cut down on their electricity bills and make a difference towards saving our environment.
If you’d like to learn more about our packages and affordable prices, get in touch with our friendly team today. In the meantime, check out the unseen benefits of double glazing here.
