Tag Archives: earth

Jul1

How To Be Greener In Your Kitchen

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How To Be Greener In Your Kitchen

Most of your resources are used in the kitchen so cooking and food preparation is a great place to start when thinking about sustainability. You can begin your eco-friendly journey with some simple adjustments and using things in different ways throughout the home. Let’s get started:

Use Organic Ingredients:

Foods grown organically contain higher levels of healthy nutrients like antioxidants than foods grown conventionally. Additionally, when you only eat organic foods, your symptoms may lessen or even disappear if you have allergies to certain foods, substances, or preservatives. Organics also contain no pesticides and are sustainable. One of the more sustainable ingredients you can use is hemp oil and rosin extract. These contain CBD but not THC and are, therefore, legally used as ingredients in cannabis food like gummies and flavored chocolate.

Ditch Plastic:

You are probably already aware of how harmful single use plastics are. Dangerous items like food containers, drink can rings, and clothing containing micro plastics are destroying the oceans and wildlife. Over one million seabirds and about 100,000 marine animals are killed yearly by plastic products. Thankfully, switching to more environmentally friendly products is simpler than ever. You could, for instance, use glass jars for storage, paper bags, or boxes for food containers. And only purchase brands that you know use sustainable manufacturing practices.

Replace Older Appliances:

Your energy use and carbon emissions will significantly reduce when you replace older appliances. White goods are an excellent example, like your refrigerator, washer, and dishwasher. This is due to how energy hungry these devices have historically been. Newer models from reliable manufacturers are significantly more effective and adhere to current energy and carbon standards. Switching to more recent models will help reduce carbon emissions significantly. Additionally, you will save a lot of money on your energy bills.

Switch to Natural Cleaners:

Many cleaners for the kitchen and bathroom are made with hazardous materials. In addition, some of the most well known brands have zero sustainability. Fortunately, major producers like Unilever now offer environmentally friendly variations of their popular products and are making strides in changing their manufacturing processes.

Use Renewable Fuels for Cooking:

The oven is the most crucial piece of kitchen equipment. Cooking enhances flavor but, more importantly, it also eliminates moisture that contains bacteria. In order to produce the necessary heat, cookware needs a heating source. Here are some of the greenest cooking fuels:

  • Propane gas is much cleaner and more economical than mains gas.
  • Methane is clean, efficient, and abundant as an energy source.
  • LPG is a mixture of fuels, so it has reduced reliance on fossil fuels.
  • Biofuels are made from food waste and are reused and burned cleanly.
  • Electric can help reduce your emissions if you source renewable energy suppliers.

There are numerous options for clean burning, renewable home cooking. Making the switch will significantly improve your household’s sustainability.

Learn About Portion Control:

Food waste is one of the biggest sources of landfill waste and carbon emissions. Every year, nearly seven million tons of food are wasted in the UK alone, costing the country over £10 billion. If you waste food, buy in portion controlled increments and divide ingredients equally. This is easier to achieve if you plan your weekly or monthly menu and buy the necessary ingredients. Additionally, cooking for your family results in cost savings because you won’t need to purchase unnecessary extras. Or you can subscribe to a meal service like Hello Fresh or Gousto.

Recycle Everything You Can:

All non-recyclable materials are disposed of in landfills. Some waste, like food, can be used to make biofuels. However, most of the rubbish you discard cannot be processed unless processing plants know what it is. Sorting your trash beforehand can significantly assist processing plants. For instance, throwing away a glass bottle in your regular trash can will end up in a landfill and worsen the situation. But if you put it in the right bin, it will be processed for recycling after it is collected. Some countries also fine you for not sorting your waste.

Take Note of What You Can Reuse:

You might not realize it, but most items in your kitchen can be reused. Using reusable carrier bags when grocery shopping alone can help reduce plastic use. In addition, plastic takeout containers work well for storing items in the refrigerator, like cheese. And when you go jogging or hiking, you might think about using recycled plastic bottles as water containers. It’s also important to note that purchasing high quality pots and pans lowers costs. Copper pans from reputable brands will last forever if you look after them.

Not only is living a greener lifestyle better for the environment but it is, often times, better for your wallet too. Use the tips above to help you get started today!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jan9

How To Start Saving The Planet From Your Home

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How To Start Saving The Planet From Your Home

Our planet is starting to become destroyed and is suffering greatly due to climate change and environmental issues. We are using up our resources and overusing elements of energy that are contributing to the damaging environment. The severe weather conditions across the world are being caused by the damage of the ozone layer and it will only get worse if we don’t collectively try to do better and be better. Little things such as starting to recycle and using our cars less will help very much with this. You could look at the following:

Recycle more:

Look at what is recyclable and do it weekly. It is easy to do and is a huge benefit to the environment as it means that less goes to a landfill and more is going to be remade into exciting and beautiful new products that is friendly to the planet. Recycling glass is also possible and some cities offer roadside collection, but be sure to check with your local councils for the best way to get rid of glass. Not only is recycling good for the planet but it can be good for your wallet too. You can often receive cash in hand from recycling facilities that specialize in Scrap Metal. This is a great thing to keep in mind when you are decluttering your home and garage and is a win/win situation: A healthier planet and a cash reward for your cleaning.

Use less water:

Using less water and power in general is going to help keep bills down and help the planet. As previously mentioned, overusing our resources is never good. You must ensure you have reliable water tanks at home and at your business premises or any water systems used across the board, ensuring you have good Sta-Rite well pumps and filters that mean your system can work effectively. Using less water can be easy; take shorter showers, fewer baths, and don’t use your dishwasher as frequently.

Buy sustainably:

Buying sustainable products is going to massively help the environment. If you buy locally, it’s better for the environment and for your local community to bring money to your hometown as well as buying local which means less gas and energy has been used to bring it to you. It is a great way to really help and, of course, buy recycled materials as much as possible and don’t use plastic or paper bags; buy a tote bag that is reusable and probably much more durable!

Eat less meat:

Not only is this a brilliant way to get a little healthier and lower your risk of heart disease and bowel cancer, but cutting down on red meat helps the planet. The less animals slaughtered, the better it is for the planet by less emissions and keeps a better balance in order. There are lots of amazing alternatives, such as vegetarian sausages, fresh fruit and veg, grains, and smoothie bowls. It doesn’t have to be bland!

You will start to see a better, bigger change in how much money you’re spending during the month on your bills and energy; and saving can really help you to be thrifty with your own finances as well as helping the planet! So there you have it, some quick and simple ways to start saving water and energy from your home or business and contribute to making the world a more sustainable and well working planet, for you and future generations.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jan2

Gift Ideas Inspired By Nature

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Gift Ideas Inspired By Nature

When it comes to giving gifts, you can choose to head to a department store and you are sure to get something beautiful and thoughtful. But, sometimes, it’s great to give something a little more meaningful and likely to be treasured and used for longer. When people say natural gifts, it can conjure up all sorts of images and ideas, but if you know someone who cares about the environment, prefers natural products, or has a bit of a hippy heart, then these gifts will be perfect for them. This has the extra bonus of supporting some smaller businesses, too.

“My favorite things often have a story behind them and are usually handmade or discovered at a flea market.” – Amy Sedaris

Handmade soaps:

You will often find with handmade soaps that these are home-based businesses with one person behind the whole range. If you have allergies or your skin doesn’t love some ingredients from mass producers, you’re likely to be able to use these. They are usually 100% organic, packed with pure essential oils, and smell fantastic.

Felt booties:

Slippers or boots handmade from 100% wool, and natural rubber. From farm to foot is a great ethos to live by. Usually made in part by hand and part by machine, you know you’re going to get a lovely product with a lot of care and attention to detail.

Cold water essential oil diffuser:

An essential oil diffuser will disperse gorgeous scents all over the home. You can choose different fragrances depending on what mood you are trying to create. To create a calming environment, especially when someone is feeling run down, use lemon. Lavender is perfect for soothing anxiety and aiding sleep. Cinnamon helps concentration and creates a warm atmosphere. Use Peppermint for brainstorming and boosting energy and Rosemary to help you recall information and ward off headaches.

Metal straws:

Many places have banned single-use plastics and are pushing to only have plastic straws for those who really need them. But, sometimes, sipping a cold drink with a straw is a particular type of bliss. Get your friend (and yourself) a pack of metal straws to do your share in waste reduction.

And, speaking of waste reduction, it is almost impossible to cook a meal without having some waste produced. If your friend doesn’t already compost, now might be the perfect time to start. You could gift them with a large composter for in the garden or a smaller more portable one for the kitchen. A compost pail will help your friend reduce their carbon footprint considerably. Many pails come with charcoal filters, which will help trap and control the odors that are often associated with composting. Once the compost is created, it can be used to grow herbs and more veggies.

Plants are great gifting options, too. Not every eco-friendly person is great at taking care of plants, though. So bear that in mind and perhaps opt for something that is easy to look after. Succulents are very popular right now, have a gorgeous effect on their surroundings, and are easy to care for. Air plants are also wildly popular with people who simply can’t seem to keep anything alive. Tillandsias as they are known, require no soil, and can grow simply by being hot glued to an object. All they need is a mist of water once a week or so.

Solid deodorant:

Ditch the roll-on or spray deodorant for something a little more earth-friendly. You can pick up a pot of solid deodorant made from skin loving ingredients that work hard all day to prevent you from sweating and work just as well as anything you’ll buy in store.

Great tea:

A good cup of tea at the right time can change your life. There are many, many brands of tea but you could spend some extra time looking for handmade teas that have a benefit to the local area or the makers directly. This is a double whammy, as you can also choose a beverage that has health benefits like aiding digestion, heart health, or calming teas. Gift loose leaves with a reusable tea bag for maximum eco-friendliness.

nature1

Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

If your recipient is looking to increase their knowledge in all the ways that they can have a positive impact on the planet, then you should take a look at some of the best books around at the moment. Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life by Reducing Your Waste, by Bea Johnson is a great choice. This Changes Everything – Capitalism vs. Climate is written by Naomi Klein and talks environment and the ‘free market.’ Or, some inspirational literature like Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés, or Wild: A Journey from Lost to Found by Cheryl Strayed.

When it comes to giving gifts, the thought far outweighs the price that has been paid. So get your friend or family member something that will mean a great deal to them while being kind to the world.

Featured Image By: Vladimir Proskurovskiy on Unsplash

May15

Six Ways To Achieve An Eco-Friendly Bathroom

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Six Ways To Achieve An Eco-Friendly Bathroom

Planning a home improvement project soon? Why not try making your bathroom an eco-friendly space? Your bathroom is the room in the house where water use is the highest. The longer you stay in the bathroom, the more water you use and the more energy for heating, lighting, and ventilating is used, too. This all translates to skyrocketing water and energy bills every month.

With the bleak forecast about global water and energy scarcity, there’s no better time than the present to gradually transform your home into an eco-friendly space; and the bathroom is the perfect place to start. Here are six ways to achieve an eco-friendly bathroom:

Install Low-Flow Faucet Aerators:

Faucet aerators are fixtures that are capped on the faucet opening to reduce water use, control its flow, prevent splashing, and increase perceived water pressure. How does it work? Faucet aerators save water (and therefore, save you money on water bills) by introducing air into the water flow, so there’s less water flowing but still enough to wash things.

With a low-flow faucet aerator, you can reduce rate of water flow from 2.5 gallons per minute (standard faucets) to as little as 0.5 gallons per minute. That’s saving about 80 percent of water every minute the tap is on.

Faucet aerators are affordable and easy to install. You can get one for $5 to $10 dollars, depending on the brand and features added to the aerator. When buying the a low-flow aerator, make sure you have the right size and one that is compatible with your faucet. Installing the new aerator only takes a few minutes. Just unscrew the old one using a wrench, turn on the tap to wash away debris, and cap on the new aerator. Make sure not to apply too much force to avoid damaging your faucet.

Change To A Low-Flow Showerhead:

Do you like taking long showers every day? If the answer is yes, then you’ve found the primary culprit for your skyrocketing water bills. Standard showerheads use from 2.5 to 4 gallons of water per minute. So every time you shower for 30 minutes, you’re using about 75 to 120 gallons of water. That’s 15 to 24 times more water used than the average person in a developing country. (The statistics is 20 liters of water or 5.3 gallons per person.) When you change to a low-flow showerhead, you save one-half to two gallons of water every minute you shower. Of course, this only works well when you cut down on your shower time, too.

Now, if you don’t have a low-flow showerhead but you’re noticing a change in water pressure this could be a sign of a water pump problem. This is something you will want to get looked at by a professional. If you’re handy and experienced with this type of repair, however, you might be able to use a guide like this https://www.ronix.ir/mag/home-water-pump-installation-guide/ to install a new water pump if it’s needed.

Go For A Water-Efficient Toilet:

Old toilets are one of the biggest water wasters in your house. They consume about 3.5 to 7 gallons of water per flush, which is a lot for one use. In contrast, new toilets only use an average of 1.6 gallons per flush. If you want an eco-friendly bathroom, then you may want to switch to a water-efficient macerating toilet.

Water-efficient or low-flow toilets save more than regular modern toilets. Some models can go as low as one gallon for every flush. Getting one with a macerating pump also helps with preventing toilet clogging, which saves you from expensive plumbing bills.

Use Energy-Efficient Light Fixtures:

The bathroom is the place where you do most of your grooming, like shaving and doing makeup. These are delicate activities that need good lighting to avoid injury or mess-ups. However, inefficient light bulbs are some of the chief reasons for high electricity bills.

For places like the bathroom, that require good lighting, use energy-efficient light bulbs. These include compact fluorescent lamps, light emitting diodes (LEDs), and halogen incandescents. Energy-efficient light fixtures can last 3 to 25 times longer than traditional light bulbs and save from 25 to 80 percent more energy, making them the eco-friendly choice.

Not only is swapping out for energy-efficient lighting fixtures a money saver, but it will also give the space a mini makeover. While choosing more eco-friendly options for your bathroom, you might want to do a full fledged remodel altogether. This is something that a professional team should assist you with. To begin researching experts, simply enter a search for “bath remodel twin cities” (or your local area) to transform your bathroom into both an eco-friendly and inviting space.

Switch To An Energy-Efficient Exhaust Fan:

Ventilation is essential to keeping your bathroom clean, odor-free, and mold-free. A constantly damp bathroom is conducive for mold growth. However, when you ventilate your bathroom after use, you remove excess moisture and inhibit the buildup of mold spores.

There are two ways to ventilate your bathroom. You can either open the window and door or use an exhaust fan. An exhaust fan consumes energy and can result in mounting energy bills when used too often. It’s not always ideal to open windows and doors, too. Open bathroom windows may invite unscrupulous people (or bugs) in your home while open doors will just transfer the odor (and whatever else is in the air) into another part of the house.

Since you can’t do away with ventilating your bathroom, you can use an energy-efficient fan. To find one, search for an Energy Star-rated model and get 60 percent energy savings compared to standard vent fans.

Choose Eco-Friendly Cleaning Supplies:

Many cleaning products available in the market today contain harmful chemicals that are dangerous to your health and bad for the environment. Their ingredient includes phtalates present in air fresheners, dish soap, and some toilet papers. Phtalates are harmful to the endocrine system can and reduce a man’s sperm count.

Harmful chemicals, like perchloroethylene (Perc), triclosan, 2-butoxyethanol, and ammonia, attack your health and negatively impact the environment, and they’re common ingredients in many household cleaners.

Avoid these chemicals by opting for eco-friendly products or homemade products that are proven to have no harmful effects. You can consult the non-profit Environment Working Group for a list of cleaning products to avoid.

Take The First Step:

Wasting water and energy has far reaching impact to the environment and the earth’s resources. With global warming, climate change, and scarcity hitting the world in all corners, it’s high time for people to take action to reverse the damage that’s been done to the earth. Converting your bathroom into an eco-friendly space is the first step to building a more sustainable environment for you and your family. Why not start now?

Featured Image By: Pixabay