How to save the environment from home

By: kelly

TAGS: environment household

Saving the environment from home starts with how you think rather than what you do. I would say I’m a person of conscience. However, I must admit, in the past many of my sustainability habits at home were due to imposed prompts.

One example is recycling. For a long time, recycling cereal boxes and turning off the lights was pretty much my contribution to saving the planet.

You know, my children have been the ones to challenge me most on sustainability in the home. After quite a few choruses of “we need to save the environment Mum,” I was forced to take a hard look at my actions and motivations. My children helped me to see that small changes can really make a difference; now I actively look for ways to save the environment from home. In fact, it’s actually something I enjoy, and gain much satisfaction as I aim for a more self-sufficient household.

I believe sustainability is a way of thinking that translates into action. This can be as easy thinking a little differently, being informed and making new choices. The key is to start small, and grow from there. We can’t all raise chickens and grow carrots, but we can make a difference if we all do what we can.

In the Home

Sustainability in the home is about making small changes to everyday activities

1. Energy

a. Turn off appliances (when not in use): A considerable percentage of power is used by idle appliances. An easy way to turn off many appliances at once (like the DVD player and television) is to have them plugged into a power board or easy-off switch. This way you can turn everything off at the power point.

b. Use rechargeable batteries.

c. Use energy efficient appliances in the home.

d. A moderate sized LED television (with an energy star certification) uses less power than a plasma flat panel television.

e. Install an energy monitor in your home. This is a helpful way to see where you can save energy.

f. Switch your home electricity to Green Power (most electricity companies offer this choice).

g. Consider switching to solar power for the majority of your energy needs.

2. Lighting

a. Use energy efficient bulbs throughout the house. For example: fluorescent light bulbs, halogen light-bulbs or LED light bulbs.

b. Turn lights off when not in use.

3. Water

a. Install water saving shower heads (triple-A rating).

b. Be conscious to save water while showering, brushing teeth and washing dishes.

c. Wash clothes in warm or cold water.

d. Reduce the hot water system thermostat.

e. Consider installing a solar hot water system.

f. Use a dual flush toilet to minimise water waste.

g. Use soaps and detergents that contain no phosphates.

h. Consider a ‘grey water’ system for recycling waste water from the laundry/bathroom.

4. Temperature

a. Insulate your home the best you can.

b. Set air conditioners to 18-20°C in winter and 25°C in summer.

c. Use windows to regulate the temperature according to season.

d. Seal gaps in walls and use draft stoppers under the doors to keep the warmth in.

e. Use window coverings to keep the temperature warm in winter and cool in summer.

5. Recycling

a. Regularly visit second-hand shops.

b. When shopping, ask this question: Do I really need it?

c. Have bills emailed to you.

d. Place a “No Junk Mail” sign on your letterbox.

e. Recycle as much household waste as possible. Check your council guidelines for additional recycling information.

f. Dispose of mobile phones and batteries in the correct manner.

In the Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home but also can be the hub for waste generation.

1. Recycle as much waste as possible.

2. Minimise packaging waste by buying in bulk.

3. Home cleaning

a. Bicarb soda cleans, deodorises, and is a good scouring powder. Use it dry or mixed with a little water. It’s ideal for cleaning the kitchen stove.

b. White vinegar cuts through grease, deodorises and is a mild disinfectant. Mix equal parts of water and vinegar and store in a spray bottle. Ideal for the kitchen bench.

c. Many microfiber cleaning cloths can greatly reduce the amount of chemicals required in the home.

d. For more home cleaning tips for every room of the house visit Viva Cleaning Tips.

4. Food

a. Buy food in season.

b. Use green bags when shopping.

c. Buy vegetables from markets when possible.

d. Eat one meat free meal a week.

e. Choose organic food where possible.

Outside the Home

There are many ways to save the environment from your backyard.

1. Collect household food-scraps to make compost.

2. Consider growing plants in a pot or making a small garden.

3. Alternate using a push mower and a motor lawn-mower. Push mowers are surprising quick for short grass. For longer grass, use an electric or motor lawn-mower.

4. Plant native plants when possible.

5. Mulch gardens to save water evaporation.

6. Water the garden in the early morning or evening.

7. Hang clothes on the line to dry.

8. Install a small water tank. Urban tanks for the home come in a range of sizes; our tanks are about the size of our 3 year old son.

Transport

Transportation contributes a significant proportion of household greenhouse gas emissions, and yet it’s difficult, in many cases, to facilitate sustainable change in this area.

1. If possible, car pool, use public transport and walk or ride to school/work.

2. Drive economically and service your car regularly. Even keeping the tyres properly inflated will help to conserve fuel.

3. Buy a greener car. Visit the Australian Government Green Vehicle Guide for a comprehensive guide.

At school

Many schools have environmentally friendly practices. Here are some ways you can support schools from the home.

1. Use a reusable envelope for school notes. Lopees have an extensive range of reusable school envelopes.

2. If the option is available, subscribe to the school newsletter via email.

3. Aim for litter-less lunch boxes. Below is an example of a litter-less lunch box.

I always feel overwhelmed after reading (or writing) an article like this. There is so much I can be doing to save the environment, and sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. To be honest, I’m probably only doing 30% of the above. But then, compared to the 5% I was doing a year ago, there’s quite a big difference.

Being environmentally friendly at home starts with a change of thinking. We can’t change the world but we make a difference in the way we live life.

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What did I miss? Please leave any tips you have on being environmentally friendly at home.

kelly

Kelly Burstow combines her passion for design, children's books, photography, fashion, writing and parenting in her blog, Be A Fun Mum. Be A Fun Mum is all about reclaiming the enjoyment of parenting, one moment at a time. Kelly lives in Queensland with her husband, four children and far too many guinea pigs.