As we look at the climate, the earth, and the environment, many people are migrating to a sustainable lifestyle. According to the CDC, there are numerous ways to take a lofty ideal of a ‘sustainable lifestyle’ into practical, tangible steps.
Are you wondering what you can do to ‘go green’ and adopt a sustainable lifestyle.
Here are the top tips to start doing right away.
Make Your Home Sustainable
There’s no question that sustainable homes are good for your health, good for the environment, and a great way to save money.
If you’re looking for help with making your home green, check out local contractors. Services such as Networx reviews offer direct access to contractors who are verified and ready to help you make your home healthy and energy-efficient.
Many homeowners are looking for opportunities to save money, and while DIY projects are appealing, they can be stress-provoking. By working with a professional, you’ll be able to quickly modify your home with updates for a healthier lifestyle.
Amongst the top green choices for homes are: tankless and on-demand water heaters. They can save up to 30% on energy consumption compared with old-school heaters.
Additionally, insulation can transform the amount you spend on air conditioning and heating. With smart insulation, you’ll watch your power bills go down, and your comfort and ease go up.
Professional contractors can advise you on how to weatherproof your home. This may help to prevent air leaks, drafts, and improve both heating and cooling efficiency. Some of these changes are easy to do yourself, such as caulking or sealing. Others may be more labor-intensive and benefit from the expertise of a professional remodeler.
While looking around your home, consider your use of water. Many homeowners and renters find that they can reduce water usage by installing low-flow faucets, toilets, and showerheads. Additionally, choosing plants that have a low water requirement can reduce water usage for plants.
Choose Sustainable Foods
As we eat food, our daily choices have a tremendous impact on our health, our community, and the environment.
Sustainable foods are usually available at local farmer’s markets, natural grocers, and even in your backyard.
Many communities are expanding community gardens to encourage residents to grow their food, steer clear of pesticides, and build strong communities. When choosing to focus on sustainability, you can often make choices that are healthier as well as more cost-effective.
During the COVID-19 crisis, many farmers were unable to offer their produce to restaurants and businesses. In select communities, farmers created new services such as farm boxes, subscription services, and pick-up-at-the-farm options.
Make Your Office Sustainable
Are you looking for the next place to tackle? Take a closer look at how to make your office, or workspace truly a sustainable environment.
There’s no shortage of ways to reduce the environmental footprint of your office. Simple tactics include using less paper, turning off lights, and unplugging electrical items. Encourage your team to use alternative transportation to commute to work.
Many teams like to make this a collective challenge, such as a Bike-to-Work day, week, or month. Other teams prefer to get together for commuting via carpools or vanpools. You can make it easier for your team or workers to choose sustainable modes of transportation by offering bike perks and incentives. Consider having regular bikes and power-assisted e-bikes in the office that workers can borrow because not everyone has a bike they can use. If your company can afford it, offer cash or other forms of assistance to help employees purchase a bike. Bike-friendly facilities and secure parking areas in the workplace are also a great help. Alternatively, you may be able to support virtual and remote working by offering variable work options and schedules.
Naturally, recycling is a dramatic opportunity to save resources and reuse items. This may be as simple as recycling paper and plastics. Many recycling programs have helped to reduce waste from bottles, packaging, and plastics.
These programs can extend to recycling furniture, lights, and computers. In many cities, businesses have adopted programs to recycle technology tools to schools and promote technology literacy for children.
As you look around your office environment, keep exploring how you and your organization can reduce waste and recycle items.
Sum Up
Making a personal commitment to ‘go green’ can help you pay attention and make choices to support sustainability. There are numerous ways to achieve this, however, you can get started today—without delay.
By taking action you can make your home more sustainable, choose sustainable foods, and support a sustainable workplace. If you’re looking for a happier, healthier lifestyle, these choices are at the top of your planGoing Gree
