You don’t have to spend a lot of time, money or effort to make your house an eco-friendly home. You can start living a greener, more eco-conscious lifestyle right now. All it takes is a little planning and forethought to start reducing, reusing and recycling your way to a smaller carbon footprint. Follow these simple tips to get started immediately.
17 Ways to Make an Eco-Friendly Home
Plant a garden and harvest your own vegetables.
Build a backyard compost pile and use it to fertilize your garden.
Turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth and wash your face.
Change your light bulbs from incandescent bulbs to LEDs which save on energy.
Keep a recycling bin near the trash to collect recyclables.
Swap out harsh cleaning products for non-toxic, earth-friendly options.
Install a smart thermostat. Turn it down as you sleep.
Use reusable drinking cups instead of single-serve beverage cans and bottles.
Always look for products with minimal packaging when shopping and remember to consider second-hand options when thinking about a new purchase.
When shopping, consider investing in quality products that will last longer than cheaper alternatives.
Before you toss out household goods and toys, consider donating to a local charity.
Only buy what you need for food and try to avoid waste. Meal plans can help. Expiration dates do not mean that the food is bad.
Invest in rechargeable batteries.
Run appliances such as washers, dryers and dishwashers when the sun goes down so there is less drain on the power grid during peak hours.
Use fewer disposable products and switch to more durable items. For example, use real plates instead of paper plates. Use less paper towels and more dish towels. Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones.
Make a conscious effort to bring reusable shopping bags with you to the store. Keep them in your car so you won’t forget.
Switch from plastic cling wrap to bee’s wax wrap which is reusable.
Choosing just a few of these suggestions will help you on your way to making an eco-friendly home.
Learn more about how to recycle in Logan County. When you recycle more, you save on your Pay-As-You-Throw trash costs. Find one of our 16 Recycling and Pay-As-You-Throw drop-off centers near you.