How to reduce your household’s carbon footprint

by Joanna Burns    August 22, 2017

Eco living is not a trend anymore but a full-time lifestyle that more and more people are adopting. If you are considering going green, keep reading because we will present to you several helpful and cost effective tips that will allow you to lower the carbon footprint that your home produces.

Go paperless

Instead of gathering huge stacks of paper that will clutter your household, opt to go paperless. Have your statements, newsletters and bills send to you via e-mail. Keep in mind that some banks and utility providers offer discounts to clients that go paperless. This way, you will not only be able to maintain your home more easily but it will also reduce your household’s carbon footprint.

Avoid plastic packaging when possible

New plastics are a major contributor to greenhouse gases and require large amounts of petroleum to be manufactured. This is why it would be for the best if you pass on plastic whenever you can. For example, purchase water that is bottled in glass bottles or choose paper bags over nylon sacs.

Plant your yard

It is not a secret that trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. Therefore, instead of keeping a plain backyard, you should plant with trees, shrubs and plants that will not only enhance the curb appeal of your property but also purify the air. You can also consider growing your own food in your backyard. Here are some vegetables and fruits that are easy to cultivate:

  • Peas
  • Strawberries
  • Cabbage
  • Radishes
  • Potatoes
  • Kale
  • Peppers
  • Cherry tomatoes

Recycle

The easiest way to reduce your home’s carbon footprint would be to recycle. Simply, set up five garbage bins (paper, glass, plastic, metal and general) in your household and sort your waste. While it seems like a time consuming and complex task, it will quickly become habit that you will not notice doing. Once all cans are full, use the professional house clearance services of Rubbish Removals London and have the garbage transported to a recycling facility.

Reuse

You should not instantly throw away an item that is broken or lost its usefulness. Instead, try reusing it by altering its initial purpose. For instance, you can use empty jam jars as storage containers or convert old wooden pallets into garden furniture. This will ultimately lower your home’s trash output.

Use your AC system efficiently

You will be amazed how much you can lower your household’s carbon footprint by using your air conditioning effectively. Simply set the system’s thermostat on a higher setting when you are not at home during the summer and do the opposite during the winter. In addition, you can opt to mount a ceiling fan in order to reduce the usage of the AC during the warmer months of the year.

Drive less

Walking is a healthy and pleasant way to spend your spare time and cover short distances. So the next time you will the urge to drive two blocks down the road, simply leave your car keys at home and walk to your destination.

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