By adopting eco-friendly practices, we can create a lifestyle that doesn’t harm the environment and tread more lightly on the earth. Genuine green living goes beyond simply not using plastic bags or switching off the lights when you leave a room. Here are some ideas to get you started.
1. WASTE MANAGEMENT
Landfills produce an alarming amount of greenhouse gases and make waste management a huge problem. The 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – are a great way of curbing waste at a personal level.
To start with, reduce your consumption of unnecessary items. Secondly, reuse objects in different and creative ways instead of throwing them in the bin – this often means going back to grandma’s wisdom! And finally, recycle whatever possible: glass, paper, plastic and aluminium.
2. CONSERVE AT HOME
Every litre of fresh water and every watt of electricity is produced through the use of precious energy. Many of us already take simple steps to safeguard these resources by switching off electrical items that are not in use, taking quick showers and plugging water leaks as early as possible.
Why not go further and build energy conservation into your domestic setup? Buy energy saving bulbs and gadgets, install solar panels to produce your own electricity and fix air leakages to increase efficiency of your air conditioning.
3. BUY LOCAL PRODUCTS
Next time you head to the supermarket, avoid the exotic and imported food aisle and make a beeline to the section with locally produced items to reduce your carbon footprint.
Remember, items grown or produced nearby are transported to you using far less fuel and materials than something that comes all the way from Australia or Europe.
‘Buy local’ isn’t simply a social media catchphrase; it’s a way of life and applies to everything from vegetables, meats and pantry goods to clothing, accessories and furniture. Always explore options close to home before opting for imported items.
4. JOIN AN ECO GROUP
Thanks to virtual platforms and an ever growing global green community, it has never been easier to join hands with your fellow eco-warriors.
Join a local group and start sharing resources, learning from experts and contributing to initiatives in your neighbourhood or city such as planting trees, restoring forest cover and pressurising local companies to stop polluting.
Working as a collective not only increases motivation and encouragement but also helps you exercise more influence in the public space.
Pallavi Pinakin is an entrepreneur who loves to travel and discover new paths to health, happiness and sustainability.