Here are 5 things you can do to promote sustainability
10 years ago, the idea of sustainability was not taken so seriously as many people did not realize how important it was. However, sustainability and consciousness about the environment among the general population have increased and the idea has become global today.
Once companies started making sustainable products and services available for people, it became a choice between existing products or services and sustainable options. As an example, consumers could choose between a regular lightbulb or an energy-saving alternative. They might have not been cheaper at first, but as technology improved, sustainable products in the market became cheaper and better and started competing with products made by conventional methods.
By shifting to sustainable products, we could be supporting sustainability globally. Below are 10 things that you can do to promote sustainability.
1. Recycle
Recycling is one of the best things you can do to promote sustainability. By cleaning up your house and recycling your old household trash, you instantly get a cleaner house and some extra cash. Recycling reduces pressure on raw materials, reduces mining, and the fuel and other costs associated with extracting, transporting and processing minerals. You also save valuable landfill space.
2. Make Informed Decisions
You can make a shift in your purchasing practices by choosing sustainable goods and services. Before purchasing something, read the fine prints and make sure that they are made through sustainable methods. Was it made in a sustainable way? Does the product support the environment and ecosystem? Many products, especially cleaning products, are labeled eco-friendly. Compare different products and make sure you choose the right brand that promotes sustainability. Avoid products that use excessive packaging because it is going to increase waste.
3. Grow your own crops
The food that you purchase from a grocery store is not always grown through sustainable methods. You can help reduce your carbon footprint and reduce negative environmental impacts by growing your own food at home. Planting your own vegetables has many benefits. You can grow without using any chemicals or pesticides, recycle your kitchen waste as fertiliser, and enjoy freshly grown vegetables out of your own hard work. It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors, get some exercise, and also bring your family together.
4. Reduce waste
It cannot be denied that many of us often leave behind a huge trail of waste especially when it comes to food. Reducing food waste can significantly help the environment as well as save you on your grocery bills. The first step to minimising waste is to buy only the products that you need. Avoid excessive packaging and recycle everything that you can. Also separate your household trash into stuff that can be reused, before you throw anything into the dumpster. A lot of your kitchen waste can be used in your vegetable garden and many of your furniture, electrical appliances or old clothes can be rebuilt or recycled. If you do not need something, you can donate it to a recycling group in your area.
5. Monitor your utility bills
Conserving energy and minimising waste will help you in reducing your utility bills as well as promoting sustainability. Cutting your utility bill does not necessarily require an upfront investment and there are really some simple tricks to it. If you are seeing high electric bills or water bills, try to find out if you have been wasting energy or water through faulty wiring, leaking pipes or faucets, insufficient insulation and old appliances. Little things like unplugging your appliances while not in use or closing your windows when heat or air conditioning is on, makes a big difference, in the long run, to save energy, reduce environmental footprints, and will also show up as a reduction on your bills. On a larger scale and over a longer period of time, it will help us reduce the global impact and carbon footprints globally.
Please try out some of these suggestions and let us know how they are making a difference in your life and also in the lives of others around you. We’d appreciate your comments and feedback, it would greatly inspire us.
Source: Environmental Professionals Network
