When you think about going green, recycling is probably the first thing that pops into your mind but simply put, going green is more about making environmentally friendly choices part of your life than the mantra of reduce, reuse, recycle. If you have decided to lead an eco-friendly lifestyle you may think that you will run into unwanted extra costs, however, this is not the case. Going green can actually save you money and there are cost-effective ways to implement these changes.
Our environment is being polluted by waste and other factors on a daily basis, so if you would like to be more environmentally responsible here are some inexpensive ways you can try to live a little greener.
Save water and Electricity
During the current drought being experienced in the Western Cape, all South Africans have become aware of water conservancy to some extent. As a homeowner, there are many small things you can do to save a litre here and there.
• Install low-flow shower heads.
• Try to avoid bathing and rather opt for a shower.
• Wait until you have a full load of washing before turning on the machine.
Similarly, you can cut your electricity costs by implementing the following:
• Consider insulating your hot water heater and pipes.
• Wash your clothes in cold water, not only will you save energy but it will keep your garments looking better for longer.
• Hang up your laundry to dry, don’t use the dryer.
• Remember to turn off any electronics and lights if you are not using them.
Reduce
As consumers, we accumulate refuse bag upon refuse bag of unnecessary waste on a weekly basis. The environmental benefits of reducing packaging and disposable waste like less pollution are obvious but packaging also contributes to the cost of a product. By choosing to purchase products with less packaging or doing away with disposable goods, you will save money in the long run.
• Buy products in bulk with less packaging. This will not only be more environmentally friendly but will also be kind to your wallet.
• Opt to purchase goods that are already in recycled packaging.
• When going to the shop take your own plastic bags or get fabric tote bags to replace the plastic ones.
Reuse
After reducing waste, the next point of call is to reuse what you can. It is important to try and reuse as much food, packaging and anything else you may throw away without giving a second thought – this will be more beneficial to your pocket and the environment.
• Compost all food scraps. This is fairly easy to do and you can compost in apartments and homes alike. For nutrient-rich fertiliser consider getting a worm bin. You can compost peelings, paper and even cardboard – the worms will then turn the refuse into organic fertiliser.
• Stay away from disposables. Instead of buying paper towels, buy a reusable cloth. Instead of buying reusable razors, buy one good one and just replace the blades when needed.
• Reuse old plastic containers and bottles so that they don’t end up in a landfill.
Recycle
Household recycling should be a practice in your home and is actually very simple to put into operation. It is a simple and efficient way to make your home more organised, conserve natural resources and a great step to improving the environment.
Here is a list of all recyclable items in their groups:
Paper
• Office paper
• Cardboard
• Newspapers
• Magazines & flyers
• Books
• Long Life Cartons
Plastic
• Most plastic containers
• Fruit and vegetable trays
• Soft plastic bags/shopping bags/ packaging
• Cling wrap/bubble wrap
• Polystyrene
Glass
• Wine and alcohol bottles
• Jam jars
• Sauce and spice bottles
• Plain drinking glasses
Tin
• Beverage Cans
• Food Cans
• Aerosol cans
• Paint Cans
Do-it-Yourself Cleaning Products
Everyone has tried a hand at DIY. A great way to be greener in your home is to try your hand at making your own cleaning products. As most stores bought products are filled with harmful chemicals you can avoid polluting your home and protect your family. There are hundreds of simple and cheap formulas out there that you can make at home.
For this and more tips and advice on the home owning process, Hermanus Property Sales has years of experience and expert insights in the real estate industry. Contact us today if you are looking for reliable real estate services.
Author:Hermanus Property Sales.
