GO GREENER WITH THESE ECO-FRIENDLY IDEAS

Our dear mother earth can be likened to a gigantic house that needs to be cared for. Like a house, caring for mother earth doesn’t involve beautifying it with luxurious paints or adorning it with high-end accessories. Instead, caring for mother earth involves reducing air and environmental pollution that could hinder her ability to cater to our needs. In essence, caring for mother earth involves going green.

But, how exactly do you go green? How do you save yourself from the repercussions that come with polluting the earth? What does it even mean to go green, and why should you embrace the idea? We have answered these questions in this article.

To begin, we’ll look at what it means to go green.

What does it mean to go greener?

Everyone has different reasons to go green. For some, their sole aim in embracing this idea is to benefit the environment: combat climate change, mitigate air pollution, and curb the harm we inflict on mother earth and its numerous species.

Others are motivated by their endless love and concern for the health and wellbeing of humanity. Regardless of where you fall, you need to ask yourself, what does it mean to go green?

In essence, to go green means to pursue the knowledge and practices that can result in more eco-friendly and ecologically responsible decisions and lifestyles, which can help safeguard the environment and sustain resources for future generations.

Why should you go greener?

Ok, so environmentalists are clamoring for a greener environment, same with your neighbor who uses plastic free alternatives rather than eco-unfriendly plastics.  But you are there, a little confused as to why these individuals are keen on this idea.

So you ask yourself, why should I go greener? What is in for you and those you care about?

Here are a few reasons why you should go greener:

•  Can help raise the value of your home
•  Huge savings in energy costs
•  Save money on your water bill
•  Enhances your health
•  Enhances air quality
•  Clean and green environment

Now that you have a little insight into the benefits of going greener, I bet you love the idea and want to play your part in the quest to rid the earth of pollution and make it habitable for all. Here are a few eco-friendly ideas to consider and implement.

1. Purchase reusable shopping bags

It is no secret that several municipalities across the world frown against the use of plastic shopping bags. Why? Because they pose harm to the environment, including aquatic life.

Aside from that, you should note that, unlike biodegradable substances, plastic shopping bags take years to disintegrate, making them super-toxic to the earth. And as you already know, whatever harms the earth, harms you too.

So what is the way out here? The way out here is quite simple. Quit the use of plastic bags, and embrace reusable shopping bags. You will be doing mother earth a lot of good by doing so, and trust me; she will be grateful for your kind gesture.

2. Reuse milk bags

Rather than buy loads of milk bags, consume their content, and discard them afterward, why don’t you consider reusing them? You will reduce the effects of plastic bags on the environment in the process.

There are several ways in which you can reuse plastic milk bags. These ways include freezing food in them, transforming them into grow bags for little plants, and using them to pick up dog waste.

3. Use a burner that matches your pot.

Many homeowners are fond of using burners that are way bigger than the base of their pot. While lots of homeowners find nothing in this innocent act, the truth is, doing so will make your home less energy efficient.

So rather than use a burner that doesn’t match your pot, either knowingly or unknowingly, it makes sense to use a border that matches your pot. Doing so will ensure that you use heat more efficiently and produce less energy. Mother earth will appreciate you for your effort.

4. Go for an energy-efficient dishwasher.

If you love the idea of energy-efficient bulbs, or energy-efficient cooking appliances, etc., you will love the idea of purchasing an energy-efficient dishwasher. Based on Natural Resources Canada, and energy STAR certified dishwasher uses an average of 12% less energy than a normal model.

What does this mean? It simply means that if you embrace the use of an energy-efficient dishwasher, you’ll save more on your hydro bill. In addition, and most importantly, you’ll be helping the planet in the process.

5. Use or make natural detergents.

Typical detergents consist of chemicals (e.g phosphates, formaldehyde, chlorine beach, ammonium sulfate, optical brightener) that are for the environment. They are biodegradable, and when discarded, they contaminate our water supplies, rivers, and oceans with harmful metals like cadmium and arsenic.

Considering the harm caused by these eco-unfriendly detergents, it makes sense to find an alternative and embrace it to save mother earth and yourself in the process. You can either decide to make natural detergents or purchase those that are eco-friendly.

6. Reuse old papers

Papers are harmful to the environment when not disposed of properly. Their life cycle harms mother earth from when they are made to when they are discarded. Before you begin to doubt the role paper plays in the ever-growing environmental pollution experienced in diverse parts of the world, you should note that pulp and paper mills contribute immensely to air, water, and land pollution. Furthermore, discarded paper, including paperboard, constitutes approximately 26% of solid municipal waste in landfill sites.

So, considering the harm associated with paper use, it is important you consider reusing old papers. Doing so will reduce the need to discard papers often, thus protecting the environment from paper pollution. 

Conclusion

It is estimated that in a few years if we refuse to play our parts in mitigating pollution, the world might become inhabitable. Even now, we are experiencing the effects of pollution caused several years back. Hence, if we all want to create a world where natural disasters cease to be the norm, we must act. And what better way to do that than embracing eco-friendly alternatives.