Most of us are probably quite aware that our nature and our oceans are greatly exposed today. And many of us are already doing the best we can to take our little share of responsibility. Getting high demands from those who are extremely environmentally-savvy does not help. Sometimes it can even have the opposite effect. I think that instead of “shaming and blaming” we should try to encourage each other for what you actually do, and strive to always improve.
Becoming vegan is not for everyone. And to demolish all plastic is extremely difficult. Imagine what a lot in our grocery stores that are actually sold in plastic packaging.
It may also not be the right way to defend one’s travel by compensating for something else. Yes, I fly. There is nothing I can do to offset it, more than stop flying. But I can still do my little part and do as best I can.
In this article, we have prepared a list of things that are easy to think of for all of us. Things for a little more sustainable everyday life. Small things that, on the whole, can make a change, but are not difficult to implement. Some of you may do many of them already, but maybe some of the tips are new.
19 SMALL EASY TIPS FOR A SUSTAINABLE EVERYTHING AND BETTER ENVIRONMENT
# 1 SORT AND RECYCLING
Sort your packaging and return it to a recycling center. All recycled packages become new goods, new packaging or energy.
# 2 BATTERIES
Leave all worn-out batteries in the battery compartment or to your environment station. This is to prevent emissions to the environment of the toxic heavy metals cadmium, mercury and lead. A good alternative to disposable batteries is rechargeable batteries. Pay attention to all “hidden”, built-in batteries in cordless appliances, calculators and greeting cards.
# 3 SUGAR
Few of us are thinking about that straws. You order something to drink and there they are. The straws. For sometimes there is even more than one. We can all make it a habit to say that we don’t want any already when we order our drink.
# 4 ABROAD
Try to bring your habits when you are abroad. Because it is often a little more demanding to think about the climate when travelling. In Asia, a lot of plastic is used and is not handled as well as in other places. When shopping, do not take the bags offered but pack in your bag or backpack. Or always carry a bag of cloth. And here, too, avoid straw caps for example juice when you can.
# 5 SECOND HAND
When you clean out at home, instead of throwing away or putting in the storage room, leave it at an organization that takes care of these. They sell it to someone who wants it and the money goes to children in the world who need help. Win win. And remember, there is much to find on the second hand.
# 6 VEGETARIAN DAYS
Introduce one or two vegetarian days a week. There are plenty of good foods that do not necessarily need to contain meat. You will find a recipe for a good pasta dish here.
# 7 ECOLOGICAL FOODS
Try to buy some organic products every time you are in the grocery store. Many times it is exactly the same price for the organic alternatives.
# 8 DISPOSABLE
If you now need disposable items, try choosing paper instead of plastic.
# 9 TURN LIGHTS OFF
Turn off lights in rooms you are not in them is quite an easy way to help the environment.
# 10 PLASTIC BAGS
Use fabric bags instead of plastic bags when shopping.
# 11 ADVERTISING
Say no thanks to advertising and free magazines.
# 12 REUSING
Gift bags for wine, padded envelopes to post items in and clean glass jars and reuse as storage instead of plastic jars. You can reuse a lot of things that you would otherwise throw away.
# 13 Kettle
Using kettles, lids on the saucepans and utilizing the plates’ after-heat saves a lot of energy. Kettles can halve energy consumption and go faster compared to cooking on the stove.
# 14 FILL LAUNDRY AND DISHWASHER
Fill laundry and dishwasher instead of running half full. Buy good detergents that are labeled to be environmentally friendly. Run the laundry at a lower temperature, 40 degrees is often enough with modern detergents. Do not overdose on detergents, try half a tablet for the dishwasher, and if the food has not been able to dry, select a shorter program. The dish gets clean anyway.
# 15 RIGHT AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES
Make sure you have the correct air pressure in the tires of your car. With the right air pressure, the car rolls lighter and less fuel is consumed.
# 16 LAMPS
Use low-energy lamps.
# 17 REDUCE THE INTERNAL TEMPERATURE
With a slightly lower temperature indoors, you reduce heating costs by about 5%.
# 18 TAP WATER
Drink tap water instead of buying bottled water. This is of course only a recommendation if you can drink the water in your tap. The bottled water is transported a long way, which creates an unnecessary environmental impact. Additionally, it is transported in plastic bottles.
# 19 OLD MEDICINES
Leave old and leftover medication to the pharmacy or recycling station. Medicines that come out into the wild affect fish and aquatic animals already at very low levels. In addition, antibiotics in the environment can seriously threaten our health.
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