IN PHOTOS: Sustainable living ideas to make your home eco-friendly
Want to adapt a more sustainable lifestyle at home? Now is the perfect time to do so because sustainability has become undeniably important and urgent, as humanity reportedly has only 10 more years to prevent irreversible damage to the environment.
During the 73rd session of the United Nations' high-level meeting on climate change and sustainable development on March 23, 2019, General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces of Ecuador emphasized why everyone should act now.
“We are the last generation that can prevent irreparable damage to our planet. Eleven years is all we have ahead of us to change our direction.”
So, if you're planning to make your home and your lifestyle eco-friendlier, then you're on the right track.
Below are photos that illustrate simple and achievable steps to a more sustainable living at home.
Use renewable energy
Many have opted to install solar panels in their homes to save up on electric bill. Aside from reducing energy bills, another benefit of using solar energy is that it is renewable--unlike fossil fuels--and it doesn't emit greenhouse gases that harm the environment. If you can't afford having solar panels installed at the moment, you may simply use solar-powered lights, equipment, or appliances.
Recycle plastics
Plastics are notorious for causing air, land, and water pollution. They also cause harm and death to animals--especially marine life--that accidentally consume them or get entangled in them. You can reduce plastic pollution by recycling them. One great way of doing so is by creating eco bricks, which are used as construction materials for homes and buildings.
Recycle cartons
Although cartons are mostly made of paper, which takes about two to six weeks to decompose, it's still better if you recycle them yourself, to free up space in landfills. Or, if you don't know how to, you can just turn them over at drop-off points for used cartons, so that they can be given a new life by recycling facilities.
Repurpose old wood and other materials
In order to prevent cutting down more trees, it would be ideal to use reclaimed or salvaged wood in making home decors and furniture, just like what actor-singer Raymond Lauchengco does.
Use non-plastic food containers
Aim for a zero-waste lifestyle by trading your aluminum foil, plastic wrap, wax paper, and Ziploc bags for lidded canning jars, mason jars, beeswax food wraps, and glass or steel food containers.
Use cloth towels instead of paper towels
Instead of using tons of paper towels to dry your hands or wipe liquid off your dining table or kitchen sink, use cloth towels. You may have more laundry to do, but at least, you're saving the environment in your own little way.
Grow your own greens
Having an edible garden at home not only lets you prepare healthy meals, but it'll benefit Mother Earth in many ways. There will be reduced use of harmful chemicals such as pesticides used by some farms to grow vegetables. Moreover, it will prevent erosion, minimize carbon footprint, and provide a home and food source of many animals and insects.
Use sustainably manufactured clothes, shoes and other products
Another great way to promote sustainability is by supporting brands that practice sustainability in manufacturing their products.
