(“Charity begins at home,” an old proverb states, expressing a sense of priority to take care of one's family, before caring for others — we’d like to think of sustainability in a similar manner. Making conscious choices shouldn’t just be restricted to external aspects like clothes or beauty alone, these can begin within your humble abode with small yet easily adjustable switches. Ahead, we break down the green switches needed for each room inside your home.
Living room
The most comfortable commonplace of the house calls for great mood lighting and we recommend going energy-efficient with it. Brighter and better than their incandescent counterparts, efficient lighting can bring in huge reductions in those energy bills. And when it comes to furniture, look for FSC certified wood-based products as it certifies that the material source comes from the most trusted assurance of sustainable forest management. The latter is incomplete without upholstery, most of which is made from unsustainable materials like PU (polyurethane) that is really difficult to recycle. Look for renewed materials that are made from recycled fabrics instead; brands like Kvadrat and Maharam are doing a great job with their offerings.
Kitchen
Considered as of the most important rooms in your home, your kitchen is where all the members of your family are likely to begin and end their day. Making essential green swaps here are of utmost importance as most of the usual plastic items are consumables that could potentially end up in your system through something you eat or drink. A new study in the journal Environmental Science and Technology claimed that humans may be consuming anywhere from 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles a year. Consider switching your wash sponge for a cloth, bottles, straws and containers for glass or metal, cooking utensils for bamboo ones and plastic grocery bags for reusable totes instead.
Bedroom
As with your living room, try to aim for furnishings that are recycled, fair-trade or pre-owned and lighting that is energy efficient. When it comes to bedding and linens, seek out fabrics or textiles with sustainable certifications or simply stick to organic cottons. Woollen or hemp comforters are much better additions compared to petroleum-derived plastics and polyesters. Also, look for mattresses that are made from plant-based or renewable materials like natural latex.
Bathroom
When it comes to lighting, stick to LED bulbs in your bathroom for better energy conservation. Additionally, heating water for showers accounts for more than 15% of expenditure on energy, a solar water heater is your best bet as it not only reduces cost but mitigates your carbon footprint. Replacing products by no ways means throwing away the ones that are currently in use. The most environmentally sound option is to finish using what you already have before buying eco-friendly replacements. Switch your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo one, stay away from toothpastes that have beads in them as they are mostly plastic and try to shop for recycled bathroom tissue papers — brands like number two and who gives a crap are doing a great job with recycled toilet paper.
Published by: Ryan Williams/ 2020-04-29