Surveys show that more than 75% of people in the United States strive to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
Unfortunately, convenience and cost prevent many from making changes in their homes.
If you want to make a difference with small changes, there are a few ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
Keep reading if you want to learn how to reduce carbon emissions within your home that are suitable for your lifestyle!
How To Reduce Carbon Emissions At Home
1. Plant a Garden
One of the best things you can do to reduce carbon emissions at your home is to plant a garden.
Gardens are wonderful for the environment since they absorb carbon dioxide and convert it to clean oxygen. Vegetable and fruit plants are great for soil since they can absorb contaminants and prevent them from entering your house.
Another reason gardens can reduce your carbon footprint is that you won’t have to drive to the store as often. Depending on the size of your garden and what you plant, you can save money on gas driving to the grocery. Fewer trips to the store result in less carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere.
Your stomach will be thankful for the fresh food and herbs while your consciousness will be thankful for helping the planet.
2. Switch to Solar Power
Installing solar power in your home can quickly reduce carbon emissions.
This is a more expensive project, however, there is plenty of financial help to cover the costs. Solar power is clean and prevents carbon emissions since it doesn’t require burning fossil fuels. You can find the most effective carbon removal solutions by switching energy sources.
Solar panels can help prevent global warming by decreasing the use of outdated sources of energy. Coal and oil are major contributors to rising greenhouse gases. The panels can also absorb the sun’s rays and convert them to energy, reducing the overall temperatures.
These panels are designed to efficiently absorb sunlight. They are often installed in large cities since they can reduce high temperatures. When concrete and building trap hot air, it has nowhere to escape until it hits a solar panel.
3. Reuse & Repurpose Materials
Whether you have old glass jars, clothing, or decor, you should never toss it in the trash.
These items, along with many other durable materials can get reused and repurposed. Repurposing items can keep them out of landfills and prevent more items from getting created. Fast fashion and trends contribute to a lot of waste that people could have avoided.
Find alternative uses for items around the house before you throw them away. You can also search for creative uses for items you don’t know what to do with. It takes a long time for items to decompose, making them more useful when given a new purpose.
4. Eat a Plant-Based Diet
Recent studies are showing that plant-based diets are much safer for the planet.
Although there is still carbon dioxide from growing these items, it reduces the need for meat. The more people eat meat, the more cows and animals there are producing methane. It also requires a lot of energy, water, and resources to maintain the meat industry.
Meat and dairy are responsible for a significant portion of man-made greenhouse gases.
Eating a plant-based diet can help your body function better and help the planet. Plants still require a bit of water and machinery to keep up with the demand, but they don’t produce as many emissions. Fortunately, the plants absorb carbon dioxide in the air, soil, and water, and purify the land.
5. Recycle
If you have a habit of tossing items in the trash without thinking twice, you should focus on recycling.
Recycling at your home is best for beginners since you can put up reminders and set up a system. Depending on how your neighborhood collects recycled items, you may have to separate your plastics, glass, metal, and paper. Some facilities will accept all of these items simultaneously, however, and use a sorting machine.
Reducing the number of items going to the landfill can lower carbon emissions. As products decompose, they release carbon dioxide and often don’t get put to good use.
When you recycle, you open the opportunity for plastic that’ll never decompose to become something new. Make sure you follow your local recycling rules so that you don’t contribute to more waste.
6. Wash With Cold Water
Most people don’t realize that the reason they use so much energy is that they want hot water.
Washing dishes and laundry in hot water can increase your carbon footprint and risk of getting exposed to chemicals. It takes a lot of energy to heat water, even when you take a shower. Instead of using hot temperatures, put the water on medium or cool.
Cold water can help preserve clothing, which makes it last longer. This small change can reduce waste going to the landfill and energy waste in your home. The best part is that the enzymes in cold water are effective for cleaning and removing bacteria.
If you have a habit of always turning on the hot water, you can adjust your water heater. Lowering your water heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit can save energy consumption and money.
7. Change Your Bulbs
Incandescent light bulbs use and waste more energy than solar and LED bulbs.
Many people recommend switching your bulbs to LEDs since they are more sustainable and longer-lasting. You won’t have to replace your bulbs as frequently with LEDs because they efficiently use electricity. Solar lights are great for landscaping and patios if you don’t want to rely solely on clean energy.
If you’ve ever noticed the heat coming off an incandescent bulb, it could have been contributing to global warming. LED bulbs stay cool to the touch, making them a practical way to go green.
8. Avoid Cleaning with Chemicals
Candles, cleaning products, and other chemicals can increase your carbon footprint.
Green cleaning solutions can be just as effective but a lot healthier for you and the environment. Instead of spending all your money on chemicals that create carbon dioxide, you can make the most of natural ingredients. White vinegar, lemon, and baking soda are often used for cleaning.
If you want your house to smell fresh and relaxing, you should avoid lighting a candle. Each time you light a wick you are producing carbon dioxide and releasing it into the environment. Essential oils, plants, and cooking are healthier ways to make the house smell good while reducing your carbon footprint.
9. Invest in Reusable Bags
It can be challenging to reduce waste when you need to bag your groceries and lunch.
Reusable bags made with beeswax and other natural resources can help the planet and reduce your carbon emissions. Reusable bags made of fabric or hemp can store your groceries without adding to the landfills. Stores like Costco and Aldi don’t offer plastic bags to customers, because they understand the toll they can have on the environment.
If you have plastic bags that you previously bought, try to repurpose and reuse them. Once you’re done, you can safely recycle the plastic, but made sure the facility will accept loose bags.
10. Drive Less
Not everyone is in a position to do less driving, but there are many ways to cut back.
If you live in a central location, opt for biking to work instead of driving. Each time you start your car, accelerate, or brake, carbon dioxide gets released into the atmosphere. Cars are terrible for the environment and can cause smog if traffic begins to build up.
Staying off the road will prevent you from contributing to this problem. Another way you can drive less is by carpooling or using public transportation. Each car that gets off the road will help the planet and set a new standard for others.
On days you can’t avoid driving, try to plan your schedule so that you make the most of your drive. For example, if you pass by a gas station, stop there instead of going out of your way.
Walking is a wonderful alternative to driving. You can take in the clean oxygen the plants have converted from carbon dioxide. Each breath you take supports trees and other life.
Do You Need to Reduce Carbon Emissions?
It’s important to examine your lifestyle and observe the areas where you can make a change.
Reducing carbon emissions doesn’t have to change your entire life or cost you your savings. You can take small steps to reduce carbon dioxide and promote a healthier environment. Not only will the planet benefit from these changes, but they can also improve your immune functions.
Don’t be afraid to make changes, if one doesn’t work you can try another solution.
If you want to learn more about how you can reduce waste and prevent global warming, read our blog for the latest info!
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