How To Save Energy and Live More Sustainably This Summer
Many people agree that it’s important to care for the planet, but it can be not easy to make a big commitment and stick to it. Instead of making a huge lifestyle shift, consider making smaller changes over time that add up to a bigger impact. Need ideas? Here are several you can choose from to get started.
Upgrade Your Equipment
Old lawn care tools and equipment can be demanding and difficult to work with, especially if they run on gas. If it’s time for an upgrade, consider electric and battery-operated equipment to reduce emissions and make caring for your lawn easier. The better your tools, the less time and energy you need to make your lawn look perfect. Find a dealer for the best new landscaping equipment and power tools to level up your lawn care and maintenance practices.
Recycle and Compost
Recycling and composting are some of the easiest activities you can do as part of living more sustainably, but many people do it wrong. Incorrectly recycling means many plastic items still end up in landfills despite people’s good intentions, and it’s shockingly easy to ruin a batch of good compost. Many people think they can add all of their food scraps to their compost bin, but that isn’t the best idea for a couple of reasons. Adding meat and dairy scraps can result in foul odors that attract animals and take longer to break down. Make sure you do your research to set up a composting bin and learn how to feed it correctly.
Check Your Air Conditioner
Since you’re more likely to use your air conditioner regularly during the summer, it’s a good idea to get it checked out before the weather heats up. A broken or struggling air conditioner will use more energy to reach the same temperatures, costing you more money with nothing to show. Check your filters to ensure you’re not breathing in anything harmful and that nothing is blocking the airflow. Check your windows, doors, and other areas of the home to ensure there aren’t any leaks making your AC work harder.
Grow a Garden
If you want to avoid high food prices, pesticides, and extra plastic packaging, consider starting your own garden. You can feed yourself and your family with healthier foods that taste better and learn new hobbies while you’re at it. Many gardeners are also avid canners, so why not make your pickles or jam? You might be surprised at how easy some of the recipes are. Plus, grocery store produce has to be transported via trucks to get to you, so you’ll be reducing waste this way as well.
Use Reusable Products
Another easy way to live more sustainably is to use more reusable products. This may not be realistic for you if you require the ease of disposable products, but making the switch where you can still have an impact. A good first switch is to use cloth grocery bags instead of the ones at the store. If you rely heavily on paper plates, consider thrifting a nice set of ceramic plates that you’re excited to eat off of. Beeswax cloths can replace cling wrap, and you can sew your reusable paper towels. Some patterns even include a way to attach the paper towels so they can easily wrap around a roll. These little changes may take some getting used to at first, but a little extra effort here and there can help save the planet while saving you money at the same time.
The summer is a great time to consider your contributions to the planet. When you spend more time outside, it’s easier to appreciate all the things nature provides humans to live and thrive. Regardless of your current lifestyle, there are small changes you can make to get started today.
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