Going green doesn’t have to be a complicated project, or be of great expense to you and your family. In fact, there are very simple changes you can make to your lifestyle that will help save the world around you, with no inconveniences whatsoever. Take a look at some of the ideas below to get you started on your clean, green adventure!
Switch Up Your Decor
One simple way to make your lifestyle more green, is to watch what you are putting in your house. There are quite a few ways you can do this and Jennifer Nini, founder and editor of eco fashion and green lifestyle blog, Eco Warrior Princess, has provided a few tips to get you started:
“If you’re seeking decorative elements or even furniture, opt for used or second hand furniture. Ebay and Gumtree are a great source of all things preloved. Also, you can turn old wood pallets into planter boxes, vertical gardens, storage spaces and bench seats!
I recommend decorating your home with indoor plants to bring in a sense of nature as well as improve the indoor air quality. I prefer plants such as peace lilies, succulents and orchids.”
If adding plants and flowers isn’t your style, look into different types of flooring such as artificial grass, and small items you can add to your house to give it a green and natural vibe and appearance. To learn more about getting on board the green lifestyle, check out Jennifer’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest pages.
Pick Your Lights Wisely
Another way to cement your commitment to a green lifestyle is to ensure you are using energy-efficient light sources, such as LED lights. Paul Martin, from TwistLit, shares how he has been using this method to help save the environment since 2010:
“In 2010 my wife and I were building our house and we wanted to use limited energy and have a minimal impact on the environment. When it came to lighting, we knew we wanted LED lights. They are so practical and efficient in the way they give out light and they also have an incredible lifespan compared to other forms of lighting.”
To find out any information about LED lights, including installation instructions, pros and cons and much, much more, check out Paul’s Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest pages. Remember that electricity usage is one of the simplest ways you can change your impact on the environment, so take note of both the at-home and portable devices you use to make sure they are as energy-efficient as possible.
Choose Your Possessions With Care
Once you have decided to take the steps towards being environmentally conscious, you need to know what the objects you are purchasing are made off. This can range from trinkets to items for your home. Judith Treanor from Temples and Markets, shares information about items made from sustainable materials on her blog.
For example, she profiled the Hmong people in Vietnam who even make cushion covers and runners out of hemp, including one who “wanted to apply her creative design skills and her interest in community stewardship to develop a line of products that do not leave a mess in their trail and provide overall socioeconomic and environmental benefits to local producer villages.”
This emphasizes the importance of knowing where the items you are purchasing come from, and how they are affecting the environment, no matter which corner of the world you live in. To find out more, check out Judith’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.
Show Consideration To Plant Life
When you are not in the habit of thinking about the environment on a regular basis, it can be easy to overlook small details, such as being careful with plants and trees in your own backyard. Daniel Brady, from Heavenly Hammocks mentions one thing to be wary of:
“When hanging a swing for the kids, it is common to use a rope to hang it with, but a rope will damage a tree over time. A much better option to protect the tree is to use tree straps. It spreads the pressure over a larger area than a rope, so it minimizes cutting into the tree or damaging the bark.”
To find out more, check out the Heavenly Hammocks Facebook page.
This is a timely reminder to take note of the small activities we may carry out in everyday life, and make sure we are doing everything possible to minimize harm to the nature surrounding us.