If you own a home or just a couple of possessions in a small apartment, adopting an eco-friendly routine can help curb waste and pollutants from entering the environment around you and your neighbors, making the world a cleaner place to live with each passing day. But what if we told you that by taking an environmentally-sound approach, you could save considerable money in both the short and long-term? There are plenty of ways you can make every day Earth Day, especially if you look at the benefits of reducing the costs associated with the products and materials that many of us simply throw away or replace rather than fix or upgrade.
Seven Simple Ways To Keep Eco-Friendly (and Curb Your Expenses)
We’ve put together seven categories where by thinking long-term, you can live environmentally-friendly and frugally at the same time! Often, the costs associated may be increased at the beginning, but over time, renewable and reusable products can pay for themselves and be well worth the value! Improve your own small part of the planet and keep money in your pocket by considering these suggestions for spring cleaning, garden preparation, and home improvements.
- Keep your home clean on a regular basis and reduce the load on your home air filter. By vacuuming your carpets, floors, and even your dirty air filters (Pro tip: Do this once and extend its life cycle by double), you minimize the strain associated with a dirty filter, extending its life and utility. We should add that cleaning a dirty air filter does not extend its life indefinitely, and should always be monitored and replaced based on system and manufacturer recommendations.
- Purchase non-toxic cleaning products. Use natural fiber sponges and cleaning agents that are biodegradable, phosphate-free, chlorine-free, and unscented.
- Reduce paper use and keep your cleaning supplies reusable. Use cleaning towels instead of paper towels; cloth napkins instead of paper ones. Buy post-consumer recycled paper and recycle it when you’ve used it.
- Refurbish responsibly. Use water-based or vegetable-based paints, stains, and varnishes. Don’t wash paint thinners, household cleaners, oil, or pesticides down the drain or pour them on the ground; use them up, give leftovers to friends or a charity, or dispose at your local toxic waste disposal center.
- Repair instead of replace. Reupholster furniture. Resole your shoes. Give the things you own a second life and you’ll find that the character a refurbished item has naturally can be both stylish and a conversation piece for years to come.
- Replace disposable goods with renewable ones. Buy rechargeable batteries which pay for themselves in mere weeks to months. Use dishes instead of paper plates. Purchase a water pitcher with a built-in filter and make bottled water purchases a thing of the past.
- Plant for the planet. Strengthen your garden’s resistance to pests by planting resilient plants, by rotating the fruits and vegetables you plant, and by attracting friendly bugs to prey on the pesky ones. Plus, having a vegetable garden is not just a great way to get brisk exercise and enjoy a hobby in the outdoors, but it also provides an excellent source of produce, perfect for cooking and ideal for canning & pickling!
Save The Environment and Your Money — It’s Never Been Easier
Every April 22nd, millions around the world take time and focus on their environmental impact. Often, we have the best of intentions but forget about the other major benefits associated with being eco-friendly — reduced costs, improved quality of life, and good habits that can be passed down from generation to generation. When considering whether or not an Earth conscious approach is right for you, look at the unexpected benefits and make it a daily game to see how you can improve your health, your comfort, and your financial health on a daily basis.
