How to live an eco-friendly spring?
After the cold and the rainy days of winter, the spring sun is welcomed with open arms. The good weather is an invitation to spend more time outside, but there are renovations inside the house that you can make to turn this season more eco-friendly – for the planet and your wallet. Let’s find out how?
Hello, spring!
Spring is the season that acts as a sort of “bridge” between winter and summer. Gradually, the grey skies recede and give way to sunshine and a change in scenery and ecosystems. It’s not just on the thermometer (and in the allergic symptoms) that this season shows its signs – spring is associated with new cycles, rebirth and growth, since this is when many crops are planted and many others begin to bear fruit. It is, then, the season for change. Why not make some changes in our lives too?
With global warming, the four seasons of the year, once relatively predictable, have become more fickle. It’s important to ensure that our actions have a positive impact on the planet and don’t contribute to climate change. Take advantage of spring to clean up your old habits and adopt more eco-friendly practices.
Tips to welcome an eco-friendly spring
There are always different ways to become eco-friendly in all areas of our lives. It’s “the little things” that matter, and they are very much worth it.
At home:
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Choose more local and seasonal products
All things worthwhile take time, so they say – that’s probably why waiting for the right time to eat strawberries or peaches has a special taste. In addition to seasonality, the place of production matters, as the further away from the place of consumption, the greater the negative impact on the environment, particularly due to transport. It’s time to choose more products that are produced close to you and that are typical of their season.
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Prepare fresh recipes without food waste
Household food waste represents 70% of all worldwide food waste. This issue is responsible for around 10% of the global human-produced greenhouse gas emissions. Before you throw away the lone potato left over from dinner or the leftover chicken from the day before, think about how you can give them a new life with recipes for spring, such as fresh, colourful salads or nutritious smoothies. Check out some tips to reduce food waste at home.
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Give reusable cups and bottles a chance
Say goodbye to disposable materials – single use plastics do not fit the eco-friendly concept. There are colourful alternatives with designs, quotes or even different functions to take with you everywhere and quench your thirst on the hottest days. Do you need some tips to get rid of plastic?
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Sort your rubbish the right way
Recycling is essential for an eco-friendly lifestyle. Separate ordinary rubbish from glass, plastic and paper, and make sure that if the good weather invites you to a picnic in the garden or on the beach, you keep up these good habits. Curious to find out what happens to plastic after the recycling bin?
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Donate clothes you don’t wear
Spring also means renewing your wardrobe. Why not donate the clothes, shoes, accessories and even toys your kids don’t find so funny any more, to charity or charitable second-hand shops?
Electricity:
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Switch to low-consumption LEDs
Let there be light! LED bulbs last longer and are recyclable, making them wallet and environmentally friendly.
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Change to more efficient windows
Your windows may not be properly insulated, causing heat to enter the house and making it warmer than it should be (the opposite will happen in winter, meaning more cold air will enter). Check whether you need to replace your windows for another type of material, saving on your electricity bill in the long run. You could be wasting unnecessary energy using heating systems when heat escapes through old windows.
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No more standby!
Did you know that standby power is also called vampire draw or ghost load? This refers to the electrical power consumed by electronic appliances in standby mode. Standby power may add up to 10% of your electricity bill! To give an eco-friendly twist to this vampire draw, consider using power adapters with an on/off switch, for example.
Water:
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Take shorter showers
We spend many litres of water needlessly, with high flow taps and shower heads. One of the main steps towards becoming eco-friendly is to spare our planet’s finite resources – like water. In addition to shorter showers, if you haven’t already, try turning off the tap when you soap up or brush your teeth.
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Get that washing machine working like it should
The latest models of washing machines and dishwashers have eco-friendly and water-saving options that allow you to save water on each cycle. There are also good practices to adopt, such as making sure the machines are full before starting them.
Ecology:
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Eco-friendly means also bee-friendly
Bees are responsible for around 75 per cent of all food in the world, but they are also one of the most endangered pollinators. If you have a garden at home, follow London’s example and plant bee-friendly flowers.
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Plant your very own herbs garden
It’s relaxing, it gives you delicious flavours and aromas, it is eco-friendly… It’s a complete win. See how to plant a sustainable herb garden at home so you always have the coriander or basil on hand to make a difference in your fresh salad against food waste.
With the kids:
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Celebrate sustainable days
There are many important dates in Spring like the Earth Day (22nd of April) or the World Environment Day (29th of May). Use these days to teach your children, godchildren, cousins or friends the importance of becoming more and more eco-friendly.
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Fun with recycling!
If your children don’t know what recycling is yet (and why it is so important), this could be a good time to teach them how to do it and what to put in each bin. You can even create fun games and activities to get them on board.
Ready for an eco-friendly spring? Let’s do it!