Sustainable life choices require people to live in a way where they are conscious of their environment. Moreover, and contrary to popular belief, going green helps save money! Whether it’s a business, school or a single individual that takes the step, they are setting up the groundwork for a budget-friendly lifestyle that also improves overall health. The very first part of the change will require a certain amount of money so that you can upgrade all that is necessary. As soon as this has been done, you must recycle, reduce and reuse in order to live an eco-friendly lifestyle. The food you eat and transportation you take is greatly affected, and you should always be cognisant of the importance of making these switches to your routine.
Making the initial switch
Making the initial green shift will often require a certain amount of money to start. This is due to the fact that you may need to change the systems you currently have installed in your home, as they waste too much energy. The same concept applies to businesses and schools that are looking to turn eco-friendly. Does your fridge use too much power? What about your toilet? Perhaps your light bulbs are not as green as they should be? Even installing solar-powered light systems requires you to take out a certain amount of money. Consider the initial adjustment as your investment towards a better life, for which you will need an initial loan. Given today’s advancements in both the technology and the financial sector, you can easily file for an online credit that you will get in no time. You can read more about this on BonsaiFinance.es, and thus sort out the details for the money you need.
Recycle
Recycling is the first steps towards green living, and while the money-saving benefits are not evident right away, it still helps you live a better life. Firstly, recycling helps the earth as it reduces the amount of waste that needs to be used. If you live in a city like London, recycling can prevent a ton of waste from ending up in landfills!
Also recycling helps diminish the cost of manufacturing. To make this stage easier, the items that must be recycled will often have a label on them! As a general note, remember that plastic, paper, cardboard and even aluminium is recyclable.
Reduce
The amount of excess waste that you reduce will undoubtedly affect your money saving ventures. One example of this can be seen on your monthly energy bill. Consider using less electricity when possible, and even installing systems that are energy-efficient (remember that you took out the loan to do this). You can monitor your reduction over the span of a few weeks and thus steadily become more eco-friendly with time. In today’s day and age, going paperless is easier than ever, and so this is another eco-friendly change that helps the environment. Moreover, if you are a business that is looking to reduce their waste, the government will even offer grants to support your innovative ideas.
Reuse
The third ‘R’ in sustainable living is the reuse aspect; which further helps reduce the cost of living. The more you reuse, the less you will have to recycle and thus buy. The next time you go grocery shopping, why not bring your own reusable bag to fill produce with? Limit the number of plastic water bottles you buy by purchasing a single reusable bottle that you can always fill with tap water. This can even be used when buying your morning coffee.
Yet another way to reuse and thus limit money is through purchasing second-hand clothes. You never know what unique items you will find while thrifting and your wallet will certainly be happier you have chosen this option.
Food
What exactly is sustainable food? This includes food that is not sprayed with pesticides, is locally grown or even homegrown. If you have the space to support it around your home, why not plant your own fruits and vegetables? They will taste much better than what you find in stores, and will once again be the cheaper alternative. Of course, you can also simply take a trip out to the farmer’s market over the weekend and support the sustainable economy as a result of it! Lastly, do not forget to compost at the end of the day. Certain food provides nutrients to the soil and thus acts as a natural fertiliser, thereby helping more plants grow in that area.
Transportation
What is your primary source of transportation? Most people use a car, which not only costs an excessive amount but also does nothing to help the environment. The reality is that biking to work is often a possible solution, especially for those that do not live far, and overall health will even benefit from it. Public transportation is another method to save money and energy. If none of these suit your lifestyle, you can also consider the benefits of good old fashioned walking, especially during the warmer weather months.
The importance
People often do not want to make drastic changes to their everyday routine due to the fact that it appears difficult. Going green, on the other hand, is both easy and the importance of doing so affects future generations. There isn’t an unlimited amount of natural resources, and people often forget this. The more people waste the world’s clean water and energy, the less there will be both months and years down the line. Thus, think about your lifestyle as it not only affects you but those around you and the very planet, which you live on. Taking the grand scheme into consideration often makes the decision to become eco-friendly much easier!
How many of these sustainable practices have you already adopted? It’s never too late to start, and you can even be the role model for both your friends and family in the process. In the meantime, be proud of the green choices you have made as you are helping the environment, reaping the personal health benefits and saving money while doing it all!
