E-Volving your home

12% of all greenhouse gas emissions stem from the domestic/residential sector; this is greater than even the agricultural sector! The rise of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere is believed to be the single biggest factor to global warming, a process which is having devastating effects. If each individual household took action to make their home a little more eco friendly, this percentage would decrease dramatically. Combating this global crisis in a realistic and small scale way. Ranging from recycling to living off the grid there many ways, little and big, to convert your home into a more eco friendly place. Making your home eco friendly is an evolution not a revolution; it takes time and small steps, so here are some small steps…

Natural Cleaning Products

Many cleaning product contain harmful toxins and chemicals, which in the long term can have negative effects on your health and the environment. Where possible try to purchase natural cleaning products, which are more often than not even more effective.

You can even try a bit of DIY and use vinegar, lemon or baking soda, to cut the cost of natural products which can sometimes be expensive for a budget. For some great natural cleaning brands and products, click here.

Recycle, Reduce, Reuse!

You have most likely heard it before and will most likely hear it many more times, that’s because it’s a super simple but effective way of being eco friendly! By recycling just one tonne of paper, 17 trees and 4000KW of energy are saved- enough to power a house for a year.

Here are the 3R’s and what they mean:

Recycle: this one you probably know, dispose of waste where possible into the recycling bin not the general waste bin. This waste will then be converted into reusable material.

Reduce: at the end of a products/packaging life it often goes to landfill, by reducing the amount of material objects you buy you can reduce this waste.

Reuse: if something gets broken/ripped fix it, use old packaging (i.e. a jam jar, candle pots) as storage containers, don’t dispose of something if it has another potential use.

If you try to follow these rules, where possible, your waste will be significantly less. You will be helping to conserve natural resources, landfill space and energy.

Invest In A Water Filter

38 million plastic bottles go to landfill yearly, in America alone. Buy investing in a form of water filter (whether you opt for a whole house, under the sink, a faucet or a water pitcher filter)you can help reduce this vast number whilst still being able to drink filtered water. Over time this investment, big or small, will profit you in comparison to water bottles, for which 90% of the cost is for the packaging and not the actual water. Here are a range of different water filters, so you can explore your options.

Allotments & Animals

First of all, if you live in a property where it just isn’t possible to create a small vegetable patch outside don’t worry there are still plenty of things you can do to green your home:

o Keep potted herbs around your home

o Grow indoor fruits and veg (i.e. tomatoes, strawberries)

o Grow a chilly plant

o Keep cacti and other house plants

However, if you do have a moderately sized garden or land and a bit of time on your hands then it’s a great idea to keep an allotment and potentially some chickens. Ranging from just a few vegetable patches to a full allotment with chickens, growing your own food is great for these reasons:

• Less long distance importing of shop brought food
• No unhealthy pesticides on your fresh produce
• Own grown food is more nutritious than shop brought food
• Saves you money
• Growing your own crops promotes you to be physically active