We’re kicking off the first part of our Waste series, where we share tips on how to manage waste as part of our daily habits. In this article, we highlight how we can embark on our sustainability journey right at home!
We will start with 3 main areas: the kitchen, bathroom and living space!
In the kitchen:
1. Cooking more often
Enjoying home-cooked meals not only helps to save money but it also saves the Earth. By cooking often at home, we can reduce the amount of waste generated from food packaging, as well as transport emissions that would typically come from the delivery transportation. One tip is to prepare ahead and cook only what is needed to reduce food waste. If there are leftovers, don’t fret! Simply store them away (in reusable plastic-free containers!) and have them the next day or turn them into new dishes later!
2. Reuse water
After washing rice and vegetables, collect the used water for any outdoor or indoor plants. Not only will this save water, but it will also provide the plants with added nutrients from the food that could help to promote their growth!
3. Use sustainable products
Make the switch to sustainable kitchen products so that cooking up a storm is still doing good for the environment. You can use eco-friendly greaseproof parchment paper for convenient cooking and baking needs, like APP's Foopak greaseproof slip easy paper. It has excellent grease and heat resistance while being biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable. To keep your food fresh, use beeswax wraps, a plastic-free alternative to cling film!
In the bathroom:
4. Opt for environmentally friendly, refillable packaging
Refilled soap and shampoo bottles are awesome for the planet! When we reuse these bottles instead of tossing them after one use, we're doing the Earth a big favor. Refilling stations make it super easy too. You just bring your empty bottle and fill it up. No need for new plastic each time, which means less pollution from making all those bottles.
5. Quick showers to save water
You might have heard of this one before. One of the easiest ways to save the Earth is to take shorter showers! Even a one-minute reduction in shower time can save a significant amount of water. Did you know that by reducing shower time from the average 7 minutes to 4 minutes, we can save 24 litres of water per shower? Even turning off the tap while soaping or shampooing our hair goes a long way in saving those precious drops!
In the living space:
6. Choose energy-efficient appliances
Upgrading to energy-efficient household appliances like refrigerators and washing machines can easily reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills. Consider appliances with advanced features like programmable settings and energy-saving modes for optimal efficiency. Small things like making the switch to eco-friendly, energy-saving LED lamps can also go a long way!
7. Reuse old boxes for storage
Reuse old boxes or storage containers to store clothes, accessories or other household items. Get creative with these boxes by starting DIY projects to decorate or customize them and give them a new life!
Making these small changes at home can make a huge difference for the environment. Let’s do our part to save the Earth today!