Reducing our ecological footprint begins by adopting sustainable, earth-friendly habits at home, the place where we spend over a third of our life. In addition to recycling, buying organic foods and products, conserving resources, reducing emissions and replacing our traditional products, light and appliances with eco-friendly ones, here are six sustainable, easy and earth-friendly ways to go green at home.
Eliminate Artificial Air Fresheners
Studies show that chemically-laden synthetic air fresheners actually emit toxins and deteriorate air quality, causing indoor pollution. Inhaling artificial fresheners, scented candles or scented lamps can deposit lead, phthalates, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide into the air and cause ailments like tumors or cancer. To freshen up the air, turn to nature instead and keep a few fragrant flowers in different rooms or open the windows to let in pure spring air.
Use Land Derived Linens
If bed sheets and linens are made of regular cotton or polyester, they have likely been exposed to harmful pesticides, dyes, chlorine bleaching agents or other chemicals during the fabric’s manufacturing process. Natural, earth-friendly fabrics are breathable, naturally antibacterial, environmentally sustainable, moisture-blocking and ultra-comfortable. Eco- alternative bed linens include organic linen or cotton, and natural fibers like bamboo or hemp.
Toss Out Toxic Chemicals
Skin Deep, a Cosmetics and Safety Database, independently reviewed the synthetic ingredients in many popular skin care and cosmetics lines. They found that many ingredients are harmful chemicals that are permitted in trace amounts in cosmetics. Some common ingredients are even known carcinogens and banned or restricted in other countries, due to suspected health hazards. Sift through everyday skin and beauty products. Check the ingredient labels carefully and review their toxicity levels at www.cosmeticsdatabase.com . Replace toxic products with natural, organic, chemical and preservative free formulas.
Practice Green Gardening
Everyone is concerned about pesticides and chemicals sprayed on foods, so kill weeds in your garden with environmentally sustainable weed controllers to protect soil quality and surrounding plants and wildlife. Prune and pull out weeds by hand, buy natural weed killers to control your garden, or just spray plain, old-fashioned white vinegar on the offending foliage to kill it the chemical free way.
Recycle Batteries and Electronics
Millions of household batteries and electronics, including computers and cell phones, get tossed away and build up in landfills every year. They contain harmful, hazardous and corrosive components that seep into the ecosystem and are toxic to the food and water supply. It’s actually illegal to dump out old electronics due to high lead levels in appliances, so return electronics to the manufacturer or recycling depot for proper disposal and recycling. When using batteries, try using re-chargeable versions, where possible, and contact the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) to find out where to throw them away.
Cut Back on Plastic
Plastics diffuse poisons, kill aquatic species, and can only be made by extracting valuable, non-renewable resources from the earth. Although recyclable, only about 20% of plastic water bottles ever see a recycling bin, and most end up being dumped away with regular garbage. Cut down on bottled water purchases and install a water filtration device on your tap or use a water jug with a built in filter.
Plastic bags also do not biodegrade either, and must photo-degrade, or be broken down by light instead. Plastic bags are also made of precious petroleum, and plastic bag production uses up finite and scarce oil reserves. For home storage, use cardboard boxes or rubbery totes, and when shopping and packaging, use cloth bags.
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