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Green Living: Turn Your Home Into Eco-Friendly Sanctuary

(Photo Source: constructionreviewonline.com)

Make small changes for significant impact

Living a greener lifestyle is more important than ever. It’s not as difficult or as expensive as you might think, either. There are some changes you can make right away, while others will take time. Either way, you will notice that green living isn’t hard, and some apparent benefits include money-saving.

The first thing you can do is buy less meat and buy locally. A perfect combination is getting organic, locally grown products plus including meat-free days in your family meals. It’s good for your health, environment and once you get into cooking without meat, you’ll start saving money. We should buy fewer foods because over 30 percent ends up as waste.

Use your phone or laptop to read the news, instead of buying printed magazines. Similarly, you can use e-tickets for traveling, concerts, or filing taxes online. As much as reducing paper usage is beneficial, it’s even more important to avoid plastic, which is common knowledge at this point. Use eco-friendly reusable bags, as well as water bottles, and don’t forget to recycle, even when you don’t feel like it.

Energy-saving bulbs last up to 15 times longer, so combined with the fact that they are saving you money, you should make this switch ASAP.

You can make cleaning products that are safer for you and your family. If you don’t have the time, buy organic. Many conventional detergents are full of harmful chemicals that end up in the oceans, polluting them and killing the ecosystems.

Wash full loads, and if you are buying a new washing machine or any similar device, make sure it has Energy Star on it. This means that it’s energy-efficient, saving you money, reducing water consumption, and more power to you if you chose to wash dishes and clothes in cold water. Instead of the dryer, hang clothes to dry naturally, whenever it is possible.

If you have enough space to create your garden, focus on planting native species. This way, you’re creating a healthier habitat for wildlife. Also, you’re making greenery that’s easier to maintain. You can do your part even if you don’t have a yard. Growing foods on balconies is an ongoing trend, and once you learn the basics, you’ll be able to save even more and eat better than ever.

Don’t throw your old phones, because they are full of chemicals and heavy metals. You can easily recycle them on mygreenelectronics.org. Furthermore, the site also provides a list of electronic devices that are easier on the environment and your energy bill.