6 Fuss-free ways to reduce our carbon footprint (without leaving the home!)
It ain’t easy, being green: the movement towards environmental sustainability is a fickle beast. Countless factors are at play in the push for a green planet. For a single person, the transition can feel daunting. Living in a world where major corporations and countries are the biggest offenders for global emissions(1), how much can a lone individual really do?
Fortunately, the world is slowly becoming more eco-conscious. We’re celebrating our own small accomplishments towards a cleaner planet and maintaining our momentum towards substantial change at a global level. There are plenty of small changes that can be made in the home that help to reduce waste, clean the air, and conserve nature.
Without setting a foot out the front door, here are some small, super-easy, super-green ideas to reduce our carbon footprint.
Launder clothes with cold water
A staggering amount of energy used in our washing machines goes towards heating water: up to 90%! (2) Making the switch to cold water laundering greatly reduces energy consumption. Washing in cold water reduces the chance for fabric staining (whereas hot water can “set” stains) and keeps coloured and dyed fabrics looking sharp. Consider washing even 4 out of 5 loads in cold water to reduce CO2 emissions and save energy.
This concentrated laundry detergent from The Bare Home is colour-safe, free of phosphates and dyes, and extremely effective in cold water! It even comes in a 3-litre refill box so you can refill your reusable dispenser at home; the use of bulk-size containers lower CO2 emissions and plastic waste by over 80%, so you can feel good about using The Bare Home: it’s good for you, your home and the earth.
Shop The Bare Home Laundry Detergent
Hang to dry
Dryers are convenient. They’re quick, effective, and eliminate the hassle of hanging our clothes up on a line. But they are huge energy hogs, coming in right after the refrigerator in energy consumption. Investing in a drying rack or hanging our clothes out to dry – even just once per week – can drastically reduce carbon emissions and help save on utility bills. Not only that, by removing the wear and tear of a dryer cycle, clothes will last considerably longer, preventing the buildup of textiles in landfills.
If it’s cold outside, we lack the space, or simply prefer using a dryer, consider these pure wool dryer balls. Made from the natural wool of happy sheep, they absorb excess moisture, remove static, and cut down on the time clothes need to be in the dryer.
Shop our Moss Creek Wool Works Pure Wool Dryer Balls
Collect water from the shower
We’re not suggesting showering in cold water – we’re not monsters – but in that minute or so where we leave the shower running to warm up before hopping in, we’re literally letting money and clean resources run down the drain. Consider keeping a bucket or pitcher in the bathroom to collect that minute’s worth of water before getting in. We use it on our plants, or reserve for use in cleaning later in the day.
Check out this elegant metal wash pitcher for everyday household use, ethically produced with no plastics.
… But what about cooking water?
Fun fact: plants love starchy water! Water retained from boiling potatoes, pasta, beans, eggs, and vegetables can be marvelous for gardening purposes. The starch and nutrients leached into the water during cooking help soil retain moisture, thereby reducing the amount of times we need to go back and water our plants. It promotes the storage of nutrients within the soil and may reduce the amount of synthetic fertilizers we need to use later.
Just be careful not to use water that has been salted or seasoned in any way, and allow the water to cool completely before using.
Make homemade stock with food scraps
Don’t throw away those veggie scraps! The root ends of onions, garlic peels, carrot skins, and other vegetable bits & pieces can be collected for homemade vegetable stock. Store them in a large bag in the freezer. When it’s full, empty it into a pot, cover with water, and simmer for at least thirty minutes up to several hours. Strain, season if desired, and use in our favourite soup recipes or pop back into the freezer for use when we’re ready.
Avoid using leafy or cruciferous vegetables such as brussel sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli, as these can turn bitter. The staple vegetables, like celery, carrots, onions, and garlic, all freeze extremely well and make an amazing low-waste vegetable stock.
Store your vegetables plastic-free with our new favourite food-storage bags!
Make our own cleaning products
Common commercial cleaners were made to make domestic life easier, but not necessarily safer: many conventional products carry health concerns for the family, and the manufacture and disposability of their packaging can contribute to environmental pollution. We can reduce the amount of conventional synthetic chemicals and plastics in our environment by switching to simple DIY cleaners. Using equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle, maybe a few drops of lemon or tea tree essential oil, will tackle most surfaces.
This recipe for an herbal cleaning powder takes on tougher messes, especially when paired with eco-friendly scouring pads:
Herbal Cleaning Powder
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Ingredients
- 1/3 cup Ground Soap Flakes
- 1 1/2 cups Washing Soda
- 1 cup Borax
- 1 tsp Rosemary
- 12 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
- 12 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
- 12 drops Lemon Essential Oil
Instructions
- Grind soap flakes on “low” in high-powered blender or food processor until it resembles coarse sand, making sure it does not blend so much that it melts. If you cannot find soap flakes, grate a plain, unscented soap bar.
- Grind rosemary in mortar & pestle or spice grinder.
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well incorporated and store in airtight container or mason jar for up to 2 years.
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Herbal Cleaning Powder
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Ingredients
Instructions
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Recipe Notes
To use: Sprinkle powder as needed across sinks, tubs, and tile floors. Scrub with a wet brush or sponge. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
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KolyaNaturals.com
Shop Full Circle’s Walnut Shell Scouring Pads
Practicing good green habits at an individual level is not to be underestimated. Collectively making small changes in the home can contribute to positive change for the environment. Do you have any household tips for reducing emissions and greening the planet? We want to hear it! Let us know in the comments below!
References:
1. Climate Accountability Institute. “CDP Carbon Majors Report.” The Carbon Majors Database. 2017. Web.
2. The United States Environmental Protection Agency. “Earth Month Tip: Wash Your Clothes in Cold Water.” The EPA Blog. 2014. Web.
