How to Live a More Sustainable Life
Many of us are making more of an effort to lead greener, more sustainable lifestyles. It’s not always the most convenient way to do things, but it is better for the environment and doesn’t take that much effort once you get used to it. From taking your own shopping bags with you everywhere to even switching from disposable pens to fountain pens, you’d be surprised by the number of ways you can live more sustainable lives in your Lakeville MN homes.
If you’ve been following the latest trend of getting rid of anything that doesn’t spark joy in your life, make sure you’re recycling rather than simply throwing things away. If an item is still usable, donate it to a charity or thrift store, sell it in a consignment shop, hold a garage sale, or offer it up for sale or for free on one of the many Facebook groups or websites like Freecycle, Craig’s List, or Next Door.
If some items, such as old clothing, are too worn out, don’t just toss them, either. Consider cutting them up to use as dusters and cleaning rags. Rethink your cleaning supplies. You don’t need paper towels to wipe up every spill if you have old towels that could do the job and be reused. While you’re at it, consider making your own environmentally friendly cleaners. You’ll find a wealth of recipes online for cleaners that cover every need, from grease to glass. These have the benefit of using natural ingredients that aren’t harmful to the environment or your own lungs.
One area you may not have considered as you try to lead a more sustainable life is the simple act of shaving. There’s no reason men and women can’t use the same types of razors. Instead of shelling out big bucks for disposable razors or replacement blades and all the plastic that goes with them, consider purchasing one of the timeless metal safety razors, which use all-metal replacements. These razors swivel and offer a great grip, don’t dump a ton of plastic in landfills, and actually look pretty cool.
How many times have you put a load of laundry in the dryer and then forgotten about it and it ends up all wrinkled? If you take a few minutes to hang your clothing outdoors on a line, instead of using a dryer, you’ll probably have fewer wrinkles to iron out, you’ll save money on your energy bills, keep your home cooler during the summer, and reduce your household’s carbon footprint by 10 percent. Drying clothes outside isn’t always an option, but whenever possible, give it a try. Even setting up a drying rack indoors in the laundry room or an out-of-the-way space is a great alternative when the elements won’t let you dry outside.
When it comes to food storage, consider glass or reusable storage bags and wraps, rather than all of those plastic bags and containers. Glass doesn’t hold stains and smells like plastic does, and an increasing number of environmentally friendly container sealers are now available so you can step away from the plastic wrap. Glass storage containers not only look nice, but they tend to keep ingredients fresher for longer, as well as keep pests out of your cabinets and keep your shelves cleaner. Plus, you can always see exactly how much you have on hand.
These are just a handful of ways to make your Lakeville MN homes more sustainable. From setting the thermostat a little higher during the summer to drinking tap water rather than bottled water, you can make a small difference in your own home. And remember small differences add up!
