Many people make the obvious green home improvements – such as installing better insulation, switching to energy efficient appliances, and replacing old windows with double glazing – but then become stuck on ways to further reduce their carbon footprint. To give you some inspiration, here are some unexpected ways to make your property even more eco-friendly.
Install concrete flooring
If your old floors are old and need replacing, then you should consider simple energy efficient flooring solutions like concrete. Concrete flooring is one of the most eco-friendly building materials available on the market as it is made from readily abundant natural materials, is highly durable, and can even reduce the amount of energy needed to heat your home. Unlike traditional flooring like carpet, concrete does not retain any dirt particles or dust. Any debris will sit on top and can be easily noticed and swept up. For this reason, having concrete flooring also helps improve the air quality in your home. Polished concrete flooring is trendy, easy to maintain, versatile and long-lasting, making it a popular floor choice in modern contemporary homes.
Make your own cleaning products
Most commercial cleaning products contain a huge number of harmful ingredients and toxic chemicals. These toxins can enter our water sources and be extremely damaging to the environment. Fortunately, the majority of cleaning tasks can be completed just as effectively using natural products like vinegar, tea tree oil, citrus fruits, and bicarbonate of soda. Making your own cleaning remedies will help the environment and also save you money on expensive cleaning supplies. Click here for ideas of how to create your own eco-friendly cleaning products at home.
Create your own compost
Food scraps and garden waste make up a big proportion of what we throw away. You can stop these items from going to waste by turning them into compost. Compost reduces the amount of waste in your kitchen bin, therefore reducing the amount of waste that ends up at landfills. Compost can also be used as an effective soil additive and natural plant fertiliser. The best part is, it’s super easy to make your own compost. Simply purchase a compost bin, store it somewhere level where worms can get to it, and make sure you put the right things in it. According to The Eden Project – “Good things to compost include vegetable peelings, fruit waste, teabags, and grass cuttings. You can also include things such as cardboard egg boxes, crushed eggshells, paper, and fallen leaves.”
Buy recycled products
It is now possible to buy a vast range of recycled products. Obvious choices include toilet paper and kitchen roll, but you can also buy recycled technology like mobiles and laptops. Recycled products are just as reliable and effective as their non-recycled counterparts, and they use far less energy and resources. What’s more, buying recycled products helps to create a demand for the materials collected in recycling programs and prevents those items from ending up in a landfill. Whenever you make a purchase, help the environment by checking whether there is a recycled option available.
