How to make your home more eco-friendly today

"Start small and you'll be surprised how easy it is to make a change."

Going green is not only a huge trend in 2022, but it is an important decision to make when thinking about our planet. And believe me, it is not all about installing solar panels or investing in a new selection of Energy Star Appliances. No, there actually are more, smaller, things that you can do from the comfort of your own home.

LED-Bulbs

Today's most energy-efficient and rapidly-developing lighting technology. Quality LED light bulbs last longer, are more durable, and offer comparable or better light quality than other types of lighting. And remember, durability = sustainability.

Fewer paper towels Don't get me wrong - you are still allowed to use paper towels, however, why don't you try to minimise the use of these and use rags instead? Whether you make them yourself by cutting up old t-shirts or buy them from a cute store - with every paper towel you don't use, you're making a positive contribution to the environment.

Line-dry more often I know how tempting the benefits of a dryer can be at times, but let's be honest, is it always necessary to put your clothes into the dryer? Honestly, most of your clothes will last longer if you let them air-dry anyway. Don't like the look of a drying-rack in your space? Why don't you just purchase a good-looking drying rack? There are plenty of those, too.

Get window treatments Bare windows not only look a bit naked, they also let in heat and cool air from the outside, even when they are closed. Curtains and blinds can remedy this situation.

Time to buy a house plant Turn some of the CO2 into O2 by potting (and actually taking care of) a ficus or dracaena.

Don't have a green thumb? Stay tuned and make sure to read my upcoming blog posts for some tips and tricks on how to take care of your beloved house plants.

Use your totes

Pretty much anyone has one - a stack of totes you've compiled over the years. To keep this stack from growing any further, toss one in your trunk and one in your work bag so you're never at the grocery store without one.

Get a recycling and compost bin

It seems safe to say that you'll be 100 percent more likely to recycle if you actually have a designated places to put your beer bottles, jam jars or similar. So why not getting a separate bin for them? Same goes for your compost.

Bypass the elevator Not only that it is a good New Year's resolution but it also contributes positively to the environment.

Declutter and give away Begin by taking a look at your space, or a pile of items which may have accumulated in a cupboard or closet. Split your belongings into things you want to keep, versus items that don't have much meaning or purpose in your life and give them away. Think of the great secondhand shop down the street. I'm pretty sure someone else might be happy about stuff that you no longer need.

Fill your dishwasher all the way before running it

And if you really can't wait, run the machine on the "top rack only" setting that so many machines have these days, instead of doing a full run for just four wine glasses.

Get a low-flow shower head

Just look for one with good reviews online, it's very simple. And the environment will thank you, especially if you like taking long showers.

Switch to online-bill pay

We all know that reducing paper consumption can make a positive contribution and save many trees in the long run. So, why not starting by switching to online-bill pay?

Embrace e-readers And if you think just a little bit like me that's one of the biggest challenges. E-readers instead of books. Personally, I find this a very difficult change to implement, as I just love the feeling of real books in my hands too much. But maybe, one day, somebody will actually manage to convince me to get an e-reader, too.

The above points, as well as many other things, contribute positively to the environment and can make a difference. The more we try to live more environmentally conscious and to pass on this way of thinking and living to others, the greater the chances are to influence our world positively on a long term. We only get one planet. Humankind must become accountable on a massive scale for the wanton destruction of our collective home. Protecting our future on this planet depends on the conscious evolution of our species.

Is there anything you would like to share with me on this topic or in general? Please feel free to reach out: timeasdesign@gmail.com