How to Make Your Household More Eco-Friendly

With the World Cleanup Day just behind our backs, we, at Fantastic Services, have decided to contribute to the cause through this extensive blog post that will help you transform your home into a more eco-friendly place.

These simple, yet effective methods can both give a helping hand to the struggling Mother Earth and save you a bit of money in the long run. So, if you happen to be someone that:

• wants to be environmentally proactive
• is looking for a way to save up on your electricity bill
• or is just curious about how these things work

You are definitely in the right place.

But first… 

The environmental problems we are facing

The first thing that comes to mind when somebody says the word “environment” is global warming. Yes, this is definitely a HUGE problem and is one that we have been faced with for many years, but it’s not the only one. We humans have a bad habit of “contributing” to our lovely planet in very interesting ways – from water pollution to deforestation, you name it and we’ve probably done it. That being said, here are the 5 top environmental problems that we need to be aware of:

Water pollution

Water is one of the most important resources that we have and its current condition is far from desirable. With major oils spills, a lot of floating plastic bags and straws, and damage from toxic chemicals, the future doesn’t look very bright. 

Non-recyclable products

One word – access amount of packaging. Bigger countries continue to produce unbelievable quantities of non-recyclable products like plastic containers, bags, straws, bottles – the list just doesn’t stop. Even though scientists try to improve the situation by introducing biodegradable plastics, the problem remains extremely serious mainly because the majority of these products end up in the oceans, as above-mentioned.

Deforestation

You know what plants and trees provide – oxygen, food, water and even in some cases – medicine. With illegal logging, the absurd numbers of wildfires annually, and the use of timber for, well, everything, the number of trees that are destroyed each day is alarming. If we have to translate the whole situation into numbers, according to the World Bank, we are talking about 502,000 square miles of long-gone forest since 1999. 

Loss of biodiversity

When you combine global warming, deforestation and overall pollution, what do you get? An ecosystem in danger. Many species have literally disappeared from the face of the planet due to human actions and continue to do so. There are many natural processes that are at serious risk, including, you guessed it – pollination. 

Climate change

As per usual, we have left the “best” for last. Climate change is not a taboo anymore – it’s a fact. Recent studies have shown that if proper actions aren’t taken fast, we will start to experience the dangerous effects of global warming in about a decade from now. 

Ocean temperatures are rising at an abnormal pace leaving us and the wildlife on earth with suffering underwater species, massive floods, loss of land, and anomalous weather events.

How to make your home eco-friendly

Now that we’ve covered the environmental risks, it’s time to talk about the actions that can be taken against them. Positive change begins with a proper, positive mindset. Anyone can help to restore the state of our planet by doing small things and why not start with an eco-friendly house? Below you will find 10 tips that can aid you in the creation of an eco-responsible home.

Ready to think green? 

#1 No more plastic anything

As we’ve already discussed, plastic is a major issue. One of the main ways to make a house eco-friendly is by forgetting about non-recyclable plastic products. We are talking about plastic bags from the supermarket, using straws, take out boxes, and etc. So, next time you go shopping, get yourself a cloth bag and say no to the cashier when they offer you a plastic one. Same applies to the straw situation in your favourite pub. Check our post on how to reduce plastic use for more ways to banish the harmful material from your everyday life and home.

#2 Swap paper for cotton

Think about it – every household has absurd amounts of paper in every form: toilet paper, paper bags, kitchen paper, office paper, paper, paper, paper… Some of these items can’t be replaced with pieces of cloth, but with others, you can improvise. Try making yourself a few rags from old t-shirts and use those to clean your windows, for example. Or why not make hand towels from them? An additional plus is that you also get to save a bit of money this way. 

#3 Invest in LED bulbs

Another way to be eco-friendly at home is to replace all of your regular light bulbs with LED ones. Yes, they are a bit more expensive but will last you longer, use less electricity, and, of course – help the environment.

#4 Give recycled products a try

Anything from clothes and furniture to electronics. Say “No!” to the monster that is our consumer society and start shopping in thrift stores and vintage furniture places. By doing this, you help in the war against the creation of massive quantities of, well, everything, also help our planet, AND get to save a bit of money. How great is that? And you won’t believe the treasures that you can find in your corner thrift store. 

#5 Use water wisely

We understand that you want your favourite pair of jeans washed TODAY, but more important things are at stake. Make sure to have a complete load before you turn your washing machine on and while we are on the topic how to have an eco-friendly home – use a cold rinse cycle to save electricity. Same applies for your dishwasher as well. Another good idea is to fill your sink when doing your dishes, instead of letting the water flow freely. 

#6 Make your own cleaning products

You’ve read the labels of the cleaning detergents you use around your house and you know how toxic they are. Imagine the same toxic elements entering the water stream, once you empty your bucket into the sink after cleaning the floor, for example. That being said, another good eco idea for the home is to stir up your own cleaning products and clean green. You can actually make a clothes washing detergent out of conkers and clean practically anything with vinegar! Yes, you can even clean your freezer naturally (without turning it off, too).

#7 Embrace your inner gardener

We talked about the “abundance” of green life nowadays. If you want to contribute to the cause and happen to like gardening, why not plant an herb or two in your house? And if you own a big garden, you can also grow your own veggies and fruit. The options are countless. While you are at it, try growing your very own three! Oxygen for everybody!

#8 Eat less meat

Going vegetarian or vegan is not for everyone, but you can still make a positive impact when it comes to the biodiversity problem. Try cutting a bit of your usual animal product intake from your diet. You can start by having one meat-free or dairy-free day a week. And if you find yourself feeling better mentally and physically, why not make it two days or three? Who knows, maybe in the end, having a vegetarian lifestyle is for you. 

#9 Make yourself a compost bin

We know that this eco-house tip sounds a bit messy and… smelly, but it doesn’t have to be if you do it correctly. When you are done with your cooking endeavours, gather all of your scraps and place them in the compost bin, add a bit of water and voilà – DIY fertiliser for your garden! Depending on your preferred composting method, you can use anything from eggshells, tea bags, and banana peels to leftover pizza. 

If you live in a flat, don’t worry – you don’t necessarily need to have a garden for this. Check out our blog post on composting in an apartment to learn more!

#10 Teach your children to think green

This is probably the best advice that we can give you. Make time to tell your children the importance of all of the things we mentioned above. By helping them understand the significance of keeping our planet clean, you create a future generation that will not react to problems but will prevent them from occurring in the first place. 

Our Fantastic approach towards the environmental issues

Every company out there has a duty towards the environment, and Fantastic Services is a brand that keeps this responsibility close to the heart. We always strive to incorporate our eco-friendly approach in everything we do, no matter if we are talking about the services that we provide for our clients or in the way we market ourselves. 

Our Clean Advertising methods

When it comes to advertising, last July we did what we know to do best – be creative, innovative, and of course – eco-friendly. With the concept to find an untraditional and environmentally aware way to market the brand, we came up with the following solution – We reverse graffitied the streets of London with a promo code that our future and current clients can use for their services. And how is this eco-friendly you ask? 

Well, for starters, we didn’t use absurd amounts of paper in the form of flyers and posters that can create litter afterwards and will need to be recycled. And the stencils themselves were made with only with water and on dirty pavements, meaning that after time, with the help of a little foot traffic and rain – they disappear. Can’t get more eco-friendly that this. 

Part of the cause

Last March, Fantastic Services teamed up with environmental non-profit organisation Thames21 and participated in the very successful cleaning of the river Thames. Seven of our Fantastic employees partnered up with the NPO’s volunteers and helped clear up a shore section of the river. And we didn’t stop there… 

Inspired by the NPO’s vision, Fantastic Services also donated proceeds from a raffle that took place at the First Annual Fantastic Services Franchise Conference in February this year to Thames21. 

Takeaways

• Stay aware. We know that reading about melting ice caps and endangered species is not a very pleasurable task, but it’s an important one if you want to be eco-friendly.
• These steps may not seem like much, but you won’t believe what an impact a LED bulb can make in the long run. The more of these eco home ideas you adopt, the better for the environment. 
• Talk to your children about it. Create a better future for the planet by raising better people.

If you’re looking for more tips on eco-friendly living, check out our guide on how to reduce food waste at home next!

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Image source: Shutterstock / Photographee.eu