Simple Steps to Save Money and Save the Environment

On a daily basis, thousands of hundreds of households across the globe contribute to significant air, landfill and water pollution. This is not only a burning environmental concern, but also a finances mater, as the average American household cannot currently sustain the minimum middle-class living standard. But, it has been proved that reducing waste is a smart way to reduce a family’s expenses at the same time. Learn below how you may be unintentionally harming the environment and your budget, but also some interesting solutions.

Issue #1: Your family generates too much trash

The volumes of waste generated yearly across Canada have reached historical levels. The most concerning aspect about this is that the vast majority of it ends up in landfills. Until now, everybody knows that garbage in landfills fails to properly decompose. This has been discovered almost three decades ago, by a University of Arizona professor. You might be surprised to find out, but there were some incredible cases where newspapers as old as two decades were still easy to read, but also some cases in which some organic waste was found intact in landfills. But more concerning than organic and biodegradable waste generated by households all over the world, the plastic waste issue arises. In the USA, almost 10 percent of the waste generated at a national level, is plastic. So, what is the solution to cut down the trash your family generates but also cash that it wastes?

Solution #1: Cut down and downsize

Reduce, reuse and recycle. This is the simplest rule that families all over the world can apply to decrease their monthly expenses and trash production. Reuse what can be reused. Instead of buying bottled water, invest in a water purifier for your whole system and invest in several reusable water bottles. This will help you cut down approximately 2.5 million water bottles that end up in landfills, from a single household, each day. Be more conscious at the grocery store. Try to invest in fabric bags and avoid using the plastic ones offered in each supermarket. Search for those grocery stores that pride themselves on eliminating plastic bags and introduce paper bags, there are some good options out there. Also, try to exclusively purchase fresh produce and try to consume it as fast as possible. In case you buy perishables, freeze those until you are ready to eat them. When it comes to organic house waste, make compost out of it. There are some specifically developed bins for this purpose. Metal parts such as cans and old cutlery can be successfully taken to metal recycling facilities.

Issue #2: Water waste

Water waste is another burning environmental issue in our society. Only in the US, there are daily wasted approximately 7 billion gallons of drinking water, while other areas of the globe struggle with a severe drinking water shortage. Access to clean and potable water could prevent billions of people from dying of severe conditions. Still, wealthy societies choose to waste so much drinking water. This does not only impact the environment, but also your household’s budget, in the long run.

Solution #2: Fix plumbing faults and save as much water as you possibly can

Small steps quickly add up. Instead of leaving all your leaky faucets and plumbs leak, fix those as quickly as possible. Also, try to turn off your water when not actively using it (e.g. When brushing your teeth, during other routine chores). When waiting for your shower to warm up, make sure to place a bucket under it and collect part of the water. With it, try to water the plants or clean your house. This will help you reduce a vast amount of the water usually wasted.

Issue #3: Electricity Waste

A Business Insider report claims that the American society is yearly wasting more than $145 billions on electricity. More than 30 percent of the greenhouse gasses generated by the US is due to an increased use of electrical energy. This means that wasted electricity is generating more greenhouse gasses than agriculture and transportation, in US’ case.

Solution #3: Learn how to save electrical energy

Saving electricity will not only help you decrease the greenhouse gasses generated, but it will also help you save some generous money on electricity bills. Simple steps such as turning off appliances and lights when not actively needing them, unplugging all your chargers when not using those, these small details will help you save so much money. Energy Star certified appliances or light bulbs will help you reduce the energy consumption in your household by almost 75%. Make sure that all your appliances are properly cared for, as this will also help you cut some of the expenses. A good insulation system will also allow you to save plenty of energy by reducing the intervals for which you have to use your heating or cooling systems to achieve a proper indoor temperature.

Issue #4: Air pollution

Air pollution is one of the most concerning aspects of our era. Not only it damages the environment, but it can also lead to severe respiratory issues, which unsurprisingly, are expensive to treat. It can also contribute to strokes and lung cancer, in some severe cases. While this is a burning environmental issue, each of us can contribute to decreasing it.

Solution #4: Ditch your personal car

Instead of relying on personal vehicles daily, experts advise using the public transportation system. However, following the recommendations above will also help you battle air pollution. Keep your tires properly inflated, try to walk more, maintain your cars at proper functionality levels, switch to electric vehicles, if possible.

All these recommendations will help you tackle some of the most severe environmental concerns you might encounter, but also decrease the overall household expenses. Saving the environment can turn into a really profitable “business” for you and your family, after all! Small, active steps will help you prevent furthermore pollution and will make it possible for you to find simple and reliable alternatives to those toxic habits you grew up with.