Pollution is a worldwide issue that has grown significantly over the past few years.  In acknowledgment of this issue, many countries have started implementing nationwide eco-friendly practices as a means of reducing global pollution.

Of course, the green movement doesn’t just stop at reducing waste and recycling rubbish.  We as individuals can also adopt greener household practices to help preserve the environment.

With this guide, we’ll walk you through 8 simple eco-friendly practices that you can implement in your very own home.  We’ll also go over some useful stats to help you understand just how helpful a green household can be.

8 Eco-Friendly Tips 

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1. Opt for a virtual filing cabinet

Instead of keeping printed copies of all your personal and work documents, we’d suggest keeping virtual copies on a hard drive or flash drive.  This will greatly reduce the amount of paper waste generated due to discarded materials.

Globally, almost 300 billion kilos of paper waste are produced each year with the average Kiwi contributing about 170kg of paper waste annually.  If every Kiwi household cut its paper waste production by 20% we would see a decrease of over 100,000 tonnes in annual paper waste.

2. Reduce waste in the kitchen

Reducing your kitchen waste means cutting down on wasted food by planning meals, saving leftovers, and storing groceries properly.  When it comes to cooking, energy-efficient appliances like air fryers and pressure cookers can also make your home more eco-friendly.

As an added bonus, you can save two birds with one practice here by opting for a reusable eco-bag for groceries instead of single-use plastics or paper bags.

3. Switch off unused appliances

Every now and then, we forget to switch off the light or turn down the heater.  Though these are honest mistakes, they can add up to costly energy bills and wasted energy.  

By switching off appliances when they’re not in use, we can cut down on the amount of energy we use which in turn reduces the amount of waste generated by our electrical providers.

4. Avoid machine drying your clothes when possible

While we’re on the topic of energy-saving, we’d like to point out that washing and machine drying laundry can be a costly expense on your electrical bill.  So, instead of the dryer, we’d recommend hanging your clothes out to dry in the New Zealand sun whenever possible.

Though it may take a bit more work, air-drying your laundry can cut down on your dryer usage.  In turn, this will result in a cheaper electrical bill and less energy wastage overall.

5. Invest in LED light bulbs

Since we use our lights almost every day, it’s important to equip your home with energy-efficient LED bulbs.  Compared to their incandescent counterparts, LED bulbs shine brighter while using about 75% less energy.

A home that’s fully equipped with LED bulbs could end up saving as much as $100 per year on electricity.  

6. Consider buying a water filter

From their production to their disposal every step in the life of a plastic bottle is riddled with waste.  To cut down on this major waste contributor, you can equip your home with a simple water filter.

The use of a water filter will allow you to consume tap water without having to stomach that metallic, tap water taste.

7. Insulate your home properly

Though it may seem insignificant, insulation can play a crucial role in keeping your heating expenses low.  Recent studies have found that around ⅓ of heat in homes is lost through walls and uninsulated areas.

By installing full-wall insulation, your home will be better able to retain heat during cold days.  IN the same study above, it was estimated that full-wall insulation could result in an emission reduction of 930 kg of carbon dioxide per year.

8. Look into purchasing a solar energy system

Investing in solar panels can really cut down on your electric bill by powering your home with fully renewable energy.  In addition, the use of these panels will also lower your household carbon footprint.

We decided to mention this tip last since solar panel systems can initially be quite expensive.  But if you’re willing to overlook this cost, you could easily see savings of up to $1,000 each year provided you make ample use of your solar energy system.

If you’d like to explore the idea of installing solar panels in your home, we’ve gathered some lists of reliable installation experts for those living in Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch

When it comes to going green and staying clean, even the smallest efforts can have huge impacts.  If you intend to start making some sustainable changes to your home, we hope you’ll keep this guide handy.