17th April, 2023

Earth Day, taking place this year on Saturday 22nd April, is an annual event that began all the way back in 1970 to demonstrate and build support for environmental protection and conservation. Now more than ever, it’s so important that we’re all doing our part to protect the environment and slow down global warming.

It was recorded that 2022 was the sixth-warmest year since 1880 when records began, and the oceans were the warmest ever recorded. The UK was amongst 28 countries that experienced the warmest year on record in 2022.

So, to help you become more sustainable in your home, we’ve rounded up some hints and tips that can both benefit the planet and help to reduce your household bills.

Get better acquainted with your recycling bin

Recycling is something that we can all do on a daily basis within our homes and is so worthwhile for the impact that it can have on our planet.

Fewer carbon emissions are produced through recycling as there’s less energy needed to source and process new materials, as well as keeping our household rubbish out of landfills – particularly waste that can potentially release methane into the atmosphere.

By recycling more of Earth’s resources, we reduce the need to grow, harvest or extract new raw materials, which means there will be less harm and disruption to nature such as fewer trees being cut down and less pollution.

To find your closest recycling locations, as well as guidance on what you can or can’t recycle, take a look here.

Be mindful of your energy consumption

Turning a light off and switching off a plug might not seem like a big deal, but if we all were even the slightest bit more mindful about how much energy we consume within our home, it could make a huge difference.

There’s many ways that you can reduce the amount of energy you use, such as turning radiators off in rooms that you aren’t using, washing your clothes at a lower temperature and switching to energy saving lightbulbs.

Not only will these help the planet, but they could reduce your household bills. Washing your clothes at a lower temperature, for example, could save you up to £40 a year and using your tumble dryer less could have you saving a further £70 a year!

It’s also worth considering how efficient your household appliances are when it comes to using less energy. Appliances are given a rating from A to G, with A being the most energy efficient meaning it won’t require as much energy to operate. So, next time you’re out shopping for a new microwave or kettle, don’t forget to check its rating.

Put your green fingers to work

Ever considered starting your own fruit and vegetable patch? Now is the perfect time to start! Growing your own food can greatly reduce air and water pollution, especially since chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides are not used.

Transporting the food from your own garden to your plate will also reduce pollution, given that there’s no need for the likes of ships, trucks and cars to transport the produce to a supermarket that you then need to use some form of transport to get to, releasing yet more carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

Growing your own produce can also bring plenty of other benefits, including less money spent on the food shop. You could even get your loved ones involved for some family fun in the garden!

Consider updating your windows

Good quality windows can make a huge difference to your home by preventing draughts and heat loss, so it’s worth considering whether upgrading from single glazed to double glazed windows is a feasible investment for you.

Not only do they help to keep heat in and therefore reduce how high you have your heating on, or even how often you turn it on at all, they can also help to keep noise out!

Look into renewable energy options

If you’re in a position to, you may want to consider what options are out there for using renewable energy in your home. Solar panels, for example, are becoming increasingly more popular for home-owners and are great for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.

As well as the environmental benefits, using solar panels could save you up to £480 a year on your energy bills, according to MoneySavingExpert.

As you can see, there’s plenty of ways that we can be more environmentally conscious within our homes and while some methods are a considerable investment, there are others that cost nothing at all and could in fact save you money. So, this Earth Day, let’s do what we can to help protect our earth.


Written by: Shannan Errington

*Please note that the above information has been gathered through secondary research. The information provided is not based on our opinion. You should seek further guidance and information before making an informed decision.

Sources
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230317-the-state-of-the-climate-in-2023
https://friendsoftheearth.uk/sustainable-living/7-benefits-recycling  
https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/energy-saving-advice/ 
https://vegepod.co.uk/blogs/news/5-reasons-to-grow-your-own-food
https://www.fmb.org.uk/resource/10-ways-to-make-your-home-more-sustainable.html
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/free-solar-panels/