Even if you’ve been hiding out on an uninhabited island for the past few decades, you’re probably aware that climate change and resource depletion are persistent problems for the planet.
Our growing awareness of the consequences of our actions on the environment has pushed environmental protection to the forefront of everyone’s mind.
It’s true that trying to figure out how to ‘green ify’ our lifestyle in the face of the overwhelming amount of knowledge available on environmental issues may be frustrating and time-consuming.
Big business has set an example for the rest of us by realizing that by making some reasonable adjustments to their practices, they can boost their reputation, appease their increasingly “eco-aware” shareholders, and satisfy the ever-growing “green” demands of the consumers who buy their products. But increasing the company’s “bottom line” is what matters. If becoming green was more expensive, very few people would switch.
All of us who want to ‘do our bit’ for the environment but who don’t necessarily identify as ‘rainbow warriors’ or ‘tree huggers’ face a problem. How can we help, short of installing a composting toilet in each of our backyards?
There is no harm in taking cues from how major firms tackle environmental sustainability. They are primarily doing this by reducing inefficiencies and maximizing productivity.
Three of the best ways to reduce your environmental impact and increase your bank account balance.
The first step is to waste less food.
Thirty percent of the food we purchase in the United Kingdom is wasted. The decomposition of food waste in landfills produces methane, a greenhouse gas nearly 19 times more muscular than the carbon dioxide commonly associated with global warming.
There are a variety of factors that contribute to the massive amounts of food that are wasted every year. There is no need to throw away perfectly edible food just because its “best before” date has passed. The “best before” date is the manufacturer-imposed “quality” cutoff. After that date, the food may still be edible if stored properly.
That buy-one-get-one-free (BOGOF) deals at the grocery store may be to blame for our habit of stocking up on more food than we need. Make a plan and see whether you can follow it.
The majority of us have our refrigerators set too low. The ideal operating temperature range is between 3 and 5 degrees Celsius.
The ‘bottom-line’ rule states that wasting 30% of the food you purchase is equivalent to wasting 30% of your money.
Determine how much you are wasting annually by doing the math. Spending £80 per week on food for you and your family weakens $1,248 annually.
Boost Your House’s Energy Efficiency
Home energy efficiency is all about not wasting any energy at all.
If your home is poorly insulated, such as when there is trim or no loft insulation, un-insulated cavity walls, or drafty doors and windows, you are essentially wasting money away.
Get in touch with your city hall and inquire about energy-saving tips. If you need help but can’t find it there, call an accredited insulation provider and ask for a free home inspection. In many cases, financial aid is offered in the form of grants.
An outdated boiler is no longer a viable option for central heating systems. If you need to replace your boiler when it finally gives out on you, save money in the long run by avoiding an “oversized” model that is too big for your home.
Install a timer and a thermostat in each room to keep your boiler in check. You may save money and improve temperature control with a thermostatic radiator valve.
Check the hot water tank’s insulation to see whether it needs to be replaced. Get a new one fitted if the insulation is poor due to a poorly fitting jacket.
If you can, switch to low-wattage bulbs. The design and functionality of low-energy lights continue to evolve and improve. Install low-energy lighting in as many rooms and areas as feasible (hall, bedrooms, bathrooms, outside, cloakrooms, landing).
The return on investment from upgrading your home’s energy efficiency will astound you.
It is possible to save £400 yearly on fuel expenditures for a four-bedroom detached house by increasing the loft insulation, installing cavity wall insulation, fitting low-energy lights, and replacing the boiler with a more efficient model. The house was built in the early 1980s and still uses the original boiler.
Thirdly, Trade in That Gas-Guzzler
As the price of a barrel of oil continues to skyrocket, now is a crucial time to evaluate the fuel efficiency of our vehicle.
It doesn’t take Albert Einstein to figure out that, with gas costing over £6 per gallon, it makes financial sense to find ways to increase our vehicle’s fuel economy.
At today’s gas prices, your annual fuel costs will be around £1,715 if you put 10,000 miles on a car that gets 35 miles to the gallon.
You can save around £400 per year by upgrading to a fuel-efficient vehicle that gets 45 miles per gallon when you trade in your old car.
You may do many more eco-friendly actions, each of which will only necessitate a minor adjustment to your current routine. It’s up to you how far you want to go, but if you start with these three things, you’ll make a difference for the planet and your wallet.
Bill Bailey is an expert in personal finance, transportation, technology, and consumer goods. You may read more of Bill’s articles with sizzling suggestions and advice.
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