Climate change is very real, and its repercussions can be felt across the globe. While major corporations need to improve their business practices and take proactive measures to lower greenhouse gas emissions, we as individuals also need to do our part.
With a quick internet search, you can easily find countless ways you can lead a more sustainable life without compromising your current lifestyle. Not only this, you can also compare gas and electricity deals on the internet and find the best deal for you. However, there are some practices that aren’t helping the planet as much as you think. It’s not just important to make green changes but also do them right. Take a look at some mistakes that you might be making when it comes to sustainable living.
1. Thinking CFLs and LEDs Offer Same Benefits
If you’re hoping to enhance your home’s energy efficiency, you’ll probably see the advice to replace incandescent lights. Usually, incandescent lights are replaced by CFLs and LEDs. But both of these alternatives aren’t the same when it comes to energy efficiency. While CFLs are available at a better price, LEDs are much more durable and consume less energy.
2. Just Ditching Plastic Straws
Recently, social media actively pushed the agenda to stop the use of plastic straws, which lead to several big corporations like Starbucks to eliminate the use of plastic straws. However, just ditching plastic straws isn’t enough. From Plastic grocery bags to plastic wraps, there are several ways you might still be using disposable plastic. Take steps to make every area of your lifestyle plastic-free.
3. Not Researching ‘Green’ Vendors
Just because a retailer has slapped the words ‘green’ or ‘natural’ across its labels doesn’t mean it is the most sustainable product on the market. Before buying any product claiming to be eco-friendly, do your research to determine if it’s actually living up to its claim. You’ll be surprised to know how many brands greenwash and don’t make any genuine efforts to make their manufacturing processes environmentally friendly.
4. Washing Dishes By Hand Is Always Better
Many sustainability blogs claim that washing dishes by hand is the better alternative than running the dishwasher. But this is only true if you only have a few dishes. If you have a large pile of dirty dishes, you’ll likely waste a lot of water washing them by hand. It’s efficient to use a dishwasher if you have a full load of dishes.
5. Buying New Appliances Is Unnecessary
Reducing your demand and consumption for manufactured goods is a well-known principle of sustainable living. But this doesn’t imply that you have to stick to your outdated appliances. Old appliances and electronics tend to over-consume energy. For the sake of energy-efficiency, it’s best to upgrade to newer appliances that will use a reasonable amount of energy.
6. Solar Panels Are the Only way to Use Renewable Energy
Solar panels are an excellent way to make the most of sunlight, which is a free source of energy. You can not only lower your energy bills but also help the environment by reducing your dependence on conventional energy.
That being said, solar panels aren’t the only way you can access green energy. Several energy retailers offer green energy plans for homes and businesses. Therefore, compare various renewable energy options and switch to the best energy provider.
7. Rushing to Becoming Sustainable
So you read an alarming article about the need for sustainability and got immensely inspired by it. But don’t let the urgency of sustainable living force you to change your life overnight. Avoid throwing out all your current stuff and buying all things sustainable in a day. Keep the things you own and use them till they are viable. And when you need to repurchase, go for a sustainable alternative.
The Bottom Line
Considering the dire consequences of global warming, sustainable living is no longer a choice but a necessity. Make sure you incorporate it in your life in whichever way you can!
