The COVID-19 lockdowns helped in reducing air pollution as roads were cleared off of the daily carbon-fueled traffic. Skies cleared up, water bodies got cleaner, rare species of animals valiantly walked around cities. Our planet was finally healing.
But, is that enough for our environment?
Not unless we sustain it.
As millions of us continue to stay home, it’s time we awaken the eco-warrior inside us and achieve the sustainability goals we always wanted to achieve!
Here are 6 ways you can switch to a more sustainable lifestyle while staying home:
1. Things Your Garbage Can Do
One of the main reasons why waste management sectors struggle is because we aren’t segregating our waste effectively at the source. To segregate waste more effectively, we need to go beyond just separating it into ‘dry’ and ‘wet’ waste.
2. Keep Calm And Compost
According to the Public Information Bureau (2016), India generates about 62 tonnes of waste, out of which nearly 50% is organic waste. If we all started composting at home, half of our total waste would be diverted from landfills, reducing our greenhouse gas emissions significantly!
Interested? Let’s start with understanding what composting is!
Composting is the natural decomposition of organic items like fruits, vegetables, paper, food waste etc. Over time, as these materials decay in a concentrated environment, they turn into a natural source of nutrition for plants.
Sustainable pro-tip: Grow a herb or vegetable garden at home and use this compost to enrich it!
3. Create The Best Out Of Waste
Since you’ve FINALLY got the time to dig into your crammed wardrobes and drawers, why not do it? Some Narnia-esque possibilities might be awaiting you!
Discover old items that you don’t use anymore and reuse them to invent something better. You’ll find hundreds of amazing DIY ideas on the internet! And this way, you won’t just reduce your waste, you’d also be de-cluttering and making new things! It’s a win-win-win situation if you think about it.
4. Save Energy And Water From Draining
As we spend most of our time at home nowadays, we must keep a check on our energy and water usage. Switching off lights, fans, and other electrical appliances after we’re done using them will easily help us conserve energy.
Due to the pandemic, we’ve even begun to wash our hands more often and take longer showers. Turning the tap off while scrubbing your hands and turning it on to wash the soap off is a simple way to save water. Similarly, being cognizant of the duration of your showers and minimizing water wastage while showering is equally important!
5. Make Your Masks At Home
Why buy plastic masks or other expensive masks when you can easily make cloth masks at home? All you need are scissors, cloth/ fabric from a t-shirt, rubber bands, and a scale!
6. Press The Brakes On Driving
Now that you’re on your way to being more sustainable, how about you ditch your car for this journey? Although many of us aren’t commuting to work or far off places anymore, we are still going to shop for essentials or to run errands. So, if the groceries stores aren’t far enough, it’s best to walk to the stores or choose safe and sustainable options to commute. Besides, walking or cycling will also contribute to your daily exercise and help you stay fit and healthy!
Seems Simple Enough? Try It Yourself!
All this time on our hands has made settling into a sustainable lifestyle easier for us. Moreover, with all the uncertainty and negativity around us, making these little changes in your life will certainly help you create a positive impact on the world.
So, take a small step by cultivating these green habits in your everyday life and share your experiences with us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter handle as you make more headway!