Many people are asking themselves these days, not least because of the polarising Fridays for Future movement, what they can do to protect the environment. The following are a few tips that can be used to implement the topic of sustainability in one's own four walls.
Paying attention to sustainability is one of the most important points. This can already be implemented in everyday life and in the area of living. We show you how!
Tip 1: Reduce electricity consumption and switch to solar energy
Electrical appliances draw power permanently, even when they are not in use. For this reason, the plug should be pulled out as soon as they are no longer needed. The use of multiple plugs with switches has long been known and recommended. Today's televisions also have a sleep timer. It ensures that the set switches off at a certain time. The use of a solar system or the use of renewable energies is a bigger step. The advantage is obvious: solar energy is inexhaustible and at the same time free. Only the purchase of solar cells or solar collectors is expensive. But it pays off in the long run. Because with solar storage, the energy generated can be used independently of the weather.
Tip 2: Sustainable heating
At the beginning of the heating season, the radiators must be vented. If there is too much air in the radiators, consumption will increase. In addition, the heaters must not be covered or blocked. Good insulation of the flat and tight windows also help to reduce heating consumption. In winter, the flat should have a basic temperature. Constantly raising the temperature consumes energy. Here, too, we can turn to nature: Geothermal energy, like solar energy, is inexhaustible and can be harnessed for one's own home.
Tip 3: Energy-saving devices
Unfortunately, there are still appliances in most households that require too much electricity. These should gradually be replaced with appliances that have at least an energy efficiency class A++. Such appliances consume significantly less electricity. At first glance, there seems to be a financial disadvantage because they are expensive. After a few years, the expensive purchase will have paid for itself due to the electricity cost savings. Sustainability can also be taken into account when washing laundry. Not every wash load needs 60 degrees. The washing machine has programmes that save money and energy.
Tip 4: Do without plastic
Plastic is a hot topic. Plastic waste can be recycled for the most part. However, in order to achieve sustainability, plastic should be avoided as much as possible. It is best to use your own bags for shopping. Many fruits and vegetables, such as courgettes or oranges, do not need plastic packaging. Here, there is the possibility of shopping in supermarkets that offer these products without packaging. Some supermarkets allow you to bring your own Tupperware for such food.
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Tip 5: Pay attention to sustainability in furniture
- Used furniture: Often it is not even necessary to buy new furniture. Every piece of furniture that is bought second-hand saves resources in another place. Especially when moving into your first own flat or after big investments, it is important to keep an eye on your bank balance. But second-hand furniture is also just the thing for anyone who likes to visit flea markets, because new does not automatically equal better. Many items of furniture have by no means reached the end of their life and can be bought cheaply.
- Plastic furniture: Yes, that's right. Just as there is the plastic fir tree at Christmas, there is also plastic furniture, for example, also in wood look. Some companies specialise in making their plastic furniture exclusively from recyclable plastic. This means that your shampoo bottle or yoghurt pot will eventually see the light of day again in the form of a chair.
- And what if you can't avoid buying new furniture? If you cannot avoid buying new wooden furniture, you should look for certain seals when searching for environmentally friendly products. For solid wood, these are FSC or PEFC. Among other things, they require sustainable forest management, the protection of biodiversity and the promotion of site-appropriate tree species. Furthermore, these seals guarantee that the wood has only been treated with natural waxes and oils and that adhesives are free of harmful substances.
