Nowadays, many people are asking themselves what they can do to protect the environment, not least because of the polarizing Fridays for Future movement. Below are a few tips on how to implement the topic of sustainability in your 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 home. We'll show you how!
Tip 1: Reduce electricity consumption and switch to solar energy
Electrical appliances draw electricity continuously, even when they are not in use. For this reason, they should be unplugged as soon as they are no longer needed. The use of multiple plugs with a switch has long been known and recommended. Today's televisions also have a sleep timer. This ensures that the appliance 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 free of charge. Only the purchase of solar cells or solar collectors is expensive. But it pays off in the long term. Solar storage systems allow the energy generated to be used independently of the weather.
Tip 2: Sustainable heating
At the start of the heating period, the radiators must be vented. If there is too much air in the radiators, consumption will increase. In addition, the radiators must not be covered or blocked. Good insulation of the home and tight windows also help to reduce heating consumption. In winter, the home should have a base temperature. Constantly raising the temperature consumes energy. Here, too, you can fall back on nature: Geothermal energy, like solar energy, is inexhaustible and can be harnessed for your own home.
Tip 3: Energy-saving devices
Unfortunately, most households still have appliances that use too much electricity. These should gradually be replaced with appliances that have at least an A++ energy efficiency rating. Such appliances consume significantly less electricity. At first glance, there appears to be a financial disadvantage as 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 programs that save money and energy.
Tip 4: Avoid plastic
Plastic is a hot topic. Most plastic waste can be recycled. However, in order to achieve sustainability, plastic should be avoided as far as possible. It is best to use your own bags for shopping. Many types of fruit and vegetables, such as zucchinis or oranges, do not require plastic packaging. It is possible to shop in supermarkets that offer these products without packaging. Some supermarkets allow you to bring your own Tupperware for such foods.
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Tip 5: Pay attention to the sustainability of furniture
- Used furniture: It is often not even necessary to buy new furniture. Every piece of furniture that is bought second-hand saves resources elsewhere. Especially when moving into your first home or after major investments, it is important to keep an eye on your bank balance. But second-hand furniture is also just the thing for anyone who enjoys visiting flea markets, because new does not automatically equal better. Many items of furniture have not yet reached the end of their life and can be purchased at a reasonable price.
- Plastic furniture: Yes, you heard right. Just as there is plastic fir for Christmas, there is also plastic furniture in a wooden look, for example. Some companies have specialized in making their plastic furniture exclusively from recyclable plastic. This means that your shampoo bottle or yogurt pot will eventually see the light of day again in the form of a chair.
- And if you can't avoid buying new furniture? If you can't avoid buying new wooden furniture, you should look out 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 local tree species. In addition, these seals guarantee that the wood has only been treated with natural waxes and oils and that adhesives are free of harmful substances.
