Sustainable Living Benefits Everyone
Let’s face it; you’ve heard a ton about this “green movement.” Eco-friendly living. Being sustainable. Caring about the earth. But it just seems like such a hassle! Well, it doesn’t have to be. There are small things that you can do to improve your quality of life and make less of an impact on the earth for future generations. Just a few minor changes can make a huge difference, and they don’t have to be a burden at all!
If you have a home or office building, check out some of these quick tips to live a more eco-friendly and sustainable life!
Oh, and as a bonus we’ve got some reasons why you should consider starting with sustainable materials if you are building a new home or office building. It’s easy to be sustainable if you start from the very beginning!
Swap Household Cleaners
This is an easy one. The generic cleaners you pick up are filled with carcinogens and unhealthy chemicals that affect your quality of life. Not only do they pollute the air that you and your family breathe, over time and use, they can add to the depletion of the ozone layer and pollute our waterways. When shopping for household cleaners, look for ones with plant-based ingredients and stay away from things such as chlorinated phenols, diethylene glybol, nonylphenol ethoxylate, petroleum solvents, or perchloroethylene. All of these ingredients are harmful to both the environment and your body.
Upgrade Your Insulation
Another way to make a big impact on your sustainability is to upgrade your home or office insulation! This is actually extremely important for the air quality you are breathing. Proper insulation can prevent leaky ducts, walls, windows and doors and can improve your home or office’s energy draw by 20-30%. Sure, it might get a little pricey to reinstall the insulation in your entire structure, but it pays off in time with lower energy bills, better sound control and air quality, and no mold problems! If you can’t afford to update your home or building’s insulation, there are still some steps you can take to lessen your impact on the environment (and your wallet!) Install thermal shades on your windows that block the sun in the summer and retain heat in the winter. Your wallet will definitely thank you over time for these changes!
Replace Light Bulbs
If you’re using incandescent light bulbs, consider making the switch to compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). Incandescent bulbs use 480 kilowatts of energy, while CFL bulbs use only 104! While CFL bulbs may be a little more expensive ($3 to your average $1 incandescent bulb), the cost definitely pays off in the long run. CFL bulbs can last up to ten times longer than incandescent bulbs! Think of how fewer times you’ll have to climb up on counters and chairs trying to change that pesky lightbulb.
Update 3/7/16 LED lightbulbs now appear to be the future.
Consider Lawn Alternatives
Having grass in your lawn takes up a lot of time, maintenance, and water. You can have the same beautiful lawn at a fraction of the cost by installing alternative materials (rocks, stones, or pavement) or even by forfeiting all that grass for a personal garden! With a garden, not only are you saving money on water, you have the opportunity to grow your own vegetables and fruits. This is a great way to be sustainable!
Start From the Beginning
If you are building a new structure, or reinventing rooms yards, consider using sustainable building materials instead of those that have a harsh impact on the environment and its resources. For instance, bamboo can be used as a building material and is much more sustainable than your average hardwood. It is beautiful, durable, and strong and unlike other trees and grasses, it reaches its maturity in just 5 years. Other hardwoods take up to 60 years for this! Using bamboo instead of these other materials is much easier on the environment and helps to decrease to impact of deforestation. And it can be used anywhere! Install your own tiki bar on your back porch or use bamboo plywood to cover your cabinets and walls. Anything you can think of, you can create!
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Are you thinking of making some sustainable transformations in your life? At amaZulu, all of our materials are resource-responsible, environmentally friendly, and sustainable. From our vast selections of natural and synthetic bamboo, eucalyptus, natural and artificial thatch, and other theming materials, you’re sure to find the perfect materials to make your sustainable home or business a reality!
Give us a call today at 877-243-5309 or contact us to learn a little more about our services. Our passion comes together with your vision to create true innovation and healthier, better living!
