More and more people turn to sustainable everyday living to preserve the environment and save our planet’s resources. And while some things we can go without, others are necessary – particularly those we use daily in our households.
That’s why today we’ll talk about some eco-friendly products and DIY (do it yourself) goods you can use as a substitute and take a step forward to preserve our planet.
Thinking about your septic system
Many people who live in rural areas use septic systems at their properties. However, many need to learn how to properly use them in an environmentally friendly way, as that is crucial for preserving local nature, water sources and public health.
The best way to ensure proper use of your septic system is to be mindful of what you put down the drains. A professional septic service provider and recognized expert in the industry recently gave out some very interesting tips for picking the best septic-safe products.
In addition to choosing septic-safe products, you should also avoid letting anything other than biodegradable toilet paper down the toilet. That includes feminine products, cotton buds and more. A good option for septic systems is using recycled toilet tissue, as its fibres break down easily.
Do it yourself: Cosmetics.
Cosmetics are products commonly seen in every household. After all, every woman, man and child uses them, even if they prefer different types of products or brands. However, they come in unnecessary single-use plastic packaging, and their production causes global emissions and high water-usage levels.
If you are new to sustainable and eco-friendly living, you might not have thought about homemade cosmetic products. The good news is that you can easily make some of the most commonly used cosmetics with natural ingredients and even turn this process into your new craft or hobby.
Here are some examples of cosmetic products that you can create by yourself:
- Toothpaste
- Soaps
- Body scrubs
- Make-up
- Make-up remover
- Deodorants
- Shampoo
- Hair masks
Keeping your house tidy
Household chores are never-ending, and most people still think common products for the household save them time or money and that thinking about the environment is a manageable task. However, once you find your ways, your actions and shopping habits will become automatic yet beneficial for the environment.
You can begin your journey by recycling garbage already inside your home. That’s the easiest way to recycle. The only thing you will need is to have 3 or 4 bins to separate organic waste, plastics, paper and glass. You can purchase compostable bin liners instead of plastic for your organic waste.
Think about other household chores that you do daily. For example, instead of using kitchen paper towels to absorb a spilt liquid or clean the countertop, use small pieces of textile cut from your old clothes. Once dirty, you can throw them in the washing machine and reuse them after.
Do it yourself: Cleaning solutions.
Similar to the topic of cosmetics which we already discussed, cleaning solutions for the household also present unnecessary waste of resources. Worse, they often contain harmful chemicals that people let down the drain and into the soil and water sources.
You can create many different cleaning solutions on your own with the help of organic and eco-friendly products. Such products will also be good to let inside your septic system if made correctly.
Let’s see some examples of products that you can produce by yourself:
- All-purpose cleaning solution
- Laundry detergent
- Kitchen cleaner
- Dish detergent
- Grease cleaner
- Bathroom cleaner
- Sanitizer
- Wood cleaner
Grocery shopping
Grocery shopping is another everyday activity, yet most of the non-organic waste comes exactly from food and drink packaging. Is there a way to reduce that? The answer is “Most definitely yes.”
The easiest and most simple way to reduce plastic waste is to bring your own reusable textile shopping bags when shopping. You can use smaller bags to keep fruits and vegetables at the supermarket together and weigh them on the scale.
Other advice includes shopping from local markets, shopping for seasonal fruits and vegetables and avoiding packaged goods. Instead of buying plastic packs or cans, you can bring your jar and fill it with lentils or beans. If you shop for meat, you can bring your container to a butcher shop.
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