People usually talk about environmental terms, which many people fail to understand their meaning; for instance, climate change, sustainable development, and ecological footprint. All these terms are somehow a bit complex, but they carry a big message that we cannot afford to overlook. It can be hard to change everything at the same time; however, there are some simple and achievable things that we can all do to become eco-friendly. As a parent, your objective should be making socially and environmentally responsible choices in bringing up your kids.
Changes to Make in Life to Live an Eco-friendlier Lifestyle
As a parent, you get the desire to leave the world a better place for your kids. Here are some tips to be greener while raising your children:
Pick good diapers
Do you know that an approximated 20 billion disposable diapers are thrown into the landfills throughout every country every year, creating almost 3.5 million tons of waste? Well, according to a report by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, disposable diapers have bacteria that are later introduced onto the ecosystem from the solid wastes they contain.
According to many other studies, disposable diapers in the landfill take up to 500 years to degrade therefore creating methane and other toxic gasses in the process. To be an environmentally friendly parent, you should try using biodegradable diapers which are usually made from plant-based plastics. Additionally, you can consider using reusable diapers which are made from organic cotton and bamboo fiber.
Purchase eco-friendly products
Buying toys and eco-friendly baby products are both beneficial to your kids as well as the environment. You can help reduce the impact on the environment by buying toys and products made from degradable natural materials. Additionally, think about the long-term effects for your family and choose eco-friendly pest control to deal with your pest problems and protect your children at the same time. Environmentally friendly products are better for your family, animals and are effective just like other products; the only difference is that they have less impact on the environment.
Ditch the plastic
Plastic bags can be valuable to many people, and we have literally become addicted to using single-use plastic, which has adverse effects on the environment. According to UNEP, we produce 300 million tons of plastic waste each year. This is almost equal to the weight of the whole human population. Consider using reusable plastic every time. For instance, you can use canvas bags instead of plastic bags. Even if you don’t have access to a canvas shopping bag, you can reuse the plastic bag you have and avoid buying many that will end up in the landfills.
Save on energy in your home
There are many ways to cut down on the energy utilized in your home. These ways will help reduce the energy bills and save you more money eventually. Think of it as a win-win for you and the environment. You can start by lowering the thermostat in winter and increasing it in summer. Additionally, unplug any appliance that is not in use, wash your clothes on cold water detergent, and use a clothesline to dry the clothes. Hot water uses a lot of energy; therefore, deciding to use cold water can help in reducing energy bills and save the environment.
Use the right light bulbs
You don’t have to be a parent to do this. Don’t go to the store and replace all the bulbs that are still working; instead, the subsequent time you want to replace that faulty light bulb, pick a compact fluorescent light. These light bulbs can stay five times lengthier and utilize less energy when compared to regular incandescent light bulbs. CFL light bulbs are also brighter, meaning that you will be able to use fewer light bulbs in your house.
Make your own baby food
When your baby starts eating solid food, consider buying a good blender. You can blend whatever the family is having for dinner and then freeze them for storage. Making your own baby food minimizes wastes, saves you money, and helps the baby to eat the way the other members of the family do. To store the extra breastmilk, try freezing them inside glass bottles.
The Bottom Line
There are many other ways to make your home more eco-friendly. You can use environmentally friendly cleaners instead of the ones that contain harsh chemicals and buy eco-friendly household products. All these changes might seem small; however, they can make a big change to the planet.
