“Education begins at home” is a sentence that stays with us as we grow up and conditions our behaviour in the environment we live in.
New ways of practicing sustainability also come from home. After all, the house we inhabit is a reflection of our identity and our behaviour towards society.

Read the article to learn about valuable sustainability practices we can implement in our homes.

1. Replace paper napkins with reusable cloths

The massive destruction of forest ecosystems is a current reality on our planet and it is up to all of us to develop and adopt domestic behaviours that greatly reduces this action.

One way is to replace paper napkins and go back to reusable cloths. As the name implies, reusable cloths can be used for various situations and are incredibly durable. Besides, it is a way to save some money.

2. Choose LED light bulbs

Using LED bulbs is another way to of practicing sustainability at home. In fact, LED bulbs have a longer life span compared to normal bulbs and the best news is that they have the same lighting capacity and consume substantially less energy, reducing the price of your electricity bill!

3. Using Energy-Efficient Appliances

Prefer appliances with a high energy efficiency. Refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, washing machines and tumble dryers with a higher energy class aren’t only more efficient and therefore generate savings on your electricity bill, but they also play an important role in environmental sustainability as they emit less polluting gases into the atmosphere, the ones named CFC (chlorofluorocarbon).

4. Reuse and save water

Water is an essential element for life on planet earth and it is becoming increasingly important to know how we can reuse and save it inside and outside our homes.

While waiting for the water to heat in the shower, try to take the opportunity to fill a container with the cold water, which can later be reused for washing clothes, teeth and even cooking.

Another way to save water in the house is to install dual-flush toilets. If this is not available for you, another solution (more handcrafted) can be implemented, which consists in placing a plastic water bottle with a volume of 0.5l or 0.33l, containing sand or water, inside the cistern. This will reduce the volume of water needed to fill the cistern after a complete flush.

For those who are plant lovers and have them at home, take advantage of rainy days to fill containers and, in this way, water the plants with rainwater.

And, of course, do not give in to leaks, and for human consumption, prefer water from the public supply system.

Changing behaviour leads to new habits that are reflected in new ways of being, which are more friendly to the resources that the planet offers us.