Sustainable Living at Home

Even as an individual, you can make a difference in reducing the use of the earth’s natural resources.

According to the Sustainable Housing Foundation, sustainability is important because “our global future depends on it.” The Sustainable Housing Foundation also notes that three interconnected issues are the roots of the need for sustainable living: 1) fossil fuel depletion, 2) climate change due to CO2 emissions, and 3) the increasing costs of energy and water.

While there are multiple ways to practice sustainable living at home, here are a few of our favorites.

First, utilize natural cleaning products rather than buying commercial products. You’ll be amazed at what vinegar can clean! Or combine vinegar and baking soda for a fizzy and effective combination. Witch hazel works wonders as a glass cleaner. For other natural cleaning products and their specific applications, check out the Wellness Mama blog.

Second, reduce packaging waste by buying in bulk. That could mean purchasing your groceries at COSTCO (very useful if you have a big family) or simply getting items from the bulk section of your local co-op. Woman’s Day has an excellent article on the best items to buy in bulk.

Speaking of local, buying products from merchants near you reduces the use of fuel by both you and the seller while benefiting the local economy. In fact, Small Business Saturday is coming up on November 25. Visit the Small Business Saturday website to find a participating retailer near you.

Simple steps can make a big difference. If you aren’t already practicing sustainable living, today’s an excellent day to start.