Earth5R

These everyday moves can help you waste less and save more.

Do Your Laundry at Night

Some electricity providers charge more during the day (when the demand for power is higher). So save by running loads of laundry and dishes after dinner instead or in the early morning.

Wash on the Cold Cycle

Speaking of laundry, your washing machine devotes 90% of its energy to heat up the water — and cold water will get clothes just as clean. Wash a few loads a week in cold water (and choose liquid detergent over powdered to ensure it dissolves well) and you can save up to $40 per year.

Load Up the Dishwasher

Two tweaks to your dishwashing routine will save you time and money. First, don’t run your dishwasher until it’s completely full. Second, just scrape off dishes into the trash can instead of pre-rinsing them, and you can save up to 20 gallons of water, says the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). And, yes, running the dishwasher is still way more efficient than handwashing dishes, so go ahead and use it.

Don’t Keep the Fridge Door Open

Idly browsing your late-night snack options or leaving the door wide open while you put away groceries can cost you. As you let cold air escape, your refrigerator has to work harder to reduce its internal temperature again. This bad habit accounts for up to 7% of your fridge’s total energy use.

Make Ice Cubes the Old-Fashioned Way

Here’s a sneaky energy saver: ice trays. They take seconds to fill, and you save up to 20% of your refrigerator’s energy by shutting down your ice maker.

Don’t Let the Faucet Run

Is this a familiar scene? You’re craving a cold glass of water, so you let the sink faucet run for a minute, so the water can cool down. That five minutes could waste up to eight gallons of water per day, according to the EPA. Instead, keep a pitcher or reusable bottle of tap water in the fridge, ready to go.

Know What to Buy Organic

Organic foods can be pricey. But you don’t have to go all organic, just know what to look out for. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases an annual list of the “dirty dozen” foods that contain the most pesticide residue. Choosing to buy the organic versions of just these foods can reduce your family’s exposure to pesticides by 80% without breaking your grocery budget.

Go Low Flow in the Bathroom

Taking a shorter shower is a water-saving move that’s easy enough, but a smarter showerhead can make things easier. Low-flow showerheads (you can find them at any major hardware store) may save you up to $70 per year on water costs, according to the EPA’s WaterSense program.

Collect Rainwater

By placing a rain barrel at the base of a downspout, rainy days will finally have a silver lining: What you collect can be used to water non-edible outdoor and indoor plants.

What Is Earth5R’s Home Equals Planet Project?

Home Equals Planet is an initiative comprising 15 tangible actions that citizens take on an individual level. These are a step toward a sustainable planet and a healthier lifestyle. The actions promote simple actions like eating home-cooked food, segregating waste, spending time in nature, and so on.

The 15 actions are associated with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and aim to create a better future for all by 2030. Home Equals Planet covers areas like Waste Management, Health, creating a Circular Economy, etc.

Home Equals Planet: The 5th Global Entreps Awards and 5Gcitizens International Congress (earth5r.org)

To read more of such articles, please visit https://earth5r.org.

Source: Daily Ways To Be Eco-Friendly – Tips To Go Green And Save Money At Home (goodhousekeeping.com)

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