March 25, 2024 Climate Action Discussions
10 Easy Ways to be More Eco-Friendly in 2023
Eco-friendly is something of a buzzword today, but what does it actually mean, and how can you and your business be more eco-friendly?
In essence, eco-friendly means living and working in a way that does as little damage to the environment as possible. Ideally, doing no harm to the environment whatsoever. The challenge of course is finding ways to live in an eco-friendly manner that are both viable and sustainable.
Not all eco-friendly changes need to be major changes, some can be small daily routine changes. Whilst others will of course involve a larger, longer-term investment and commitment.
So, what are some of the ways you can become more eco-friendly both in your home and business?
1. Recycle
When we say recycle, we do not just mean make sure you put everything plastic, cardboard or paper into your green bin. We mean re-use what you can as often as you can. Use a re-usable water bottle in your home instead of buying them. Re-use your boxes and packaging as much as you can. You can also ensure that you purchase recyclable materials such as paper and plastic products for use in your home or business.
Recycling is not just about putting plastic, cardboard, or paper into your green bin. It’s about reusing as much as you can. Look for opportunities to reuse items instead of throwing them away. For example, use a reusable water bottle instead of buying disposable ones. Reuse your boxes and packaging for storage or shipping purposes. Additionally, opt for purchasing products made from recyclable materials such as paper and plastic.
2. Use Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Products
Use Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Products: Many cleaning products contain harmful ingredients and chemicals that can harm the environment. Choose cleaning products that are labelled as environmentally friendly or natural. Look for products that use biodegradable ingredients and avoid harsh chemicals. This way, you can keep your home or business clean without negatively impacting the environment. Choose sustainable, eco-cleaning products that are based on fats and sugars (renewable resources) and are free from synthetic dyes, fragrances and preservatives.
Lots of cleaning products contain various ingredients and chemicals that are harmful to the environment, both in the production of the product and in its use and disposal. So many everyday cleaning products such as detergents, foaming agents, preservatives and even shampoo have harmful chemicals in them.
When choosing sustainable, eco-cleaning products, look for the following labels to ensure they are certified and also avoid animal testing.
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Certified B Corporation
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Cradle to Cradle
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Eco-cert
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EU Eco Label
- Vegan Flower seal
Please note these labels are recommended, many countries have their national certification labels.
3. Invest in eco-friendly vehicles
Invest in Eco-Friendly Vehicles: While fully electric vehicles are still not widely accessible, hybrid vehicles offer a great alternative. These vehicles run on a combination of petrol and electrical power, significantly reducing emissions compared to traditional vehicles. Consider incorporating hybrid vehicles into your business fleet, taking advantage of potential tax incentives and exemption from congestion charges.
Fully electric vehicles are realistically and economically still some time away from being completely viable to most people. In the meantime, hybrid vehicles are an excellent option. Without the need to be charged they run off a combination of petrol and electrical power dramatically reducing emissions. If you’re a business, you can get tax incentives for using them and they are also congestion charge exempt!
4. Buy biodegradable products
Buy Biodegradable Products: While it may require some effort, try to purchase products that are biodegradable, especially for short-term use items. Look for certifications or labels indicating that the product is biodegradable. By choosing biodegradable products, you ensure that they will naturally decompose and have minimal impact on the environment.
We appreciate that this is easier said than done, but a little bit of checking can usually tell you if the product you are buying, especially if it is a short-term use product, is biodegradable or not. Whereas you have little or no control what happens to waste once it is collected from your home or business, you can ensure that wherever it ends up, it should naturally decompose.
5. Reduce Your Paper
Reduce Your Paper Usage: Both at home and in the workplace, reducing paper consumption can make a significant impact on your carbon footprint. Embrace digital solutions whenever possible to avoid printing unnecessary documents. Explore electronic signature software to sign contracts digitally instead of printing and mailing them. Use digital storage and communication tools to minimise paper usage.
At home and especially at work in a busy office, reducing the amount of paper you use will have a significant impact on your carbon footprint. So where possible don’t print things out. There are numerous solutions to help with this, you could try getting an e-singing software so that you can sign contracts without having to print them out.
6. Use public transport
Use Public Transport: Opting for public transportation instead of driving your car reduces the number of vehicles on the road, leading to lower carbon emissions. Encourage your employees to utilize public transport whenever feasible, and set an example by using it yourself. Consider providing incentives or subsidies to support public transportation usage among your staff.
Using public transport reduces the number of cars on the road and therefore reduces overall carbon emissions. If your business location allows for it, encourage your employees to use public transport as much as possible and do not forget to use it yourself too – if you can.
7. Conserve Electricity
Conserve Electricity: Electricity consumption in offices and factories can be substantial. Look for ways to reduce unnecessary electricity usage. Encourage employees to turn off lights and electronic devices when not in use. Utilise energy-efficient equipment and appliances. Implement smart energy management systems to monitor and optimize electricity usage, reducing both costs and environmental impact.
Offices can require lots of electricity in order to function. Factories of course require even more and therefore the usage of electricity is unavoidable. However, both for your pocket and for the environment, it makes sense to not use it whenever you don’t have to!
8. Donate, don’t dispose
Donate, Don’t Dispose: Whenever possible, donate items instead of throwing them away. Many things you no longer need or use might still be valuable to others. Consider donating unwanted clothes to charity shops or giving away furniture with a “free” sticker. By donating, you reduce waste and promote reuse, benefiting both the environment and the community.
Wherever possible, its best to give things away rather than throw them away. You will be surprised what others will want that you no longer have a use for. The disposal process is often very environmentally impactful, so it is always preferable to donate your unwanted clothes to a charity shop, put your unwanted furniture outside with a “free” sticker on it. You will be amazed how quickly it goes.
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Buy renewable energy
Buy Renewable Energy: Most energy companies now offer specialised renewable energy options. Consider switching to electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar, biomass, wind, or hydro power. Many providers offer incentives for businesses to choose renewable energy, contributing to a greener energy grid and demonstrating your commitment to sustainability.
Nowadays most energy companies will have a specialised offering whereby they can provide you with electricity generated from renewable sources. There are often incentives for you to do this, especially if you are a business. Ask your energy provider about a renewable supply.
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Use renewable heating
Use Renewable Heating: Heating is a significant energy-consuming aspect, particularly in homes and businesses. Consider biomass heating as a carbon-neutral alternative to gas and oil boilers. Biomass heating systems utilize organic materials such as wood pellets or agricultural waste to generate heat. They are cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and can even qualify for financial incentives like the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme.
Heating homes, businesses and buildings is one of the largest uses of energy in the UK. Due to the nature of some businesses heating can be a year-round requirement. Gas and oil boilers are the most common forms of heating used. However, biomass is a carbon-neutral option that is cheaper than gas and oil to run and can even earn you money through the RHI scheme.
If you would like to learn more about how biomass can help you to become more eco-friendly in your home or business, please contact us today.
