You don’t need to go to extremes to start living a green life. Turning more environment-friendly is something we need to slowly intersperse into our lives and our homes.
Follow these simple steps to get on board the green movement and see how it affects the way you live and the way you treat the earth.
1. Unplug.
When you’re through using that table lamp, computer or iPod dock, take a few extra seconds to unplug them from their sockets. This can shave off a substantial amount from your electricity bill and leave you with considerably lighter energy expenditure as well.
2. Shop secondhand.
Reduce, reuse, recycle—the three magic words that back-up the wonderfully colorful world of vintage accessories and furniture pieces. Look through your grandmother’s attic, survey the secondhand shops in and around the city, or deal directly with antique dealers for valuable finds. Whether you decide to spruce up old furniture with a fresh coat of paint or new fabric, or decide to keep their dusky, musty quality by leaving them untouched, not only are these pieces rich in history, they save you a buck or two and do well to reduce your carbon footprint.
3. Turn off your aircon.
Consider giving up the AC now that rainy nights and cool breezes are upon us. Maximize the natural ventilation by making use of your windows—not only do well-planned homes introduce winds into your abode throughout the day, they also reduce your need for artificial lighting by letting natural sunlight in. If you’re living in a pre-designed home that didn’t benefit from a well-planned layout, consider using an electric fan before reverting directly to air-conditioning.
4. Go organic.
They may have a higher price tag, but shifting the products you use to stock your pantry and bathroom to more natural items can do good for the earth and your health as well. When it comes to items in your bedrooms, living areas and dining rooms, source them from local crafters using native materials such as fibers, leaves and weaves. You’ll support locally-made products and give your space a distinctively earthy feel as well.
5. Watch your water.
While in the shower, turn off the water while giving yourself a good scrubbing or make sure no water is running while you’re brushing your teeth. Being mindful of our water consumption can make a huge difference in how much of our resources we save as opposed to how much we waste.
6. Go, grow and glow.
Whether it’s creating your own potted herb garden in your backyard or filling your home with flower-filled vases, merging the indoors with the outdoors is one way of rediscovering the beauty of nature.
7. Don’t leave a paper trail.
Use your mom’s old tea towels and cloth napkins instead of buying paper towels. Wash and air dry for a completely environment-friendly ritual.
Have any organizing questions for the author? Email her at chinggaylabrador@yahoo.com.
Chinggay Labrador is a freelance writer and stylist, contributing articles on beauty, lifestyle and design to local magazines. Her background in architecture has her profiling trends and homes throughout the region. A travel junkie who likes to frequent Japan and Korea, Chinggay is the former editor-in-chief of Sparkling, a quarterly K-Pop publication and is also the author of “Popped and Popped, Too,” books based on the fun, frivolity and friendship centered on Korean Pop music.
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