Adopting Sustainable Living for Financial Benefits
In today's world, adopting a more sustainable lifestyle is not only beneficial for the environment but also for our wallets. By implementing simple changes, we can save money, reduce carbon emissions, and foster a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
Reusing glass jars for food storage can save money on purchasing alternatives, as they are reusable and durable. Similarly, reusing items such as reusable bags can eliminate the need to buy plastic bags, saving both money and the environment from unnecessary waste.
Lowering the thermostat 1-2 degrees Celsius during the winter can result in significant savings. According to Simon Fraser University's Creative Sustainability Campaign, this minor adjustment could save $1,440 and 9 tonnes of carbon emissions.
Reducing consumption, whether it's water, electricity, or gas, directly cuts utility costs. This is particularly evident in green or sustainable homes with energy-efficient features. Reusing items, especially buying and selling secondhand goods, can save significant money because these items often cost a fraction of the price of new ones. This practice also keeps goods out of landfills and reduces demand for new manufacturing.
Making sustainable swaps, like choosing bulk purchases, avoiding disposables, and opting for zero waste products, can lead to substantial savings. Some families have reported saving up to 40% by adopting such lifestyles. These swaps also improve health by reducing exposure to toxins in packaging and cleaning products and save time by decreasing the effort spent managing clutter and shopping.
Reducing food waste is another area where savings can be made. The average person wastes 458 lbs (208 kgs) of food per year, according to Respect Food's food calculator. This waste could be reduced, saving up to $627 (407 Euros). Food waste contributes to 3.3 million tons of CO2 emissions globally every year, making it crucial to reduce food waste for environmental reasons as well.
ThredUP, an online second-hand clothing store, states that if everyone in the US bought one used item instead of new in 2019, it would save nearly 6 billion lbs of carbon emissions. The average Canadian household spent $3,430 on clothing and accessories in 2017, and reducing new clothing purchases can save significant amounts of money.
Soap instead of body wash can save money and reduce plastic waste. Making vegetable broth from food scraps can help reduce food waste and save money. Energy conservation can also contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle, as reducing energy usage saves money on bills and reduces carbon emissions.
The first two "R's" (Reduce and Reuse) have a greater impact on reducing one's environmental footprint than recycling. BC Hydro, a Canadian utility company, has a cost calculator to help calculate energy usage and the cost of it. Small, daily savings from reusing items can add up significantly over one year.
In conclusion, embracing a sustainable lifestyle can lead to financial savings and a greener future. By reducing consumption, reusing items, and making sustainable swaps, we can lower utility bills, reduce spending on new products, and minimise maintenance and storage costs. This approach also decreases waste and resource consumption, leading to a more circular economy that benefits both personal finances and the environment.
By opting for reusable glass jars and bags, we can reduce our carbon footprint, save money, and contribute to a more eco-friendly home-and-garden lifestyle. Lowering the thermostat slightly, like 1-2 degrees Celsius, can lead to substantial savings in personal-finance by up to $1,440 annually.
Picking reusable items over new ones not only saves money but also promotes sustainability. For instance, ThredUP advocates that if every American bought one used item instead of new in 2019, it would have saved nearly 6 billion lbs of carbon emissions.
Making sustainable changes can bring financial benefits as well, such as reducing food waste which could lead to savings of up to $627 (407 Euros) per year. Soap instead of body wash and making vegetable broth from food scraps are examples of lifestyle changes that save money and resources.
According to the first two "R's" (Reduce and Reuse) being crucial in the journey towards sustainability, making simple changes like reusing items more frequently can add up to significant savings in a year. Thus, adopting sustainable-living practices is beneficial for both personal-finance and the environment.
Lastly, it's worth mentioning that a company like BC Hydro offers a cost calculator to help households evaluate their energy usage, minimize their carbon footprint, and save money on their utility bills.
