With its highly modernized and fast-paced environment, living in an urban city can be overwhelming at times. Big cities have more people, crime, traffic, and most importantly, trash.
As nearly 70% of the world’s population is expected to live in big cities by 2050, explosive urbanization may burden our planet. That’s why it’s important to live sustainably even in the heart of the city.
Be it avoiding plastic or composting food, being mindful of your waste can turn you into a better environmental citizen. Here are some simple tips and tricks that you can follow at home to transform your urban lifestyle:
The 3 R’s: Reuse, Recycle, Reduce
If you’re struggling to keep up with the waste that comes with the pace of your surroundings, you are not alone. However, by bringing less waste into your home in the first place, you can make a huge impact in the long run.
Simple things like opting for reusable bottles, grocery bags, and lunch boxes could help you minimize your environmental footprint altogether. Follow your grandmother’s footsteps by reusing the containers that your food comes in to store other foods, and try not to bring a lot of trash into your home.
Conserve Energy At Home
Staying indoors, more and more people opt for virtual meetings and binge-watch TV shows at home. These extra activities exacerbate energy consumption and harm our planet. To conserve electricity, it’s helpful to switch to natural light whenever possible and incorporate energy-efficient, LED light bulbs. During daylight hours, don’t forget to open your curtains and let that urban sunlight in – this will boost your mood and productivity!
Go Local
To support local agriculture while taking care of your health, you should visit your nearby farmer’s market. Not only is it a great way to jumpstart your weekend, but also an eco-friendly alternative to supermarket shopping. With their sustainably-made packaging and fresh, seasonal produce, local farmers will thank you for choosing them over GMO food conglomerates.
Say Goodbye to Plastic
Easier said than done, right? However, looking for alternatives to plastic doesn’t always have to be a hassle. Consider purchasing milk in carton packaging, juice in glass bottles, and pre-made foods in glass jars whenever possible. Embrace the feeling of purchasing fruits and vegetables in baskets, reusable tote bags, and bulk containers. It not only fills your urban life with eco-joy but keeps your food safe from microplastics, toxins, and other contaminants.
Filter your water
Running water contains a myriad of harmful chemicals like lead, chlorine, and rust particles, which can lead to health complications. According to research, tap water contains more than 2,000 different types of toxic substances. The chemicals have been linked with heart disease, cancer, birth defects, and gastrointestinal problems.
Water treatment plants disinfect public water supplies only to a certain extent. When the water flows through pipelines before reaching your kitchen sink, it absorbs contaminants along the way. Filled with industrial run-off and pesticides, your tap water may look clean but contain dangerous chemicals. This is especially true if the water carries an off-putting chlorine odor and taste.
Opt for this water filter from our Eco marketplace, which effectively eliminates contaminants, fungi, and microorganisms from your tap water.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by Impakter.com contributors are their own, not those of Impakter.com. — Featured Photo: Woman using cotton bag Source: Shutterstock
