Can you save money by going green? Yes! Here are 10 easy and realistic steps to get you on your way, today!
1. Buy eco-friendly products
Consider the environmental impact of every day items like the plastic drinking straw. When you’re ready to take the simple step of investing in a reusable straw that lasts, looks good and saves the environment you’ll discover that products like Karunaki Bamboo Straws are a no-brainer. These straws are not only cool and durable – they are so affordable, you’ll save money in the long run.
2. Use raw ingredients
When you buy and use bulk food ingredients, rather than processed foods you’ll avoid the environmentally un-friendly packaging that comes along with single-purpose processed goods and save money by stocking up. For example, there are many ways to combine raw sugar with other simple ingredients in the kitchen. It’s worth thinking twice about buying pre-made lemonade or hot chocolate powder ever again!
3. Save by using less energy at home
Your home is your sanctuary and as you enjoy modern comforts it’s easy to forget that electricity comes at cost – until the hydro bill arrives. Replacing aging infrastructure, purchasing renewable energy and phasing out coal-powered generation are factors that contribute to rising energy costs. Taking on a lights-off approach when you leave a room benefits us all.
4. Drink more water, avoid the plastic bottle
Need further incentive to invest in a reusable water bottle? Get this: the average American buys an average of 167 disposable plastic water bottles, costing $266 a year.
5. Freecycle
Freecycling is when a person passes on, for free, an unwanted item to another person who needs that item. There’s no better way to build up eco-karma than by giving old items new life and alleviating the need to store or maintain them.
6. Use (and reuse!) what you’ve got on hand
Think before you use. As long as they are in good condition, common items like bags, envelopes, jars and packaging can be used again and again to serve multiple purposes and save you the cost of replacing them.
7. Buy second hand
By shopping second-hand, the price you pay is only a fraction of the original retail cost of a clothing item. Reducing textile waste means you’ll be saving clothes from the landfill and can discover cool stuff from creative sources at exceptionally low prices.
8. Go meat free
By now you’ve heard – meat production is a leading cause of climate change, water depletion, soil erosion and most other environmental problems. Looking for savings? Quality meat is generally more expensive than good quality veg-based
protein, especially when you prepare meals at home!
protein, especially when you prepare meals at home!
9. Conserve water
Water is not a never-ending resource. As demand threatens to outstrip supply, new infrastructure will need to be built, at significant cost to everyone. It makes a difference to take shorter showers and turn off the tap while you brush your teeth,
shave or wash your hands, and turn it back on for rinsing.
shave or wash your hands, and turn it back on for rinsing.
10. Join a sharing community
Using social networks and apps find others who share your interests, it’s easier tan ever to learn new skills, decrease waste, save space in your home – all while tapping into community. Many large cities have tool-sharing coops and makerspaces that allow you to borrow and return resources that you might only need once or twice.
With love and compassion,
Team Karunaki