Green living has never been so popular, and homeowners, and rental residents are keen to minimise their impact on the environment. Not only is it fashionable to be green, it is essential for the welfare of our planet and future generations. You may not understand the impact your life has, or will have, on the planet, but your home and lifestyle impact massively on the world in which we live. This guide will help you make your home more environmentally friendly and can help you make changes in your everyday life that could have a positive impact on the world.

If you love your meat, this may seem a radical move, but cutting out meat and dairy could be the way to save this planet. All contemporary research points to the production of meat being a contributor to climate change. Studies carried out by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations reveals that livestock production is a greater contributor to greenhouse gas emissions than transport. In addition to this, research conducted by cancer research charities suggest that processed meats are one of the leading causes of cancer. Going vegan is good for you, and for the planet, and is a simple change you can embrace individually. Make your home meat-free to make a difference to the environment and your health.

Before splashing out on new furniture, consider purchasing items that have been pre-owned. As the saying goes, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”, and with so many online buy, sell, and swap sites, like Craigslist, there is no excuse not to take a little time to see if you can find your own gem. You may even get something completely free! If you can’t find any relevant listings in your immediate area, you may be tempted to discover How To Search Multiple Craigslist Cities At Once for items further afield, but remember the more traveling you do, the greater your carbon footprint.

Do you always have the heating on? Do you constantly feel a draft in your home? You could be spending more than you need to on energy bills, wasting valuable natural resources. Retain heat in your home by investing in double-glazed windows, draughtproofing, and insulation. With these simple changes, you will soon notice a difference in your home.

Harsh synthetic materials may remove stains effectively, but those same chemicals end up flushed down the drain and enter the world’s waterways, and oceans. Marine animals and wildlife often bear the brunt of human’s disregard for consequences, poisoned by cleaning chemicals and discarded waste. Think carefully about what cleaning products you use, and try to use natural products whenever possible. Your cupboards could already be home to natural cleaning products, such as lemons, vinegar, baking soda, and salt. Check out these environmentally friendly home cleaning product recipes from Good Housekeeping.

As you can see, there are many different ways in which you can keep your home green and perhaps save a few dollars along the way.