Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Eco-Friendly Budgeting Guide




In its most basic sense, the best eco-friendly budgeting equals recycling. However, if we base it on the latest recycling guide, the US produces a significantly higher amount of waste compared to other developed countries, but there are only a few people who recycle.

If you start changing your purchases from single-use products to those that are recyclable, not only will you save money, but you will also help in saving the environment. With this said, here is our ultimate eco-friendly budgeting guide that you can easily apply to your lifestyle. Continue reading below to know more.

Purchase Reusable Items


If you buy single-use products, such as a paper plate, paper towels, disposable shavers, etc., we know that those are the much cheaper option, especially if you are on a budget. However, in the long run, they can become a much more expensive option, because you are buying them every time. 

That is why we recommend that you purchase reusable items because prices are only part of budgeting. What should matter more is the object’s sustainability. Know more about this below.



When you purchase an item, more than its price, you should also see how durable it is. This is especially true for certain equipment that has mechanical gears. It also has been tested that items that are less expensive, are usually those that are more likely to stop working sooner. 

Nevertheless, purchasing more expensive materials is not always the best option, as well. That is why it is best to do your research; if you are in the talks of buying a piece of equipment.

Now, there are also disposable items that you can still use to prolong their usability. In other words, you can use it aside from its original purpose. Therefore, it can be used more than once. A good example of this is newspapers. Newspapers are quite useful when after you are done reading. 

You can use them to wrap fragile items for shipment, you can use them as floor coverings when painting the wall or ceiling, you can use them as wrapping paper for gifts, you can even use them in your garden.

With this said, here are a few single-use things that you can swap for reusable ones:


Bring Your Own Bag When Going to the Grocery


Most of the time, people go to the grocery on a weekly basis. Today, however, more and more grocery stores are slowly removing plastic bags in an effort to help save the environment. That is because those plastic bags that you see are typically made with petroleum. And when manufacturers produce plastic, they are also releasing carbon gases into the atmosphere.




Today, grocery stores are selling reusable grocery bags for an inexpensive price. These are much sturdier than plastic bags and are the better option. However, if you really want to save money, it is best to bring your own bag. 

As a customer, you can ask for a small refund when you bring your bag. Doing so can help you save up to $10 per week. Not only that, but you will also limit the amount of plastic that will inevitably be tossed into the environment.

Shop at Your Local Farmers Market


Grocery stores are the usual option for most people, and that is alright. You can buy almost anything in groceries these days. However, most of the produce that you find inside groceries were produced by large companies that produce harmful gases during production. 

If you are looking for ways to save money on produce while limiting your carbon footprint, your best bet is the local farmers market.

These small businesses allow farmers to sell their produce fresh from their farms, removing the need for middlemen and any further deliveries, which can emit harmful gases, such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane, which are the main contributors to global warming. 

On top of that, shopping at a farmers market will offer much needed support to the farmers, as well as save you a few dollars, since they offer much lower prices.

Replace Household Items with Sustainable Products


Sustainable household items do cost more than other generic items, but they last longer. Not only that, most consumer grade items, such as light bulbs, can also help you decrease your utility bills. 

Take for example compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs), these lightbulbs are much more environment-friendly and they also last longer. Aside from that, they use 20% to 80% less than other bulbs.




Another way you can lower your bills is by replacing leaky water outlets with low water usage ones. These can greatly help reduce your water bill, therefore saving you money. This is especially good for people who have multiple toilets, showers, sinks, etc.

Conclusion


You can always save money while also caring for the environment. Although these sustainable or durable items might seem expensive at first, they will help you save money in the long run. That is why you need to think of these as investments, not only for you but also for the environment.


Lillian Connors is a Senior Content Developer at ACT-ENVIRO, with years of experience in developing content.

Throughout her career, she always looked for ways to contribute to the environment in recycling efforts, while providing valuable information with her written articles.

She’s deeply into green practices, cherishing the notion that sustainability not

only makes us far less dependent on others regarding how we live and do business

but also contributes to our planet being a better place to live on. When she is not

trying to improve the things around her (and herself, for that matter), she likes to

lose herself in a good book and sip on an occasional appletini.




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