Sustainability is the core theme of our times, the one that no one can afford to ignore. From domestic consumption to company policies, in recent years there have been countless studies on how to save resources and energy, increase recycling and reuse, reduce waste, and contain CO2 emissions. To put it simply, we have learned to care about the environmental impact of our activities, whether it is heavy industry, tourism, or just the everyday management of our homes and offices. While global policies are of paramount importance in solving the climate crisis, it is also true that adopting responsible behaviour is the only way to do our part and perhaps even generate positive feedback, setting a good example for those around us and trying to create a cleaner world and a more sustainable society for all. Here are a few simple tricks we can use to save resources at home.
Save water with these simple tricks
Many Italian regions, especially in the southern part of the country, are periodically confronted with periods of drought, which lead to a reduction in the water supply. Even those who live in areas where this problem does not occur, however, should learn how to make sensible use of one of the most precious natural resources available to our species. In our daily lives, we can adopt many small behaviours that are useful in this regard. For example, we can only use washing machines and dishwashers when fully loaded (thus also saving on electricity). Even repairing leaks promptly, however small they may be, is a great way to avoid wasting water. If you have a garden, you should water it after sunset, so as to minimise evaporation and thus be able to use less water. Then there are all the good habits that many people are already adopting, such as not letting the water run while brushing our teeth or our hands and using, if possible, recycled water for all activities that do not have to do with the kitchen or personal hygiene.
Optimise electricity use
When it comes to saving resources, electricity is at the top of many people’s list, as demonstrated by the widespread success of solar panels and the pursuit of energy independent buildings. In addition, saving on electricity use also means reducing running costs both at home and in the company. One thing that few people do is disconnect chargers when they are not in use: the charger of a mobile phone or computer, connected to the socket, still consumes electricity, even if the main device is not charging. The same applies to all devices in standby mode, such as televisions and computer screens: as long as they are switched on, the meter continues to run and can weigh between 5% and 16% of the total bill. Low consumption lamps are also an excellent investment for those who want to save energy, so much so that some countries have made their use compulsory.
Saving resources and optimising expenses: avoiding food waste
Tons of food is wasted everyday worldwide. Every time we throw away food we should be aware not only of the waste we are creating but also of the environmental impact that the production of that food has had. Reducing food waste is not only a way to save money but also and above all a moral duty. The production of food for human consumption, in fact, is among the industries that have the greatest impact in terms of water consumption and CO2 emissions. Reducing food waste to save valuable resources is not at all difficult: just learn how to plan. In the case of companies and offices, you can rely on professionals to help manage supplies (e.g. for the administration of company canteens), while at home all you need to do is be patient and make a list of the family’s weekly needs, planning the meals to be prepared in advance, so as not to buy more than you need, especially in the case of food with a short shelf life. All these practices, adopted regularly, can help us to manage our resources and those of the planet more wisely and effectively.