By Jo & Carl Violeta
T
here’s a common misconception that being environmentally “You’ll be surprised at how affordable your conscious costs a fortune. The opposite can actually be true local farmers market is and just how with plenty of eco and budget-friendly choices being one and the long the fresh produce will last you compared to the supermarkets,” same.
We chatted to eco-friendly business owners Tammy and Sarah (The White Pidgeon Said) and blogger Andrea from Unwasteful to put together 10 eco-friendly ways to save money.
1. Ditch plastic bottled water Bottled water often costs up to $4 per bottle, so at three plastic bottles of water a week, you’re looking at a whopping $624 per year. If you’re concerned about the quality of your tap water, look into investing in a water filter for your tap. Although most plastic bottles can be recycled, some studies estimate that producing and transporting bottled water uses up to 2,000 times the energy required to produce and distribute tap water. Invest in a good quality reusable bottle for when you’re on the go and you’ll never look back.
says Sarah. “Shopping locally and in season also reduces the distance food needs to be transported.”
Andrea suggests slashing your grocery bill by growing your own fruits and veggies.
“Growing your own food is a great way to save money,” she points out “Even 2. Turn off electronics if you have limited When you’re not using an appliance, turn it off at the outlet. Leaving the space, it is possible to grow herbs and room? Switch off the light. If your device is fully charged, unplug it and smaller crops. Swap turn the charger off at the socket. excess produce with These small changes will reduce your carbon footprint, as well as chip family and friends or within a little bit off your electricity bill. the local community.”
3. Use rechargeable batteries You’ll quickly recover the initial outlay and never be caught without batteries again. You won’t have to pay to replace dead batteries and you’ll keep them out of landfill, along with all the packaging.
4. Cycle or walk on your daily commute Beneficial for your wellbeing and savings on transport costs and emissions. What’s not to love?
5. Eat seasonal fruit and vegetables Buying food when it’s at its peak supply usually translates to affordability. 18
Peninsula Kids – Spring 2019
Composting food scraps also reduces waste and helps your beautiful veggie patch to flourish.
6. Air dry your clothes We know this can be difficult in the Winter months but avoid using expensive tumble dryers to dry clothes. Air-drying clothes indoors or outdoors is free and uses less energy. Tammy explains that hanging clothes outside has other benefits. “UV does kill (some) bacteria that it directly contacts. Ensure there are no creases or crevices that the sunlight can’t hit and be sure to only bring them in once completely dry.”