By now you’ve probably been introduced to the terms: green, sustainable, circular living and eco-conscious. But what does it really mean to minimize or eliminate waste at home, and what if you’re not alone? If you are looking to reduce, reuse, and recycle with roommates, look no further! Whether it’s at the scale of a house or a piece of furniture, you can embrace the circular economy to keep resources in use as long as possible. In turn, you’ll contribute to more healthy and sustainable homes.
Rethink How You Organize
It’s a simple step, but rethinking how you organize your space can quickly shape how you reduce and recycle. If you don’t’ have one already, placing a recycle bin next to a garbage can remind you and your roommates to sort your waste. Give everyone a heads up and explain the system. It may take some nudging, but after a while it’s easy to get the hang of it. This extends to other pieces of furniture and areas of your home. Consider going paperless where you can, rethinking your footprint to avoid paper waste you may receive through bills and mailers.
Make Room for Shared Spaces
Life is better when it’s shared, no? Whether it’s a communal dining room and table or a living room couch, shared furniture and spaces can greatly reduce waste. Less pieces are needed for the same number of people, and in turn, less resources are needed to produce the furniture or elements in a home. Make a list of everything you have, from furnishings to kitchen utensils, and then make a list of everything you need. Consider what can be shared between you and your roommates.
Think Dual-Purpose
Dual-purpose can mean many things: indoor-outdoor seating and functionality, dining tables that double as home work stations, or a room divider that’s also a shelving unit and storage. Furniture that serves multiple uses provides flexibility and encourages reuse for individual pieces. In turn, these can save space in small apartments or homes where floor area can be a challenge.
Reuse Where Possible
Reuse furniture where possible- investing in quality can help extend the life of what you own. An easy solution- subscribe to furniture pieces! Beyond your home, reducing is almost always an options. A move as simple as brining your own cup to a local coffee shop can reduce waste and consumption, and the same is true for bringing your own grocery bag or water bottle with you. Implementing these habits can help to heavily reduce the waste you produce.
Reconsider Your Energy Needs
While every home requires different heating, cooling, lighting and cooking needs, consider where your energy is going. Meet with your roommates and discuss common areas and individual comfort. If you can, turn down the heat a few notches all around the apartment. If it’s available, you can also consider changing your energy supplier to one that’s 100% renewable. Switching can be simple and hassle-free, and can help reach zero carbon!
A more eco-conscious and circular lifestyle is only a few, easy steps away. Rethink how you and your roommates organize your home to maximize eco-friendly decisions. Make room for shared furniture and spaces by thinking dual-purpose. Reconsider how you use energy and finally, reuse where possible.
