Environmental research shows that homes are major contributors to the current environmental challenges South Africa is facing. Making your home green can reduce waste and minimise pollutants while saving you money on bills. How can this be done?

Sign up for online statements

Most utility providers and financial institutions offer the option to receive online statements instead of printed statements. You just need to log in to the company’s website to change your preferences. Reducing the amount of mail you receive reduces your impact on the environment in several ways. First, it reduces the number of trees that are cut down to create the mail, which means there will be more trees converting carbon dioxide into oxygen. Second, a reduction in the amount of mail also reduces the amount of automobile exhaust associated with delivering the mail.

Buy low or no-VOC materials, and dispose off VOC products properly

VOC is an abbreviation for volatile organic compounds which can be found in many household items such as furniture, paint, building materials, carpet and cleaning supplies. VOCs can irritate your eyes and respiratory tract, and may also affect the central nervous system. To reduce indoor air pollution in your home, it’s best to choose low or no-VOC products, which are generally labelled as such. They cost a little more, but are better for the environment and your health.

Take off your shoes

Taking off shoes at the entrance of your home will help you avoid stains on the carpets and reduce toxins and pollutants coming into your home. Your shoes pick up all kinds of things that are unhealthy to breathe such as dusty particles.The good news is this can be reduced by taking your shoes off at the door.

Use LED bulbs

Light emitting diode (LED) bulbs use 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs also emit less heat, which means you will save more energy directly and indirectly.

Fix leaking toilets

Water leaks contribute to wastage of water and ultimately paying more on water bills. To make your home more green, you need to stop the leaks; pay attention to any dripping noises you might hear around the house. If you notice a leak, you’ll need to call a plumber to assess the situation.

Use native plants to landscape your yard

Using native trees and plants to landscape your yard is one of the best things you can do for the environment. Native landscaping is low maintenance and beautiful, and gives a sense of geographic location more than a generic grass lawn, and the local insects will enjoy it.

Use Solar panels

Solar panels are affordable and are an excellent way to make your home environmentally friendly. Solar panels provide clean energy with no unnecessary burden of paying electricity bills.

The recommendations above should go a long way in preserving the environment.