Green Incentives in Savings
Recycle (Photo credits: www.recyclereminders.com)
Some people are reluctant to go green, not because it’s not their favorite color but because they believe that it’s more expensive. This is a common misconception about green living. This misunderstanding is perhaps aided by stories of celebrities spending millions trying to “greenify” their homes. You don’t have to go to those extremes. We have to be realistic and stick to a reasonable budget, one within our means. Another reason why you should go green–aside from it being healthier for you and the environment–is that it can help you save money. If you still need a little more convincing, here are some incentives that just might change your mind.
Waste Reduction
When you go green, it means that nothing or very little is wasted. The trick to managing waste is by not producing it. Use durable goods that last a long time instead of disposable goods since throwaway stuff will only contribute more to the problem of waste and pollution. Using disposable goods would also cost you more since you will need to replace them again and again. Some little things you can do that can help in waste reduction include using cloth napkins and dish towels instead of paper napkins and towels.
Reuse things–like paper and plastic bags–which can be used for the same purpose. Repairing broken furniture as well as appliances and toys means less things to throw out. If you’re no longer using them, you can sell them in a garage sale or give them away to those who need it more. Purchase products with a recycling symbol, which can mean either two things–that the product is made from recycled materials or that it may be recycled. If you use things that are either reusable or recyclable then you won’t need to spend on new items that you can do without.
Slashed Water and Energy Bills
Green living is never wasteful, which is why it tries to conserve energy and water as much as possible. For hardcore green enthusiasts, their lifestyle reflects in their energy-efficient homes, which may be engineered to run on alternative energy like wind or solar energy. The use of energy that you can get freely from nature helps you to drastically cut down on your energy bills. If you are able to find a way to recycle rainwater and use it for your urinals, then you’ll also save on your water bills. You are going to need to invest a little money first into transforming your home into a green one. It will take time and effort as well, but in the long run, the results and the savings you will glean will be worth it. You can do the changes gradually, one room at a time until the entire house is transformed. If you want some advice about green building techniques that can be applied to the home, you can consult companies like Echo Pacific, Inc., which adhere to LEED principles, especially if you’re interested in earning LEED credits.
Better Living Conditions
One of the perks of a green lifestyle is that your home is transformed into a better, healthier space to live in. The quality of air will be better and if you start your very own organic garden, then your food will be healthier, too. You can even create your own fertilizer at no additional cost as you can just dig up a compost pit. Creating your own natural fertilizer is also part of waste reduction. When you finally have your own garden and eat the food you grow, then you will spend less on groceries and you will have more money to set aside for your savings. Depending on which country you’re living in, you can also get green tax rebates.
About the Author
Based in San Diego California, Tiffany Matthews is a professional writer with over 5 years of writing experience. She also blogs about travel, fashion, and anything under the sun at wordbaristas.com, a group blog that she shares with her good friends. In her free time, she likes to travel, read books, and watch movies. You can find her on Twitter as @TiffyCat87.
Category: Save Energy
