Author

Megan Kioulafofski

Megan is a writer, business owner, and a passionate eco-enthusiast. Wanting to share her passion and enthusiasm for eco-friendly living, she writes about topics that can help others live more sustainably in their daily lives. Currently living in Puerto Rico, she spends her spare time at farmers’ markets, cooking delicious meals, and practicing beach yoga.

turn trash into cash
BusinessFeaturedFinance

Give Back To The Earth and Your Wallet By Turning Trash Into Cash

by Megan Kioulafofski
3 minutes read

Recycling For Profit: Turn Trash Into Cash

Trying to get your head around what the “turn trash into cash” saying means?

What if we told you could make money while staying in the comfort of your home by getting paid to recycle? 

Well, you sure can! And if you are curious to discover how, join us today as we discuss how recycling can turn out to be not only beneficial for the environment, but also profitable for your wallet. So if you are looking to save up a little extra this season, let’s look at some surprising things you can do with your everyday junk. 

Best Way To Turn Your Trash Into Cash

With the holiday’s approach, you may be looking for extra spunky ways to earn a little extra cash. Whether you’re looking to pay down debt, spend a little more on holiday gifts, or build up your savings account, there are some fun and interesting ways to do so. And it may be even easier than you imagine. 

What is trash to cash?

There are lots of ways to turn trash into cash! For starters, top money making recyclables may just be the things you throw away regularly. But did you know that there are companies willing to pay good money for the items you are tossing away without a second thought? As surprising as it may seem, there are many businesses that see waste as a resource. And the way these companies make a significant amount of money from cleaning up your community, is by collecting garbage, recycling, composting, and disposing it after.

What can I recycle to make money?

As the old saying goes, “One man’s trash, another man’s treasure”, objects like plastic bottles, aluminium cans, wine corks, old electronics, scrap metal, cardboard boxes, or ink cartridges can turn out to be valuable recyclable materials you can use to turn trash into cash. So if you have unwanted items lying around your home, do some research to see if it’s worth any money. 

For instance, apps like Decluttr, and Letgo are easy ways to make money off your full trash cans. Decluttr allows you to buy and sell your used technology and books to get rid of items that don’t serve you, while Letgo lets you post items you don’t want anymore for sale (and all around the world)! 

If you’re interested in getting started with turning trash into cash, check out our animated infographic below. And while working towards your financial goals, always check-in on your budget (and make it easy on the fly).

turn trash into cash with ecofriendly saving tips

If you liked our post about how to turn trash into cash, and are looking for more ways to protect the earth and turn your life unplastic, follow our sustainable living blog. And if you are curious to discover how to reduce single use plastic at home, why not browse through our collection of reusable shopping bags.

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environmental benefits of electric cars
SustainabilityTechnology

The Environmental Benefits Of Electric Cars, And Why You Should Consider Buying One

by Megan Kioulafofski
7 minutes read

Are Electric Cars More Environmentally Friendly?

If you are concerned about air pollution and climate change, and are looking for ways to reduce your environmental impact, the benefits of electric cars are worth considering. In fact, one of the fastest ways to accelerate your transition to an eco-friendlier lifestyle, which takes the health of our Planet into account, is to switch to an electric vehicle. 

Still unsure about what the benefits of electric vehicles are? Let’s have a look at the data.

According to a study made by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, a considerable amount of greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation. This accounts for 28% of emissions, coming in above agriculture, commercial & residential, industry and power generation. To continue with some more alarming numbers, the average North American drives about 10,500 miles per year. Taking a national average of 25.1 miles per gallon, that equates to about 420 gallons of gasoline burned annually – a mind boggling number!

And since giving up entirely on transportation is not feasible for any of us, the greenest alternatives are to either use a bicycle, or to invest into buying an electric car. Owning one is a lot like owning a gas-powered vehicle. The main difference is that you don’t have to spend time at a gas station getting a fill-up. Instead, you need to charge your car and you can either do this at home, or at public charging stations.

Ready to find out what are the pros of electric cars?

In this article, we’ll cover some of the main aspects that are worth considering before going electric. So let’s dig in!

How Do Electric Cars Get Charged?

The biggest environmental benefit of electric cars is the fact that instead of consuming fuel like conventional vehicles, they use eclectic power. This translates into lower carbon emissions and fossil fuels.

Electric vehicle charging comes in three “levels.” Level 1 and 2 can be performed from the owner’s home or apartment, while level 3 requires a supply voltage that is typically only available in areas zoned as commercial.

Level 1 is the most convenient way to charge electric motors, but it’s also the slowest. By using a standard 120-volt wall outlet, Level 1 charging typically adds about four miles of range per hour. Depending on the model of the vehicle, recharging the battery can take between eight and twenty-four hours. For peace of mind, keep a long extension cord in your trunk. This will allow you to recharge almost anywhere you go, even at campgrounds. As long as you can find a standard electrical outlet, you will be able to power your car.

Level 2 charging is typically what people install in their homes. Requiring a 240-volt electric circuit—the same as the used for large electric appliances like dryers or stoves, Level 2 charging is typically six times faster than Level 1 and adds about twenty-five miles of driving range per hour. Most electric vehicles come with a portable Level 2 charger that includes a 240-volt plug and a 120-volt plug, so that it can also be used as a Level 1 charger. 

And since most people are not only preoccupied by the environmental benefits of electric cars but also by the convenience and the aesthetic aspect of installing a charger in their house, a slightly more convenient and cleaner-looking option is to install a wall-mounted Level 2 charger. These range in price from about $180 for aftermarket units to $500 for units from your EV manufacturer. According to HomeAdvisor, it will cost you between $1,200 to $2,000 to have a Level 2 charger professionally installed. 

wall-mounted Level 2 charger

If you live in an apartment, or are looking to rent one, be sure to ask your landlord about any existing electric vehicle charging stations, and whether you will have access to a 220-volt outlet. If your apartment complex doesn’t have electric car charging, you can ask your landlord about having one installed. ChargePoint, one of the largest electric vehicle charging networks in the US, even offers a simple form letter that you can fill out, and send to your landlord for them to request to have a charger installed. A public charger will increase the value of the rental property.

Level 3 provides the fastest charging. Requiring a 480-volt electric circuit, which is typically only found in commercially zoned areas, Level 3 can usually recharge a battery up to 80 percent capacity in less than a half hour. The best part is that while you grab a cup of coffee or snack, your car will be already charged.

Are Charging Stations Easy To Find?

Public charging stations are growing rapidly, and are now commonly located near grocery stores, libraries, public and workplace parking lots, or malls. The United States alone has now more than 20,000 electric car charging stations, with about 90,000 connectors and that’s a 38 percent extension from 2018. This shows that more and more people are starting to consider the environmental benefits of electric cars, and are making the switch.

The charging station market is currently led by three big players. Tesla, the biggest one of them claims to have 1,971 supercharger stations with 17,467 connectors. ChargePoint has 30,000 connectors, while Electrify America has 12,000 charging stations, and 35,000 connectors.

woman charging electric car

What Are The Positive Effects Of Electric Cars?

Electric cars come with much more than just their environmental benefits. Compared to gas-powered vehicles, they are also much cheaper to fill up. Charging at home, takes advantage of the low cost of electric power, with most owners reporting a modest-to-unnoticeable increase in their electric bill. And if you want to save even more money, you can do that by taking advantage of off-peak discounts. Many utilities charge less for electric power during the times of the day when the usage is usually low. So by charging your car at night, the cost for electricity will be lower. If you want to find out the exact costs, your electric company can tell you what the rate difference is.

Under the Hood:

It costs a little over $3.00 to drive a typical electric vehicle one hundred miles. If your gasoline-powered car gets twenty-five miles per gallon, it takes four gallons to cover that distance. Gas prices fluctuate wildly anywhere from $2.50 per gallon to $4.00, so driving one hundred miles would cost you between $10 and $16. That’s $3 versus $10 to $16.

Discounts for electricity vary by the hour and the season. For example, as of July 2020, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) charges 38 percent more for peak power than for off-peak power. LADWP peak hours are 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the summer (June 1 to September 30). Their off-peak hours on weekdays are midnight to 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. to midnight. On weekends, off-peak is twenty-four hours a day. The discount in the winter is much lower.

If you want to go the extra mile in terms of saving, some cities have free public charging stations you can look for. The places to look into are malls, shopping centers, and libraries. There is even an app called the PlugShare which allows you to find free electric vehicle charging.

book about the environmental benefits of electric cars

If you are considering buying a new vehicle and are wondering what are the pros of electric cars, searching the Internet can be a bit overwhelming. The Arrival of the Electric Car, written by Chris Johnston and Ed Sobey PhD, is a comprehensive, easy-to-understand overview of the electric car universe. It includes a buyer’s guide for those preparing to own an electric vehicle, a bit of history, and some aspects of what we can expect in the future. For all those looking to know more about the fascinating world of electric vehicles, this is both a fun and insightful guide.

Final Word On Environmental Benefits Of Electric Cars

As seen above, other than helping you save fuel money, electric cars can also reduce the emissions that contribute to climate change and smog, improving public health and reducing ecological damage. And by charging your electric car on renewable energy sources such as solar or wind, you can help minimize these emissions even more.

If you liked our post about the environmental benefits of electric cars and would like to learn more about how to live zero waste, check out our sustainable living blog. We have a choice of articles you can browse through, depending on your interests.

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Reduce holiday waste
FeaturedHomeSustainability

How To Reduce Holiday Waste

by Megan Kioulafofski
3 minutes read

Since the holidays are right around the corner, think of ways you can make more sustainable habits! This season is all about gifts, decorations, food, and more, however, a lot of waste is created from these festivities once they’re over.

Did you know that American household waste goes up 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Years’? Unfortunately, all of this waste contributes to 1 million extra tons a week to the landfill! 

As you’re celebrating this year, take the time to be more mindful of the food you consume, where you purchase your gifts and the materials you use. By doing this, not only will you keep the holiday cheer, but you can give back to the earth at the same time! Become more eco-friendly this holiday season with these sustainable tips from TurboTenant. 

1. Recycle Your Christmas Tree

recycle christmas tree

Although Christmas trees are a staple this time of year, their environmental impact is larger than you think. For starters, 30 million Christmas trees are sold each year in the United States. Each tree also has a carbon footprint of 7.7 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent, which is the same as driving your car for 10 miles! 

To become more sustainable with your Christmas tree, consider selecting locally grown trees, donate before you toss your artificial tree, or contact your local recycling center to ask about recycling it so it doesn’t end up at a landfill. 

2. Use Eco-Friendly Decor

ecofriendly DIY gift decor

Be more mindful when it comes to decorating this season! Be sure to choose eco-friendly materials when decorating or reuse some from past holidays. You can even be creative and craft some DIY decorations!

For DIY decor, you can use leaves and branches from your yard to make a wreath, paint pinecones to create a centerpiece, or make festive garlands or ornaments from dried fruit and berries! 

3. Use Alternatives for Wrapping Paper

sustainable wrapping options during holidays

A lot of paper gets used and then thrown away shortly after the holidays. This season, you can be more sustainable by using wrapping alternatives with items from around your house.

For example, use cloth materials or old t-shirts to wrap gifts (known as furoshiki wrapping), newspaper for a unique gift wrap look, shredded newspaper or other recycled paper materials can be used as a gift box filler, or you can even use clean to-go boxes as a unique gift holder! 

4. Be Less Wasteful With Food

being mindful of food consumption and waste during holidays

Although we tend to gather with our friends and family and consume a lot of food together, there are ways to be more mindful when it comes to our food purchases and waste.

Make sure to shop locally, reuse leftovers in new recipes, or give leftovers or unused canned goods to your local charity. Also, composting can be a great way of discarding waste from your Christmas dinner! 

5. Limit Paper Usage 

reducing paper waste during the holidays

Even though holiday cards are a staple, they tend to create more paper waste, especially during this time of year. Instead, consider sending an e-card! In the US, 2.64 billion cards are sold each year, so if you send an e-card instead, it can save a lot of paper from going to waste. 

6. Rethink Your Gift

choose experience gifts

Instead of using materials as part of your Christmas gift this year, consider being more sustainable and gift “experiences” instead. This can be something thoughtful such as having dinner with a loved one, donating to someone’s favorite charity, or going on a camping trip. 

During the holidays, being more eco-friendly is more important than ever. From DIY sustainable decor to being more mindful when it comes to food consumption, these tips will help you do better for the planet while still remaining festive!

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eco entrepreneur
BusinessSustainability

7 Green Business Ideas For The Eco Entrepreneur

by Megan Kioulafofski
5 minutes read

What Is An Eco Entrepreneur?

As the movement of conserving our planet’s resources is becoming increasingly popular, so are the opportunities for eco-entrepreneurs looking for green business ideas. You might even be asking yourself “How do I start an eco-friendly business?”. And if you are, kudos to you. We need more people like you!

Today, people have started to care more and more about the environment, and about the way their consumerism is taking its toll on it. From how far their goods have traveled or what materials they are made from, to how much the workers have been paid to make them, consumers are far more aware about what they buy. Understanding that all natural resources are finite, the main goal of environmental entrepreneurship is to preserve these resources to the maximum extent, and to find solutions to the planet’s issues through products, services, or educational systems. 

If sustainability and reducing our environmental impact is something that you care about too, there are plenty of eco-friendly business ideas that you could look into. Whether you are looking to revamp an existing business, or start a brand new sustainable business, here are the ones that we find the most exciting.

Eco-Friendly Fashion

For those looking to become an eco entrepreneur, the fashion market is full of opportunities. Everyone needs clothes, and that’s a fact! But although there are a lot of people interested in fashion and the latest trends, many of them are also not happy to support businesses who use slave labor for manufacturing, or materials and practices that are harmful to the environment. 

So if you are looking for green business ideas and don’t know where to start, how about a clothing business with an ethical manufacturing process throughout its entire supply chain?  By producing your items locally, and using recycled materials to create your goods, you can save big on manufacturing and shipping costs. WIth plenty of people out there looking for eco-friendly fashion, providing them with a good product can turn out to be a fantastic business. 

Ink Refill business

People need to print, and they need to use paper. And although slightly different from the fashion world, ink-refilling is still something that can be considered a social necessity, and which can bring in a nice profit to any eco entrepreneur. So if you want to make money by encouraging people to use old cartridges, an ink-refill business can lead to less non-biodegradable waste in landfills. 

Environmental Publications

If you enjoy writing and want to make a difference to the world, an environmental publication can both educate, and help people do their bit for the environment. Many individuals would like to do better but don’t know where to start. So by making it clear and addressing the myths, you can not only help them, but help the planet too. 

Bicycle Repair and Refurbishing

Encouraging people to cycle rather than to use their cars can make a real difference to the environment. One way to do this, if you are looking for green business ideas, is to open a bicycle repair shop where you could fix bikes and refurbish them, but also help people build their confidence when it comes to cycling. 

Cleaning Services

Did you know that there are plenty of green options when it comes to the cleaning industry? A business in this sector can be very lucrative for any eco entrepreneur, and if you want to differentiate yourself from your competitors, you can do so by bringing in some innovation. As an example, you could offer the services of a green cleaning team which only uses all-natural and eco-friendly cleaning products. This could bring you plenty of business from people who don’t have time to clean, but still want to do their bit for the environment.

Bulk Food Shop

Green products are a selling point. By opening a shop which only sells bulk food you can offer your customers a healthy alternative to buy what they need, minus the plastic packaging that is hazardous for both the environment and their health. Check out this beautiful zero waste store in Bali!

zero waste shop as a green business idea

Organic Nutritionist

What better green business idea than to become a nutritionist specializes in helping people take healthier eating and living decisions? Organic eating helps prevent and treat chronic diseases, such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes, and as a nutritionist you can set your practice online, at home or in a variety of settings like clinics or schools.

Final Thoughts On Green Business Ideas

These are just a few of the many opportunities those looking to become an eco entrepreneur can look into. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, you can use your mind and talent to put an environmental spin on just about anything. Check out what other people are doing and bring something similar to your local area and help to clean up the environment. 

Hoping that you found our green business ideas inspiring, why not have a look at our reusable produce bags too. Reusable shopping bag manufacturing is another venture anyone looking for a life unplastic can consider when thinking about becoming an eco entrepreneur.

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the plastic pandemic
PollutionSustainability

The Plastic Pandemic and its Environmental Cost

by Megan Kioulafofski
9 minutes read

All around the world, recycling efforts have taken a backseat during the COVID-19 pandemic, unleashing another type of beast – the plastic pandemic.

From our huge increase in disposable PPE, to not being able to bring our own sustainable bags when shopping, all these tolls that are taken in the name of public health are severely damaging the health of the environment. Single use plastic usage has increased by 20% during the last year pandemic — meaning we’re supercharging the already devastating path towards global warming and climate change. 

plastic use during covid19

So how can we combat the plastic pollution while still staying safe? It’s likely that many people just don’t realize all the small ways their plastic use is adding up, and the alarming environmental cost we will all have to pay. That’s why one of the best ways to combat the devastating effects of single use plastics is by being educated on how to reduce plastic waste during COVID-19.

For example, did you know that PPE is considered medical waste and can’t be recycled? Seeing as we’re on track to make a year’s worth of medical waste every two months, it’s essential that we as individuals take steps to minimize our contributions to the plastic pandemic, and its continuing collateral damage on the environment.

From wearing reusable masks to shopping sustainable brands, here’s how you can end plastic waste and do your part to reduce the environmental impact of COVID-19.

how to reduce the plastic pandemic caused by covid19

 How To Fight The Plastic Pandemic Caused By COVID-19

For many of us, tossing things such as plastic goods in a separate bin is as far as we get when it comes to recycling. However, it’s crucial that plastic get sorted out correctly to ensure that it doesn’t contaminate the rest of the recycling. Remember — not all plastic is created equal! 

One of the strongest ways to decrease the impact of your carbon footprint is to decrease the amount of plastic you use altogether. But since not too many people can drop plastic out of their lives entirely, it’s essential to at least be up to date with the best ways to reduce plastic use during COVID-19. And this includes also knowing the waste management rules and regulations imposed by the pandemic.

1. Take Your Own Bags 

It can take up to 1,000 years for a plastic bag to decompose in a landfill. Make a long term difference and reduce the environmental cost caused by the plastic pandemic by bringing your own reusable produce bags when shopping. However, since many stores are not allowing these types of bags right now due to current sanitary concerns, here’s what you can do – put your products back into your basket once you’re done checking them out, and place them in your bag once you’re outside of the store. Chains such as Trader Joe’s have implemented bagging stations outdoors so you can easily do this. 

Your impact: bringing your own bags can reduce the need for 1,500 plastic bags a year.

2. Limit Your Packaging From Takeout

With millions of people ordering takeout these days not only in the United States but all over the world, the impact of single-use packaging such as to-go boxes and cutlery has increased.  

To reduce the environmental cost of the plastic pandemic caused by COVID-19, choose eco-friendly options, such as:

      • Request a paper or compostable box. If not, you can try to ask for aluminum foil – most kitchens and restaurants have this!
      • Don’t ask for plastic silverware or napkins, and even request beforehand to not include it
      • Supply your own containers and reusable shopping bags to pick up food
      • Only ask for the condiments that are needed, or just use what you have at home 
      • Say no to a plastic bag 

Placing an order for takeout is one of the best options when it comes to eating out safely during the pandemic. But no matter if you pick up your food, or order food delivery at home, you can minimize the carbon footprint of your meal by being conscious of the plastic used. 

Your impact: Reduce your average waste by 400 pounds per year. This is as much as a gorilla’s worth of trash.

environmental cost of plastic bottles

3. Choose Water Bottles That Are Reusable 

50 billion water bottles made of plastic are purchased by American consumers each year. From these, only 20 percent get recycled. 

Using reusable water bottles is one of the simplest ways to reduce your carbon footprint, as more and more companies are coming up with eco-friendly solutions to combat the plastic pandemic.  Currently, you can find reusable water bottles that are able to keep your water cooler for a longer period of time, while also minimizing your need for plastics. 

Your impact: An average of 167 plastic bottles or $266 worth will be saved every year. 

environmental cost of the plastic pandemic

4. Decrease Single-Use PPE

The COVID-19 pandemic caused disposable PPE to increase 12x the normal amount. That’s because items like latex or disposable face masks are treated as medical waste, meaning that your entire recycling bin becomes contaminated once you throw them in. So, the amount of waste that PPE creates has a bigger impact that you might have been aware of.  

PPE that is single-use should be reserved for those who need it most such as hospital workers on the frontline, since they are better equipped to dispose of these materials properly. 

Disposing of even one percent of PPE improperly can lead to up to 20 tons of waste. This is almost equally to the weight of a fire truck. Be a part of the alliance to end the plastic pandemic by choosing only reusable face masks. These measures are not only meant to protect yourself, but the environment as well. 

Your impact: Save up to 365 disposable PPE masks a year.

5. Choose Sustainable Brands

An additional method of reducing your impact on the planet is to search for low-waste options while shopping. This includes: 

      • Choose brands that use sustainable manufacturing and reusable or compostable packaging
      • Select “Ship in the least boxes” options for multiple orders
      • Don’t shop with brands that are fast fashion
      • Go to stores that are secondhand

The fashion industry alone contributes with 85% of textiles to the landfills and 10 percent of the world’s carbon emissions each year. This equals the amount of waste from one garbage truck per second.

But although sustainable brands are great, they are usually out of budget for most. A solution to this problem is to simply purchase fewer items. Jeans need 2,000 gallons of water to be produced while a shirt needs700 gallons. So buying less can really make a difference.  

Your impact: reducing your clothing impact by buying just one shirt or pair of pants a year, can save the same amount of water as an average monthly water bill.  

6. Reuse Your Disposable Bags

It may be inevitable that you use some disposable bags during the pandemic. Although disposable bags are single-use, you can still use them more than once. If you do bring home a disposable bag, make sure you reuse it for something in your home, like for example a trash liner.

Your impact: If you reuse a disposable bag even just once, you can cut back plastic bag usage by half and save 750 bags a year. 

If the plastic pandemic has you worried like us, please offer your support in reducing single use plastic waste and minimizing the environmental cost of COVID-19 on our planet. From using organic cotton shopping bags to limiting plastic use from takeout, small tweaks to your lifestyle could truly make a big difference. 

For more advice on how to live zero waste, follow our sustainable living blog or reach out to us on our contact page.

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save water at home
HomeSustainability

How To Save Water At Home In Your Daily Life

by Megan Kioulafofski
10 minutes read

Are you concerned about water saving, how to live zero waste and environmental initiatives?

You should know then that any zero waste living commitment should always include ways on how to save water in your daily life. And while eliminating water usage entirely isn’t a realistic goal, a sustainable use of water in our everyday habits is a necessity. 

The commitment to conserving water starts at home. While estimates vary, the average person uses anywhere from 80-100 gallons of water per day (and that’s before we all started spending more time at home due of COVID-19).

There are more benefits to water conservation than just social responsibility. It will also save you money both on your water and electric bill. 

Our room-by-room guide will walk you through how to save water in your daily life throughout the home, and show you how many gallons we could all help save each week. 

Saving Water In The Kitchen

sustainable use of water in the kitchen

Looking for how to save water in your daily life?

The kitchen is the perfect place to start!

Cooking at home is a great way to reduce single use plastic waste. But it’s equally important to be mindful of your drinking water use as you prep, cook and clean up. 

Skip hand washing dishes and run full dishwasher loads: This might surprise you, but it’s actually more eco-friendly (and much faster) to load your dirty dishes in the dishwasher, rather than to wash dishes by hand. Most modern washing machines don’t require pre washing so you can add dirty dishes directly in the machine. 

Steam, rather than boil your vegetables: Keep more nutrients in your vegetables and use less water by steaming rather than boiling when you cook. Steamed veggies taste better and are more nutrient dense.

Compost to reduce garbage disposal use: Add this to your list of reasons to start composting: you help conserving water by running your garbage disposal less. Many of your leftover scraps can go to the compost pile and get transformed into a healthy soil feeder for your yard or garden.  

Soak pots and pans overnight: Not all pots and pans should go to the dishwasher. If your pans aren’t dishwasher safe, soak them in the sink overnight with soap rather than hand washing them. This will have you using only one batch of water to remove crusty residue.  

Reuse cooking water in your yard or garden: Do you feel guilty when you waste water by tossing out the cooking leftover? Well you should! There are plenty of ways to reuse cooking water. Pasta water can be reused again and again for even heartier dishes. You can also cool the water to room temperature and then water the plants and flowers with it. 

Sustainable Use Of Water In The Bathroom

saving water in the bathroom

Most households use the most amount of water in the bathroom. 

Here’s how to save water in your daily life and cut down on the waste you make in your bath.

Replace a bath with shorter showers: Ditch a full bath (which can use 70 gallons of water) and replace your soak with a 10 minute shower. Your family can save up to 315 gallons of water per week with this simple habit change. 

Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth:  Do you leave the water running often? You should know that keeping the water running as you brush your teeth is a big water waster. Instead, get used to turning running water off in between wash and rinse, and teach your kids to do the same.  

Check pipes and appliances for leaks: Did you know that over 900 billion gallons of water is lost to household leaks annually in the U.S.? Check your pipes and appliances monthly to make sure they aren’t leaking and wasting water. 

Install a high-efficiency toilet: Americans use the most daily water when flushing the toilet. New, upgraded toilets require a lot less water to run and flush. Upgrading to high-efficiency and energy grade will go a long way in your sustainable use of water efforts.

Use a dual fish toilet and only flush when necessary: You don’t need to flush the toilet every time you go. Experts recommend only flushing number two, but if that makes you feel uncomfortable, try to not use your toilet as a trash to flush waste. 

Ways To Conserve Water In The Laundry Room

how to save water in daily life while doing the laundry

Small changes in the laundry room can make a big impact on how to save water in your daily life. These new habits will not only save water, but also time and money. 

Use water that is cold to run loads: Limit energy consumption in the laundry room by running cold loads. Ninety percent of the energy used every day during the washing process is to heat the water. 

Upgrade your appliances: You should also upgrade your appliances in the laundry room. Energy Star rated machines both reduce water and electricity waste. 

Run full laundry loads: Like the dishwasher, you should only run full laundry loads in order to save water. If you do run a smaller load, make sure to use the corresponding button on the washer so it uses less water to fill. 

Hang clothes on a drying rack: Solve two problems at once — a clothes drying rack will stop clothes shrinkage from the dryer and it will save tons of energy (and thus, water too). 

Reuse items like towels before you wash: Not every item of clothing or fabric needs to be washed after a single use. Yes, your underwear should be — but your towels or jeans can be reused 2-3 times before requiring a wash. 

How To Save Water Outdoors

saving water outdoors

Water is an essential ingredient to a healthy lawn. But bad water habits and unchecked irrigation can run up your waste and water bill. 

Add mulch to your lawn: Catch and conserve water in your yard with mulch. Some of the most popular yard mulches that retain water and reduce evaporation are compost, wood chips and straw. 

Utilize a rainwater catchment system: Collect rainwater to use in the garden or your heating system. Many catchment systems today have a water filtration system installed to ensure the water is clean. Your state may even offer a tax incentive for installation. 

Plant drought-resistant plants: Rather than wasting tons of water keeping plants alive, decorate your lawn with drought-resistant plants and native species. Both of these plant options will require less upkeep to thrive. 

Sweep driveways: Rather than rinsing your driveway, try to use a broom instead. This method is so effective that cities such as Los Angeles require the action during droughts. 

Maintain your irrigation system monthly: It should go without saying but your lawn doesn’t need as much watering in the winter as it does in the summer. Check in on your irrigation system regularly to ensure you’re only using water that you need to. 

Found our post interesting? Check out also this article on how to conserve water by The Zebra. And for more related posts on water conservation activities and how to live life unplastic, follow our sustainable living blog.

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Home moving
HomeSustainability

16 Eco-Friendly Moving Tips

by Megan Kioulafofski
11 minutes read

Between the stacks of plastic bins, mounds of packing paper, rolls of bubble wrap, and takeout containers, moving homes is usually far from being an eco-friendly activity.

And while it may seem like a few moving boxes and some bubble wrap can’t have such a big environmental impact, when you multiply it by 30 million—the approximate number of annual moves in the USA, according to census data—you can see how it all adds up. 

Thankfully, the future of moving doesn’t have to be wasteful. For all those looking for how to live zero waste, the solution is to embrace simple and environmentally friendly moving practices that will cut down on waste. And as a bonus, these solutions can even help you save money.

If you want to make your next move eco-friendly, we recommend that you start with these simple, yet sustainable moving tips. 

Packing Material

Wondering what eco-friendly packing materials you could use for your green moving?

You can reduce the amount of plastic and paper you need for packing—or eliminate it altogether—by opting to use eco options instead.

Pack with Newspaper

Start saving newspapers and weekly flyers to pack your boxes. If you don’t get the newspaper yourself, ask friends or relatives to put some aside for you. 

Keep in mind that you will need quite a few of them since all sides of your box should be cushioned, and all gaps should be filled, to prevent shifting.

Use Egg Cartons

Egg cartons aren’t just great to hold eggs but they can also help the environment.

How? Use them to cushion boxes, or to create a barrier between items to keep them from rubbing together.

Cushion with Fabric

Another way to reduce your carbon footprint when moving, is by cushioning your boxes with clothing, sheets, linens, and towels. Fabric is a better shock absorber than paper, and chances are you have an abundance of them sitting right in your home. Plus, you have to pack these items anyway!

Wrap with Socks

Socks are particularly great for packing fragile items. They can be used to sleeve mugs, glasses, small figurines, etc. 

Cover with Blankets

For eco-friendly moving, skip the bubble wrap or the packing peanuts, and use a blanket to cover your furniture instead. If you are worried about your blankets getting damaged if used as furniture covers, you can also rent blankets from moving companies or select hardware stores. 

Alternatively, you may want to consider picking up a few at a thrift store for this purpose, and re-donate them when finished. 

Opt for Biodegradable or Recycled

If you still need extra box cushioning or wrapping material, opt for sustainable packing supplies. For example, another great eco-friendly moving tip is to swap out plastic tape for paper tape. 

Concerned about getting rid of bubble wrap? Look for a biodegradable version made from recycled plastic, or a cardboard alternative, like Hexcel. 

Can’t find sustainable options where you live, or on short notice? 

Don’t sweat it! Just get creative and reuse the packing material when your move is over, to make the most out of them.

Boxes

Cardboard boxes do not only contribute to the bulk of waste created during a move, but they can also be expensive to buy. 

Try these eco-friendly moving box ideas instead.

Rent Reusable Boxes

More movers than ever offer reusable moving box rental solutions now. These plastic totes are much sturdier than cardboard, and in many cases, they are also a cheaper option. You just need to rent them, use them for your move, then drop them off to your moving company.. 

From there on they are cleaned, and then the next customer gets to use them. This cycle continues about 100 times before the box wears out and gets recycled. 

Use What You Have

The most convenient, and affordable eco-friendly moving tip we have for you today is to recycle what you have.

Chances are you have items in your home that can make the perfect makeshift boxes.This may include reusable bags, laundry baskets, suitcases, gym bags, etc. 

Suitcases on wheels are particularly useful for moving books or other heavy possessions. That’s because they’re strong and can be rolled, eliminating some of the heavy lifting. 

Buy Used

If you still want cardboard boxes, look for used ones. U-Haul runs a Take a Box, Leave a Box program where customers can grab or drop-off boxes for free. 

You can also get used boxes from liquor stores, grocery stores, local retailers, online marketplaces, or swap and buy groups. 

Moving Day

You probably already have a million things on your moving day to-do list and adding more to that isn’t ideal. 

Luckily, there are many ways you can make a few eco-friendly changes that won’t require a lot of extra time or effort. 

Rent a Truck

Using a car to make multiple trips instead of renting a truck can add up not just in time, but also in emissions. Renting a truck and doing one load is often more fuel-efficient than multiple car trips. 

Look for Biodiesel

Trucks that run on biodiesel are more eco-friendly. The good news is that quite a few green moving companies now operate these types of trucks.

Pack Snacks

A quick tip if you are moving long-distance and you want to be more environmentally friendly is to take a few snacks on the road with you.This can help you eat healthier while you can also skip the waste that comes with fast food. 

And if you plan to stop for a coffee-to-go or a similar beverage, try to bring your own cup. These small swaps may not be at the forefront of your mind during your move, but every change makes a difference!

Moving In

You did it! You made it to your new home. 

But although you are finally on the homestretch, your eco-friendly moving doesn’t stop here. There is still cleaning and unpacking to do.

Clean Green

Before giving your new home a scrub down before unpacking, consider using a natural cleaner like vinegar. Vinegar is a multi-purpose cleaner that is safe for both kids and pets. Plus, it can often be mixed with a little baking soda to make a non-toxic scrub for tough jobs. 

Don’t like the smell of vinegar? 

Try making a scented vinegar cleaner. This can be done by leaving a few orange peels in the bottle or select herbs, depending on what smells you enjoy. 

Save Energy with Bulbs

Go through all the lightbulbs in the house and swap them out for LED bulbs. They are far more energy-efficient, don’t give off heat, and last a lot longer than incandescent bulbs.

Declutter

Keep a few empty boxes or bags for decluttering. As you unpack or in the coming weeks, you may find items that don’t mesh well with your new home or that you simply don’t need. Make sure to donate or sell these items instead of tossing them. 

Upcycle Boxes

If you did end up with some cardboard boxes, think outside of just recycling. You can fold them down, and save them for your next move. You can also give them away through an online marketplace, drop them off at U-Haul, or make arts and crafts with the kids. 

Final Word

Between a new home and new opportunities, moving offers a fresh start. 

So start this latest chapter of your life off on the right foot by making your moving as eco-friendly as possible. Whether that means using what you have on hand, renting reusable boxes, or finding the right kind of truck, every effort will make a difference for the sustainability of your move and the health of the Earth. 

Hope you found our post on eco-friendly moving tips helpful. 

Are you interested in discovering more zero-waste living tips and recommendations? Follow our sustainable living blog or contact us here!

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upcycling furniture
FeaturedHomeSustainability

Upcycling Furniture: How to Buy and Repurpose Used Furniture

by Megan Kioulafofski
9 minutes read

Upcycling Furniture: Why Should You?

Wondering why you should care about restoring and upcycling furniture?

The current system of throwing out old furniture only to be replaced by cheaply made items, is wreaking havoc on the environment. Inexpensive furniture actually comes at a very high price. Each year, 80 percent of the furniture and decor items Americans toss out, end up in landfills. To be more exact, that’s around 12 million tons of no longer wanted items. 

But a great deal of these design objects could have a new life either with their original owner, or in someone else’s home. You know what they say, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.

In this post, we highlight the main benefits of buying used furniture, and offer you suggestions on how to repurpose used items.  We will also outline some eco-friendly restoration tips as well as furniture upcycling ideas. 

So let’s dig in!

The Main Benefits of Buying And Repurposing Used Furniture

There are many reasons to not add that brand new piece of furniture to your shopping cart. 

Buying new furniture, particularly fast furniture, is not only harmful to the planet, but can also be an infringement on human rights. Plus, it’s often not actually even the cheapest or most convenient option for your pockets. 

Instead, consider the following advantages of upcycling furniture:

Less expensive

Once an item is no longer considered new, it loses a lot of its initial monetary value. However, that doesn’t mean it’s lost its value as an object! Although fast furniture is extremely cheap, by buying an antique piece you might spend even less money, and get a better quality. Plus, if you find the item locally, you can go pick it up yourself and avoid any additional shipping costs.

Supports your local economy

If you purchase an item of furniture produced in your neighbourhood, you are directly putting money back into your local economy. 

Supporting your neighbors, and helping your local economy become stronger, will directly benefit you. That’s because all of us do better when our community is doing better.

Higher quality products

Vintage furniture will not only cost you less money than fast furniture pieces, but in many cases, upcycled things will also be of higher quality. 

Fast furniture is not made to last. It’s made from cheap materials and it easily gets damaged. High quality new furniture however, is generally quite expensive, and out of reach for many people. To get more bang for your buck, buy a high quality used furniture piece, and repurpose it.

why its better to repurpose furniture

More sustainable

As previously mentioned, the furniture industry wreaks havoc on the planet. Not only are millions of tons of items discarded each year as waste, but furniture production causes a massive environmental impact. We are talking about deforestation, plastic production, and climate change among many others.

      • Deforestation: Buying new wooden items increases the demand for timber. Deforestation contributes to biodiversity loss, soil erosion, and 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. 
      • Plastic: The global plastic furniture market, which continues to grow, was valued at 11.9 billion in 2018. Plastic isn’t biodegradable and is made from fossil fuels. Additionally, each year, more than 20,000 tons of plastic are dumped into the ocean, polluting the water and injuring wildlife.
      • Climate change: In 2018, the U.S., was the leading importer of furniture in the world. Buying local used furniture or better yet repurposing an item you already have at home, can help lower your carbon footprint.

Doesn’t infringe on human rights

Furniture production can involve unfair wages or even child or forced labor. By upcycling furniture and refusing to spend money on products made by companies that aren’t employing fair practices, you are taking a stand against injustice.

Places to Buy Beautiful Used Furniture

places to get furniture for upcycling

If you are interested in upcycling furniture, there are many places, both online and in-person, where you can find wonderful, quality used furniture items for sale. 

Through online markets, such as Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp, you can find items listed for sale by people in your area.  Once you make an offer through the app, you can arrange to go see and pick up the items you chose to offer a breath of new life. 

You can, of course, find furniture the old fashioned way too. Visiting estate and yard sales, or thrift stores, is a great way to find used items.

Many companies are also offering furniture for rent now. This can be a nice option if you think you’ll be moving out in the short-term and you don’t want to lug heavy items to your new place. Renting furniture is also good for those not wanting to deal with selling old items, or those who don’t want to end up discarding perfectly good pieces.

Finally, a lesser known option for finding used furniture items is through hotels. When they renovate, many hotels sell their old furniture for extremely low prices. 

Tips for Restoring or Upcycling Used Furniture

how to repurpose furniture with zero voc paints

Wondering how to repurpose furniture?

Or what to do with an old table top?

If you have a furniture item you’re considering tossing, or if you find a used piece that doesn’t appear to be in great condition, think about whether or not restoring or upcycling that piece may be possible. With a fresh coat of paint or by breaking down the item and using it in a completely different way, you may be able to create something you love. 

Consider the following simple, eco-friendly DIY restoration tips and tricks for an used furniture item that just needs a little updating and freshening up:

      • Get scratches out using nuts: Nuts, such as walnuts, can be used to get rid of scratches and signs, fast and easy. The oil from the nut soaks into the wood, which causes scratches to fade.
      • Give it a fresh coat of paint or finish: Use natural paints and non-toxic finishes to give your used coffee table or cabinet a new look and feel.
      • Reupholster using sustainable fabric: Use a sustainable fabric, such as organic cotton or linen to reupholster an item!

If an item seems beyond restoring with just some basic tips and tricks, consider getting a little more creative. You may be able to upcycle it! 

Upcycling furniture, also known as creative reuse, is the process of transforming unwanted materials or items into new products. 

Here are a few ideas for upcycling to get your creative juices flowing:

  • Transform a desk into an end table: Turn the desk drawers vertically to create a small end or side table. 
  • Turn a crib into a bench: The sides of a baby’s crib can easily become the back of a bench.
  • Create a coat rack from a headboard: Secure the headboard of a bed to the wall and add hooks to make a coat rack.
  • Turn a dresser drawer into a dog bed: If the entire dresser isn’t salvageable, consider removing one or two of the drawers and add pillows and blankets to make a cozy, sustainable pet bed.

how to repurpose furniture

There is so much you can do with used furniture. By reinvesting in older pieces you can save money, invest in your community, and help protect the planet.

If you are just starting on your upcycling furniture journey, we hope our post will offer you some inspiration and ideas for your future projects. And for similar blog entries like this one, please visit our sustainable living blog.

The beautiful illustrations in this post are compliments of Apartment Guide.

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working from home
BusinessHomeSustainability

Staying Green While Working From Home During COVID-19

by Megan Kioulafofski
13 minutes read

For all of you preoccupied by sustainability and staying green while working from home, this post is for you.

There’s no getting away from the fact that COVID-19 has changed our lives. In a lot of countries, people must wear masks even when doing ‘normal’ things like shopping or enjoying a coffee at their local cafe. And for many of us, COVID-19 has also changed the way we work. 

These days, most of the employers are nervous about having their teams back in the office. That’s why working from home has been prioritized, where possible.

Surprisingly, many managers have reported that their staff’s productivity has gone up during the coronavirus quarantine! But that’s not the only interesting fact to note about working remotely.

From an environmental perspective, working from home has also boosted our motivation for staying green. Whether you realize it or not, conducting most of our work from home has positively impacted both the environment and our health. The air is cleaner, and we’re using more disinfectant than ever.

Here’s the evidence:

1. Working From Home Has Lowered Our Carbon Footprint

One of the biggest eco-friendly benefits of working from home, is a lower carbon footprint. That’s because many of us no longer drive to work each day, or use public transport for commuting. 

When the COVID-19 pandemic first took a grip on the world, many nations reported lower CO2 emissions. That was due to fewer vehicles being on the road. Did you know that India, for instance, reported less energy consumption and a drop in fossil fuel emissions for the first time in 37 years?

You might think that your personal carbon footprint is a small drop in the ocean compared to the world’s collective greenhouse gas problems. However, if more of us are lowering our carbon footprint, the ozone layer will be positively impacted too. 

Of course, doing less road mileage isn’t the only way we’re staying green during quarantine. Let’s face it. Due to the current situation, many of us are undoubtedly more anxious about spending time in public spaces. Especially areas frequented by many other people, such as groceries and department stores.

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that online shopping has grown significantly in the past few months. 

Luckily, these days, you can buy almost anything you need or want from the internet. From retailers to ophthalmologists, you can even purchase prescription eyeglasses from this website and have them sent by mail to your home address. Especially if you’re working on the computer all day, getting a pair of blue light blockers is a good idea. 

And when you’re hungry and in the mood for some take-out, your local restaurant is just a few taps away on your smartphone for near-instant delivery!

2. We’re Spending More Time Recycling Our Waste

Another advantage of working from home is that you don’t usually have to work set hours. Many employers only request their home-based staff to work a set number of hours each day, as they would while in the office.

That means you can do a few hours’ of workout in the morning, take a break in the afternoon, and continue working in the evening. As you can imagine, such flexibility is welcomed by many. Particularly when you’ve got small children that could distract you from your work.

As you work from home, your undoubtedly spending more time in your abode. And that’s giving you plenty of time to think about ways to improve your eco-friendly lifestyle and enhance the way you stay green at home. One such example of staying green when under lockdown is the way we choose to recycle our waste.

Most people lead hectic lives. Due to lack of time, many folks don’t always do the right thing and recycle their waste as much as possible. Yes, they might stop objects like paper from ending up in landfill sites. However, they might throw away other harder to recycle items such as plastic bags. 

Note: One way to avoid the hassle of using plastic bags (and having to find a way to recycle them) is to pick up a set of reusable shopping bags! 


If you have to spend a lot of time at home due to quarantine measures, improving your recycling processes should be on your to-do list. One way you can maximize your efforts is to create recycling ‘stations’ at home. This might encourage your family members also to join you in your mission.

According to the EPA, in 2017, Americans generated around 267.8 million tons of waste. Out of that waste, 67 million tons got recycled, and a further 27 million got composted. It’s good to know that most people are recycling in some way but going by the figures above, Americans only recycle around 35.1% of their trash. 

So there’s still plenty of work to do before reaching the stage where most of the waste gets recycled or repurposed. 

plastic waste at home

3. Our Paper Consumption Has Dropped Considerably

When you work in an office, most probably you need to print a lot of stuff out each day. There will be contracts, paperwork relating to customer orders, shipping labels, and so on.

Now that you’re working from home, one way you’re staying green is by consuming less paper. 

First of all, when working from home, physical storage space will be at a premium. And, quite frankly, even if that wasn’t the case, you don’t want boxes of paperwork in various parts of your home.

The second reason might well be down to data security. When you’re working with customer data in your home, there is seldom any provision to save and secure paper records. 

If your home has been broken into, or burnt down in a fire, that confidential information could either get stolen or turned into ashes. That’s something your boss isn’t willing to let happen.

Other than security, there’s also the technology aspect to consider. Ever since remote working became the norm, employers rely more on technology.

And some of the ways modern technology has helped reduce paper consumption include:

      • Database solutions. Thanks to advances in technology, there are now countless ways to transmit information from one location to another. Some database solutions offer a full end-to-end suite of services that both customers and suppliers use, especially during order creation and processing;
      • Electronic contracts. Gone are the days where you’d need customers to sign paper contracts. Digital contracts enable consumers and businesses to electronically sign documents using nothing more than their computers’ mice;
      • Shipping information. An increasing number of couriers don’t require senders to print out shipping documents such as manifests or air waybills. Shipping labels can get pre-printed by the courier and are given to the employees collecting the shipments to affix onto packages.

Thanks to these solutions, staying green has become a lot easier now. And as a result, our work-related paper consumption has also dropped significantly.

4. Less Food and Drink Packaging Waste

The majority of us are purchasing food and drinks every day when going to the office. Once consumed, these food packages usually get thrown in the trash cans under the desk. It’s not an unrealistic assumption to make that many of us don’t even give a second thought to the amount of plastic packaging waste we’re creating. But, now that many of us are working from home, such generated waste has dropped to extremely low levels.

When working from home, you will mostly prepare meals and hot drinks using your eco-friendly kitchen ingredients. There are no sandwich boxes to throw away and we’re using reusable cups and mugs for our coffee.

staying green by eating at home

For many people, the shift to working from home will undoubtedly make them think about staying green by not creating a ton of single-use waste. And if you’re nodding your head in agreement, you’re probably thinking about all the packaging waste you have generated in the past!

The trouble with many employers today is that they seldom have any in-office recycling facilities. Sure, they might have paper recycling points available for employees to use. But, those are typically only for documents rather than paper food packaging.

5. We’ve Turned Into Green Thumbs

Since the pandemic started, we’ve noticed that everyone is starting to grow their own plants and vegetables from home. Not only is this great for the environment, it’s great for your health, and your wallet too!

By eating home-grown food, you save money on your monthly grocery bills, and you are putting healthy, organic food into your body. Gardens also help the environment by reducing air and noise pollution, filtering the groundwater, minimizing your carbon footprint, and providing a home (and food) source for various animals and insects.

staying green at home growing vegetables

Gardening has to be one of the most prominent activities in 2020, even those who have never managed their own garden before getting excited about their plant babies growing big and producing a beautiful bounty. What’s not to love?

Our Final Word On Staying Green

Whether people like to admit it or not, the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the way we conduct our daily lives. And one of these major changes is the need to work from home.  

Now that winter is a mere few weeks away, there’s no sign of things returning back to pre-COVID times. For you, that will most likely mean you will have to spend a few more months working from your home.

And although most of us would like things to just get back to normal, there are still some positives to take away from remote working. 

For a start, we are now heading towards a greener lifestyle. Plus, the extra flexibility means we’ve got more time to spend with our families. Especially if you’ve got young children in tow!

Thank you for reading today’s article on staying green while working from home! For similar posts like this and more tips on living eco-friendly, make sure you follow our sustainable living blog.

And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us or leave a comment below!

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rainwater catchment system
BackyardHomeSustainability

7 Benefits of Rainwater Catchment Systems

by Megan Kioulafofski
6 minutes read

Are you preoccupied by saving water and protecting the environment?

A rainwater catchment system might be exactly what you are looking for!

And if you are wondering why we decided to discuss rain collecting barrel ideas and the importance of saving water, it’s because water is one of the most precious commodities in the world. 

Next to air, water is an essential element for preserving life on Earth. And although it covers 71% of the world’s surface, not all water is also suitable for human consumption. Unfortunately, the leftover percentage which is drinkable, is slowly but surely running out. 

Curious to hear some interesting facts regarding water?

    • There are 326 million cubic miles of water on the planet
    • Out of those, only 3% of the earth’s water is fresh
    • And just 0.5 % of the earth’s freshwater is also available.

The rest of it is either locked up in glaciers, atmosphere or soil, or it’s highly polluted. Some of it is found way too far under the earth’s surface to be extracted at an affordable cost.

So when left with just 0.5% of available fresh water, that initial 71% doesn’t look so promising anymore, does it?

The majority of us are so used to having water at our disposal, that it’s easy to forget how precious this resource actually is.

Especially in first world countries, we certainly take water for granted. We spend a long time in the shower, we leave the water running when brushing our teeth, and water the gardens all through the summer months. 

However, in recent years, droughts have been more common than flooding. And this has sparked many people’s interest in looking at environmental friendly practices of collecting rainwater with the help of water catchment systems.

Given that it falls freely from the sky, rainwater is often overlooked as a source we can save, use, and reuse. But catching and saving rainwater has been done for centuries and there are many benefits to this practice. Even more when you learn just how to save it. 

Let’s look at both!

Why Use A Rainwater Catchment System To Collect Rainwater?

Using a water catcher is so easy to do. But why should you? 

Here are some of the top reasons to use a water catchment system for collecting rain water at home:

    • The whole house can benefit from the rainwater collected in barrels. You can use it in the garden, through your hot water heating system, or in the kitchen for cleaning hands and surfaces. You can even use it to flush the toilet. 
    • Many people wrongly assume that captured water is safe to drink regardless. But it’s not exactly the case. Rainwater can easily get contaminated by pollutants and chemicals. So if you are also wondering whether it is okay to drink rainwater from the sky, yes, but only with the right filters!
    • By collecting rainwater you may help prevent flooding and erosion in your neighbourhood caused by water runoff. If your subdivision doesn’t have retention ponds (they should!), these can help you manage stormwater successfully. And since common efforts can produce bigger results, you could even get the whole neighbourhood involved in your water conservation efforts.
    • If you’re having hard water issues, rainwater will help. It’s an excellent source of soft water!

I’m sure many of you are wondering now how long can you keep rainwater for.

A long time actually! But it all depends what you plan on using the saved water on.

Water for the household, or for watering the flowers can be stored indefinitely. For human ingestion you should not keep it for more than two years tops.

water catchment system for rainwater harvesting

How Does a Rainwater Catchment System Work?

There are several ways to collect rainwater and various rainwater collection systems. From basic homemade barrels to complex manufactured commercial products, each one comes with its own utility and benefits.

Here are some of the most efficient rainwater collectors:

A water harvesting system is a great option in many situations. That’s because these systems usually include huge water tanks that can hold up to 10,000 gallons of water. They have filtration and pumping systems installed, and they can be used for anything (garden, bathroom water, drinking water, etc).

For those of you wondering about “How do you build a water catchment system?”, one of the best solutions is to make one from white oak. The wood cells of this type of oak contain tyloses, a plastic-like substance which makes white oak one of the most durable woods out there. Did you know that this type of wood is also waterproof? With so many wonderful properties, no wonder white oak wood is commonly used in ship construction, barrels and buttons. 

Barrels are the most common option for capturing rainwater for families. You don’t need much, just a couple of clean 50-gallon barrels under the drainpipes of the roof. You can even add debris filters so you can get rid of any gunk.

Rainwater tarps are a good option for collecting rainwater too. They act as a water-collection surface, and you can tarp trap on a small hill and dig a shallow trench to put your tarp. This will collect the rain for you nicely!

Thinking of using a rainwater catchment system after reading our post? Great choice!

No matter if you decide on the most basic homemade barrel or the most sophisticated system on the market, saving water is a great decision we should all take.

For more environmentally friendly ideas and how to live zero waste inspiration, keep following our sustainable living blog!

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