Living sustainably is more important than ever so we can reduce our waste and carbon emissions as well as protect our environment. Luckily, you can increase your sustainability in small ways, one step at a time.

Here’s a checklist of the small things that you can do on a daily basis to ensure that you live more sustainably in Swan Hill. By just simply adopting as many of these small steps, together we can all make a difference.

Ways that you can reduce your energy consumption

  • Shop locally whenever you can. If you live close to local shops, consider walking or riding a bicycle instead of taking the car.
  • Turn off lights and appliances once you’ve finished using them. Better still, unplug any appliances that you’re not using because they still consume a little power when they’re plugged in. Turn your modem off overnight if you can.
  • Replace any outdated lights with LED ones as these use far less energy. Also ensure that you remove any dust from your light fittings so that they work effectively.
  • Use the fresh air to dry your clothes rather than the dryer. Your clothes will smell fresher and you’re conserving energy at the same time. In cold, rainy weather, place an airer near your heater or fireplace to dry clothes naturally.
  • If you can, invest in solar panels. These will not only reduce the cost of your electricity but use a natural, sustainable resource (the sun) to provide your energy.
  • Another way to use the energy from the sun is by creating a thermal mass outside your windows. Place some bricks or large rocks on the windowsills of windows that get the sun during winter. The bricks will absorb the heat from the sun and can then release their stored heat to warm your rooms after the sun has gone down.
  • Use cold water to wash your clothes. This means that you’re not using energy to heat the water and has one of the biggest impacts for energy consumption.
  • Make sure that you have the thermostat on your air conditioning or heating set to 21 degrees. This helps to regulate the temperature and means that your heating appliances aren’t working harder than they should.
  • Eliminate draughts in winter by using draught stoppers on your doors and applying seals around your windows.
  • Wear an extra jumper in winter rather than turning the heating up.
  • Open your windows in summer to let more air flow through, especially in the evenings when the temperature has dropped. This is more energy efficient than running the air conditioning constantly.
  • In winter, install thermal-backed curtains or blinds on your windows to help keep the heat in. You’d be amazed at how much heat can be lost through the glass panes on a cold day.
  • Holiday closer to home if you need a break. There are so many lovely areas around Swan Hill that you’ve probably not even discovered yet.

Use water wisely to reduce your consumption

  • Collect your own water by installing a water tank.
  • In summer, place a bucket in the shower while you’re using it. The water that you collect can be used on the garden or for cleaning.
  • If your air conditioning unit has an outlet outside, you will be amazed at how much water the unit takes from the air. Instead of wasting this water, place a bucket under the outlet hose and use the collected water on your garden.
  • Remember to turn off the tap while you’re brushing your teeth. This saves an enormous amount of water.
  • The grey water that comes out of your washing machine is another resource that you can use on the garden, but sparingly, as too much can mean a build-up of salts in soil.

Reduce your waste in small ways every day

  • Consider buying detergents, soaps, shampoos, conditioners and body washes in bulk rather than smaller containers. Then, decant them into attractive bottles that can you often find in any $2 shop or department store.
  • Think about buying recycled toilet paper made from bamboo or recycled paper. WhoGivesACrap is an Australian company who will deliver toilet paper to your door. In addition, they send 50% of their profits to developing countries to provide toilets and clean water to people who don’t have this luxury.
  • By now we should all be taking our own shopping bags when we go out shopping. This helps to reduce plastic waste.
  • Drink tap water or install or buy a water purifier (like Brita) to avoid buying bottles of water.
  • Use bamboo toothbrushes instead of plastic ones. Bamboo is a renewable resource that is natural and will break down, unlike plastic.
  • Use a keep-cup for your morning takeaway coffee.
  • Don’t throw out your coffee grounds. These can be added to your compost or applied to the soil around acid-loving plants. Remember to let the grounds age, though, or the acid will burn your plant roots.

Can we help with your Swan Hill home?

We’re full of great ideas on how you can live more sustainably in Swan Hill, so why not give us a call on 03 5032 2507. We’re here to help.

Tags: 25 ways to live sustainablyLive sustainably swan hillSave energySave water in swan hill

Ray White Swan Hill

Cameron Smits and Fiona Hawley have been leading sales agents for a decade. Offering the full gamut of property services, including home sales, property management and commercial property services in Swan Hill (and nearby towns like Lake Boga and Murray Downs), they and their staff are exceptionally professional, forward-thinking and down to earth. Give them a call for up to date property market insights.