Reduce Your Carbon Footprint With Individual Changes
We all know that reducing our negative impact on the planet is needed. With around 22% of all carbon emissions in the UK coming from our own households, there is a lot we can do as individuals to minimise our carbon footprint. From heating, appliance use, and household lighting, to travel choices and how we shop, much of our daily lifestyle can effect the size of our carbon footprint, and evaluating changes we can make to our habits can make a big difference.
At Flexispot, we know that all round wellbeing is essential for happiness – from a comfortable workspace to good mental wellbeing, physical health, and a safe and clean environment. Supporting a planet-friendly lifestyle often makes for better mental and physical health thanks to a more conscientious mindset, so taking steps to reduce your carbon footprint helps you, as well as the environment.
We’ve put together our top tips to help you reduce your carbon footprint and live better. Whatever your budget or lifestyle, you can make a difference to the environment and improve your lifestyle with the planet in mind.
Flexispot's Top Tips to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint At Home
Manage Your Heating Controls
One of the simplest places to start in reducing your carbon footprint is by taking control of your heating. What many people may not know, is that you don't have to make a big change at all to start making a difference.
Using a boiler timer or programmer, if you have one, can be a great step in maintaining a comfortable temperature, without churning out extra heat – and energy - to warm up a home that's gotten too cold. Smart heating controls are also often included with electric storage heaters in more recent times, which can help manage heating without releasing excess carbon. Draught-proofing can also help insulate your home better and ensure less heat is lost.
Low-Energy Lighting
A modern LED bulb uses 80-90% less energy than a traditional light bulb, and making the swap to more energy efficient lightbulbs could be a great step in reducing your energy consumption and lowering your carbon footprint.
Making adjustments to your workspace and living spaces to optimise access to natural light can also minimise your need for electric lighting in the home. If you work from home and have the option to orientate your desk around a large, bright window, this can help boost your productivity and reduce your lighting bill – in turn, decreasing your carbon footprint.
Low Carbon Travel
Many of us see travel as a daily neccessity, often having to use public transport or drive to reach our destination. There are a few lifestyle changes you could consider that could help minimise the carbon emitted from your travel choices.
Cycling or walking to your destination could be a great choice for minimising your carbon footprint, as well as improving your physical and mental health. Of course, this could considerably lengthen your journey, or not be possible for your needs.
If you commute daily to work, you could also explore the possibility to work from home. Following the pandemic, many of us have discovered quite how possible it is to work from home and even contact colleagues whilst dialling in remotely. As more and more companies explore working from home or hybrid working as a permanent workplace offer, this could be a great way to help reduce your carbon footprint from reduced travel.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Aside from individual energy usage, the products we buy and use each have their own carbon footprint thanks to the processes in making and transporting that item to your home.
Shopping mindfully – from the food shop, to cleaning products, technology, and clothing – is a great first step in reducing the carbon footprint generated from your purchases. Reducing the one time use products you buy and reusing items where you can help lessen the impact of your possessions, as well as recycling as much as possible. Consider, for instance, using refillable cleaning product options or biodegradable cleaning items instead on one-time plastic purchases, or shop for clothes second-hand. Check with your local authority to determine how and where to recycle your waste in your area.
Taking Steps to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Lifestyle changes can go a long way to reduce your carbon footprint, and exploring your options could uncover some efforts you had not yet thought of. From energy usage, to your shopping choices and workplace setting, there's a lot to look at. If you would like to consider what working from home might look like for you amongst your carbon footprint reduction options, take a look at our extensive range of ergonomic office furniture built with home working in mind. It could be all the inspiration you'll need!
