HOUSEHOLD

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HOW DOES MY HOUSEHOLD MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

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Because of INCREASED CONSUMPTION and PACKAGING, the annual municipal solid waste generation is growing - in the US, it has increased by 73% since 1980.
PLASTIC WASTE is a huge problem, with 320 million tons of plastic produced globally (which is set to double by 2034). Plastic is polluting the environment, the water and threatening the wildlife. Household consumption and waste management contributes to this problem.
There is an enormous WASTE OF FOOD due to overproduction and lack of distribution, with the total food waste in the UK totalling 10.2 million tonnes per year. While most waste comes from the manufacturers, households contribute to this enormous number too.
In the UK, the ENERGY CONSUMPTION (on the whole) increased by 1.1% in 2018, to the highest levels since 2013. Households need to be conscious of their energy use in order to lower the total energy consumption.
The WATER USAGE of the households in the West are generally on the rise, with an average UK household using 164 m3 per year.

5 THINGS TO BE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT:

There are now many efforts to reduce both plastic and food waste by individuals, government structures and private businesses. Governments are funding projects and many initiatives to tackle this issue.
RECYCLING IS ON THE RISE! In 2015, 34.7% of municipal solid waste generated in the US was recovered for recycling or composting - 2.7 times the amount diverted in 1990. There is still a point in recycling, even though the main focus should be to reduce the waste produced in the first place.
New understanding of a holistic approach to sustainability gives people better idea of how to employ sustainable efforts in their homes.
There have been large efforts to lower the energy consumption of households, both through structural plans and individual action. The UK government has installed around 2.8 million measures to lower energy used in around 2.1 million properties and has set a target to upgrade the energy efficiency of around one million more homes over the five years to April 2020.
Due to growing demand, it is now more easily available to find proper sustainable alternatives for your home (such as water saving shower heads, biodegradable sponges etc.).

What changes can I make?

1. Switch over some household products! Companies like smol offer sustainable kitchen and bathroom product subscriptions at a great price. You can alter your subscription at any time and clean easy knowing that you're being a bit greener and maybe saving some money!

2. Get a smart meter for your house or flat

Smart meters are a great way to monitor your energy usage, saving you money and the planet. Keeping track of your energy usage makes it easier to reduce it where you can, meaning less CO2 is coming from your household

3. Repurpose and reuse!

When furniture or other items in your home break it can be easy to just buy a replacement and throw away the old. Why not strap on some DIY gloves and have a go and repairing any broken items, or see if you can repurpose them? Check out this website to find all sorts of repurposing your trash and turning it into treasures!

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