Produce less trash and feel better. Being more sustainable and producing less waste is more than possible. When it comes to sustainability, many people may think it is a distant concept. However, avoiding household Waste is also a form of social and environmental awareness. Taking steps to save money and not waste resources makes a big difference not only in household bills, but also helps reducing damage to the environment.

What are the losses of household waste? When you use on water, you are using some of the little that is left on the planet. A global water crisis is not a distant danger and it is not only through the open tap that this precious good is wasted. More than 60% of the water taken from natural reservoirs is used in agriculture for irrigation. When you let Food spoil, you are also throwing away the water that was used in the production process.

In addition to these aspects, there is the household waste of energy. Its excessive consumption causes several damages to the environment. For example:

– hydroelectric river rams modify ecosystems, impacting the existence of countless species;

– coal or natural gas thermoelectric plants pollute the air, causing greenhouse effect, acid rain and impairing breathing;

– biomass thermoelectric plants occupy soil that could be used for food production and favor deforestation;

– nuclear power plants produce radioactive waste and carry the risk of very serious accidents.

Some of the following tips may already be old, but it’s always good to remember them and strengthen the commitment to put each one into practice. All of them are simple, do not require high expenses or change your lifestyle dramatically. Let’s see together this guide to creating less waste and feel better!

• Do not open the tap too much to wash the dishes

Who says it takes a strong jet power to get the dirt off the plates? The effort is much more in using detergent and sponge than in the water itself. Little more than a trickle of water is enough to rinse the dishes. So try to open the faucet only as necessary.

• Remove food scraps before cleaning dishes

To ease the process (and make it more hygienic), a simple – but good – tip is to remove food scraps before doing the dishes. With a sponge or paper towel, pre-clean the dishes directly over the trash bin. This avoids prolonging washing and saves water. Best of all, it eliminates the passage of waste to the pipes and reduces the risk of clogging.

• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth

How many times have you heard this? Careful tooth brushing takes time and can be very wasteful. To get an idea, the average flow rate of a faucet is 9 liters per minute, so it takes just 10 minutes for 90 liters of treated water to be literally thrown away.

• Be careful about water use in the bath

If a single faucet can use an astonishing amount of water, think about what a shower can do! Making wise use of the time spent under a running shower is even more important. Do not leave your shower on while soaping or washing your hair. Also, try to control the maximum time of your bath. It only takes 15 minutes under the shower for 135 liters of water to drain down the drain.

• Make a list of what is missing before shopping

Before you go shopping, it is worth checking the refrigerator, pantry and cabinets to see what is still in stock and what needs to be replaced. If you buy too much, you may end up with multiple expired or damaged items.

• Do not put too much food on the plate

Better to replate than to leave food on the plate. This is a phrase that many mums say wisely. Teach your family to put a smaller amount of food on the plate. This is very important as it helps to avoid household waste.

• Prepare food in advance

A smart habit is to prepare noodles, rice, and beans for various meals, and to store leftovers in glass jars in the refrigerator. Thus, you avoid using the stove many times, leaving leftover food in the pans and doing the dishes more times than you need.

• Reuse what’s in the fridge

Speaking of prepared food, a frequent problem for families is to let things in the fridge spoil. Instead of preparing new dishes, how about reusing what’s ready? There are several simple and delicious recipes made from rice, meat, chicken and other items from the day before.

• Prioritize fruit and vegetable consumption

In this process of not letting food spoil, remember to prioritize fruit and vegetable consumption. Because they spoil so quickly, it is only a short time before that appetizing apple and fresh lettuce begin to wilt. So try to consume these foods quickly, whether in juices, sandwiches or salads.

• Do not leave the TV on!

A lot of people like to leave the TV on without even paying attention to the programming. This can greatly impact the electric bill at the end of the month.

• Check the lights before bedtime

Sleeping with the light on is a habit that is not good for your health or your pocket. Before going to bed, take a walk around the house and make sure all interior and exterior lights are off.

• Change lamps for more economical models

The yellow lamps are the so-called incandescent ones. They, among all models, are the ones that consume the most energy. Replacing them with other more economic models is a great way to reduce consumption without modifying the routine.

• Unplug appliances

This is a practice that reduces energy expenditure and the risk of domestic accidents. This is because even if the devices are not being used, there is still transmission of electrical current through the socket. Also, leaving them off prevents damage from surges in the electric current.

This is a simple guide to creating less waste and feel better! There are many things that can be done to revolutionize your day and also bring benefits to the planet and your family. Do not forget! Each of us can contribute to reduce damages to the environment, create a more sustainable agriculture and a world with less household waste.