Reducing waste and recycling used materials has become more widely practiced in the last decade, and for good reason. Protecting the environment and helping save our ecosystem is essential, and at Vintage Harvest, we understand the importance of sustainability, conserving our resources, and using recycled materials. We want to share ways you can join us in practicing a more sustainable lifestyle in your home and community!
- Save Your Energy and Water
A great place to start when practicing sustainability in your home is conserving your energy and water use. Turning off your lights and water taps when not in use stops the waste of water and energy. Turning down your heat during the winter when you are gone or bumping up your AC a few degrees in the summer can be a great way to minimize energy usage as well. You can also purchase energy-efficient appliances and LED light bulbs to cut down on energy usage.
- Stop Using Plastic and Paper
Instead of picking up a single-use plastic water bottle or purchasing paper plates, buy reusable items. By using reusable bags, containers, plates, and utensils, you can cut back on the amount of plastic thrown away each year.
In addition, minimizing paper usage in your home can be a simple way to make a difference. Most credit card and utility companies offer paperless billing options. Check with your providers and find out how you can switch to paperless billing.
- Drive Less
Instead of driving everywhere, try walking or biking when things are close by. Not only will you be able to get some extra exercise, but it also cuts down on car emissions and saves gas. If a location is too far to walk or bike, consider using public transportation instead.
- Don’t Waste Food
Instead of throwing food away after you are done, save it for leftovers for the next day. Now you will have an easy lunch for tomorrow and cut down on trash. You can also start a compostable pile and grow your own food in a garden with what you composted.
- Wear Sustainable Clothing
Instead of purchasing new clothes every couple of weeks, try to reuse or repurpose old clothes or donate clothing items you no longer want instead of throwing them away. You can also research brands that make sustainable clothing made with cotton instead of plastic pieces, which is better for the environment and landfills.
- Reuse Items
Instead of buying new items all the time, try visiting a thrift store or an antique shop. Not only will you find some amazingly unique items, but you are also cutting down on resources being used.
Sustainability is important to us at Vintage Harvest, which is why all our wood is reused, refurbished, and repurposed from old barns that are no longer being used. If we didn’t salvage and repurpose this wood, it would be burned, buried, or added to landfills. Check out our sustainability process and visit our website if you are interested in using reclaimed barn wood in one of your projects!