Tropicana September-October 2022 #144 The Home Issue

TROPICANA MAGAZINE
GREEN
LIVING TIPS
Sustainable and eco-friendly living is possible if you
make the proper changes, and here are some pointers
Compost scraps By composting your
food scraps, you can drastically cut
the amount of greenhouse gases
created by landfills. Keep a small bin
just for scraps of food, and make your
own compost. Use it as a natural nontoxic
fertiliser in your garden.
Purify the air If you want to improve
the air quality in your bedroom,
consider a snake plant, which
releases oxygen at night. Weeping
figs are the best plant for eliminating
formaldehyde generated by carpets
and furniture, making them suitable
for living areas. Peace lilies grow
well in high-humidity rooms and can
minimise the mould spores in the air,
making them perfect for bathrooms.
Go natural Instead of using
cleaning products that are loaded
with chemicals that pollute the
environment, try using natural
alternatives. Baking soda, lemon
juice, and white vinegar are all
examples of mild cleaners that are
not only harmless to the environment
but also to pets and other animals.
Utilise leftovers Use up any leftover
cooked meals. Make a smoothie
out of any remaining fruit, and use
any leftover vegetables in a soup,
vegetable bake, or frittata for breakfast
the following day. Stock can be made
from a variety of ingredients, including
bones and vegetable trimmings.
Preserve your greens Here’s how to
extend the shelf life of your leafy greens,
carrots, and potatoes: Carrots should be
stored in a jar of water, greens should
be wrapped in a napkin to absorb
excess moisture, and potatoes should
be placed in a cool dry spot, away from
onions.
Buy fair trade Much of what we
consume daily is imported from all
over the world, including coffee, tea,
chocolate, vegetables, and fruits.
Before you buy, look for the fairtrade
certification. The certification
demonstrates environmentally friendly
products that are cultivated or made
using sustainable methods, and that
locals are given fair prices and wages
for the goods and services.
Plant your own fruits, veggies, and
herbs Nothing beats the satisfaction
of walking out to your own garden and
gathering the ingredients you require
right there. It’s not only fresh, flavourful,
and clean, but it also generates very
little waste.
Buy wisely Food waste is a global
problem, and organic waste in landfills
contributes to the release of methane.
What you can do to help is keep track
of what you have in your pantry and
fridge, and create a precise shopping
list, so you don’t end up purchasing
duplicate or unnecessary items.
Upcycle Using your “stuff” for longer
without making any adjustments,
consuming less to reduce waste, or
upcycling using only already existing
materials that might otherwise be
thrown away are all simple ways to live
more sustainably. Many items, from
furniture to clothing, can be upcycled,
repurposed or restored. Put your
creative skills to use, and we guarantee
you will have a good time!
Change or clean air filters Did you
know that the air conditioner is the
most energy-intensive appliance in
your home? And when its filters are
dirty, it requires even much power than
usual. To save energy, clean or replace
dirty filters as recommended.
103