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Going green is a financial decision centered around reducing utility bills and saving money long term for some homeowners. But many of us want to reduce our home’s carbon footprint for another reason: the environment.

Whether you’re trying to save money or live more sustainability, you’ll need to make a slight mindset shift. Maybe it’s more convenient to buy the cheapest laundry detergent when you’re out shopping—or to throw your food scraps in the trash. To effectively reduce your home’s impact on the environment, you’ll need to do more than use less energy—being sustainable requires becoming aware of your energy usage and considering your choices’ environmental impacts. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Swap out your cleaning products.

We all want our home to be healthy, clean, and well-maintained. Although using cleaning products helps us keep our home free of dust, allergens, and germs, they significantly impact the environment, leading to water pollution, air pollution, harmful chemicals, and waste.

To reduce your home’s carbon footprint, try swapping out your cleaning products for greener alternatives. For example, ditching your detergent pods in favor of green laundry detergent eco-strips can help you take advantage of a paraben-free, phosphate-free, bleach-free, dye-free, and hypoallergenic cleaning formula.

As the best eco-friendly laundry detergent, every TruEarth eco-strip comes with pre-measured liquid laundry detergent, so all you have to do is toss it in the machine. Plus, you won’t have to worry about wasting detergent every time you do a load of laundry.

Compost your leftovers.

An easy way to reduce your home’s environmental impact is to reduce the amount of trash you send to the landfill. When given a chance, food waste like banana peels, eggshells, and coffee grounds decomposes quickly. However, when food waste is sent to the landfill, it’s sealed away from the oxygen and important decomposers that allow it to compose. As a result, most of the food waste sent to landfills turns into methane.

To start composting, you can buy a compost bin for your backyard. Alternatively, you can check whether your city allows you to drop off your food waste. Some major cities, including Portland, Seattle, Denver, and San Francisco, will even pick up your food scraps curbside.

Invest in energy-efficient appliances.

From your heating and cooling system to your desktop, your home relies on countless energy-intensive appliances. Although energy-efficient appliances might seem like a significant investment, they can help reduce your home’s environmental impact and lower your utility bills over time.

For instance, as one of the most energy-intensive appliances in the home, refrigerators can be expensive energy hogs due to inefficient cooling systems. According to Energy Star, fridges over 10 years old cost homeowners almost $5 billion in utility fees. By replacing your outdated refrigerator with a newer, more energy-efficient model, you’ll be able to save hundreds of dollars in utility fees over the lifetime of your new fridge.

Review your electricity plan.

Many homeowners have seen rising electricity bills within the last year between spending more time at home, buying new gadgets, and rising electricity prices. To avoid increases in your electric rates in 2021, start by reviewing your electricity plan and comparing your current plan with other energy providers. Although there’s no “one-size-fits-all” electricity plan, using a service like iSelect to compare electricity can help you find the plan that best suits your individual needs.

To find the best electricity plan for your budget, the energy experts at iSelect recommend asking yourself how many people live in your home, whether or not your home maintains temperature well, and what type of connections are available at your address. Additionally, consider doing some in-depth research to determine which energy suppliers in your zip code are the most environmentally responsible.

All in all, making changes to your home can significantly impact the planet and our energy bills. Whether you’re interested in saving money or the environment, taking small steps to be greener at home can help you make better choices for the environment and adopt a more sustainable lifestyle.