Living a more sustainable lifestyle begins where we spend most of our time – in the home. There are many little things that we can do to play a small part in leaving the planet in a better condition for our children and grandchildren.Here are some handy hints to help you create a more sustainable home. Pick one for this year and make it your focus!
Start using a compost bin – or make your own.
The benefits of composting are twofold: the waste you produce doesn’t end up in a plastic bag in a landfill; and it’s great for your garden or flower beds, alleviating the need to go out and buy chemical fertilizers. Not only is this better for the environment, but it also saves you money.
So much of what we use can be composted: coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable scraps, grass and leaves, newspapers – the list goes on. To find out more about creating your compost, pop down to Bunnings in Leopold, a short 20-minute drive from The Point.
Go reusable.
Much of what we use at home doesn’t degrade over time. Every time we use a new plastic bag, it can sit in a landfill for decades before it fully degrades. Reusable canvas/fabric bags are a great solution because not only are they more robust and less prone to damage, they also degrade much more quickly.
Choosing reusable glassware to store your food, and reusable drink bottles also make a huge difference in reducing your footprint at home. Needless to say, the amount of money you save by choosing multi-use items instead of single-use also goes a long way.
Use energy efficiently
This one slips under the radar. It might seem like a single home wouldn’t contribute much but the majority of our household appliances directly affect CO2 output which impacts the environment. There are a few key things you can do which will make a difference though:
When it’s time to upgrade your appliances, check the EnergyStar rating and make that a priority
Wash your clothes in cold rather than hot water
Unplug devices that you’re not using
Only turn on lights when you’re actually in the room
The Point Sustainability.
Sustainability is a priority at The Point, and we are proud to have been announced as the 2020 Winner of the UDIA Environmental Excellence Award and The Judges’ Award for Regional Victoria. We have worked hard to achieve a nationally recognised accreditation of Enviro Development in all six areas of Ecosystems, Waste, Energy, Materials, Water and Community.
The Point features a 56-hectare nature reserve, providing habitat for local fauna and migratory birds. It is built around a network of existing waterways that have been enhanced and preserved to protect native fauna and foster the growth of native plants and grasses.
