The world is currently facing some serious issues because of how we live. We are using up our resources at an alarming rate and are leaving behind a lot of damage. The effects of climate change are noticed all over the globe, and we need to do something about it. There are some quick steps to encourage your friends and family to practice eco-friendly habits. You can start by talking about the importance of being green at home or work. Then, you can use this opportunity to teach them about the benefits of sustainable living.  

You could also make a plan with your loved ones on how they could reduce their carbon footprint by making small changes in their daily routine. More than 50% of Indian households' wastage comes from the kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of every Indian household. It is where we spend most of our time and cook our meals, but most of us do not know that it's also one of the dirtiest places in the home. From plastic containers, cutlery, and storage to our take-away food containers, we are damaging our health and the environment in the long run. Some quick switches in the kitchen like reusing plastic bottles or alternative plastic garbage bags with compostable bags can enlighten the eco-friendly culture.  

Some eco-friendly switches to reduce kitchen wastage: 

Reduce plastic use:  

Plastic bags, containers, and jars are among the most harmful materials to the environment. Even though it's easy to use, it has a devastating effect on the environment. It takes hundreds of years to decompose, but it also causes pollution and harm to wildlife. An ideal way to reduce plastic use is by avoiding single-use plastics like straws and plastic garbage bags from your daily routine. For example, use reusable bottles instead of buying bottled water every day, and bring your coffee cup instead of buying one every time you go out. You can make an alternative and eco-friendly choice with TheBetterHome's bio-degradable garbage bags that consists of Poly Lactic Acid. Also, avoid eating out as much as possible so that you don't have to dispose of so many paper napkins, plastic cutlery, etc., which would otherwise clog drains or landfills. 

Avoid Excessive Wastage: 

If you need to discard a product still in good condition: 

1. Share it with friends and family or donate it to a charity shop. 

1. Use cloth napkins instead of paper towels when dining at home. 

1. Cut down on your energy usage by switching off appliances when not in use; this helps reduce unnecessary wastage of electricity and water. 

1. When buying new appliances such as fridges, washing machines etc., look for ones with low wattage ratings for better savings on your electricity bill. 

Use Natural Detergents: 

Here are some natural alternatives that you can use to keep your kitchen clean: 

1. Vinegar

Vinegar is a great disinfectant and leaves behind no odour at all. It is an excellent deodoriser and can be used on almost any surface in your home. For example, you can mix it with baking soda to create a paste for cleaning your oven and tiles. 

2. Lemon Juice:

Lemon juice also works like vinegar by removing stains from your sink or countertop. It also helps remove tough stains from wooden surfaces such as chopping boards and butcher blocks. If you want to start using lemon juice for cleaning your house, here are some tips: 

3. Baking Soda:

Baking soda is an effective cleaner that can be used on almost any surface in the kitchen, including your refrigerator, stovetop, sink, faucets, oven and fridge. Sprinkle some baking soda on the areas that need to be cleaned and wipe it off with a damp cloth or sponge. 

Compost leftover veggies, fruits, and peels: 

 Composting allows for recycling organic materials, such as food scraps, plant trimmings and yard waste. It is an excellent way to reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfills. All vegetable scraps, eggshells, and fruit peels can be gathered in a clay pot and used as a rich homemade fertiliser for your plants or kitchen/terrace garden. Composting helps reduce waste going to landfills which requires space and releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. 

Shop Seasonal fruits and veggies: 

Seasonal foods are often more nutritious than their out-of-season counterparts because they are at their peak ripeness during harvest time. They provide Vitamin C, potassium and other nutrients that help fight disease. In addition to being healthier for you, eating seasonally can help reduce food waste. Food waste is a global problem, with an estimated 1/3 of all food produced worldwide going to waste every year. This means roughly 1/3 of the world's water use goes towards growing crops that will never be eaten.  

Go Green: 

There are various types of house plants that you can choose from. For example:  

Aloe Vera is one of my favourite plants and is very easy to take care of. The gel inside the leaves is an excellent skin moisturiser and healing agent. This plant is also called "plant of immortality" because it has been used in Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. 

Spider Plant can grow up to 6 feet tall and has long, thin leaves with small white flowers that look like spider webs hanging from them. The spider plant is one of the easiest houseplants to care for; it requires very little sunlight or water! It's also known as an aeroplane plant because its leaves resemble a jet plane when they fall. 

Peace Lily is another great low maintenance indoor plant that only needs watering once a week and indirect sunlight! This beautiful flower with shiny dark green leaves will bring peace and harmony into your kitchen space!