There were three key dates in June that related to protecting the planet; World Environmental day on the 5th, World Oceans Day on the 8th, and World Refill Day on the 16th. On these days, many of us took time to consider the impact that we have on the envrionment. In the month of June, we pledged to plant a mangrove tree for any client who instructed Hamptons to either sell or let their home. Mangrove trees protect the coast from storms, tsunamis and erosion, filter out pollutants and pluck five times as much carbon from the atmosphere than rainforests. They are also a perfect home for mudskippers, manatees, and alligators.
We wanted to help and encourage you to live an eco-friendlier life with some easy top tips to have a lifestyle that is better for the environment. Together we can make a difference!
Here are three simple tips that you may want to think about:
1) Re-Use and Recycle
Our first tip is to make swaps to products that are biodegradable, consider a bamboo toothbrush, washcloths made from hemp, recycled toilet paper, or a natural shampoo or deodorant. These swaps will reduce your environmental harm. Another small change is using a stainless steel water bottle instead of buying a water bottle on your morning commute. Stainless steel bottles are eco-friendly and keep water colder for longer. At Hamptons we work closely with Refill, a company that aims to reduce single use plastic. You can bring your reusable water bottle into any Hamptons branch and refill it for free. Join the refill revolution with us!
2) Limit food waste
According to the UN Environment Programme's (UNEP) Food Waste Index Report 2021, about 17% of global food production may go to waste, with 61% of this waste coming from households, 26% from food service and 13% from retail. To reduce your food waste at home, plan your meals in advance to buy only what you need. Invest in containers to store produce in the fridge, and learn to love your leftovers. For any scraps left behind, you can contribute to a community compost or freeze and store to make a homemade vegetable stock.
3) Insulation
Did you know that the average home loses 40% of its heat energy through poor insulation or gaps in windows and doors? There are several ways to keep your house insulated, which will reduce your energy bills and lower your carbon footprint. Why not consider double/triple glazed windows, cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, radiator foil or draught excluders? To improve insulation quickly, consider installing thicker curtains to trap the heat in, or install a smart thermostat.
At Hamptons, we are committed to making a positive impact on the communities we serve, and beyond. And doing what we can to minimise our environmental impact is at the heart of that commitment. Implementing some of these small changes can help to make your home more sustainable, so we can work towards a greener future.
