The energy transition is one of the major challenges of our time, yet everyone can contribute at their own level. Adopting eco-friendly gestures in daily life not only helps reduce our carbon footprint, but also saves money. Do you already own a pair of eco-responsible trainers? Then discover our checklist of simple and effective actions to help protect the environment.
"This isn't Versailles": optimise your energy consumption
One of the first levers for reducing your environmental impact is right at home. Here are a few easy tips to put in place:
- Switch your electronic devices off completely rather than leaving them on standby. Use power strips with a switch to make this easier.
- Replace your standard light bulbs with LEDs or class A compact fluorescent lamps, whose environmental impact is 75% lower than incandescent bulbs.
- Set your heating to 19°C in living areas and 17°C in bedrooms. Every degree less means a little more energy savings!
- Regularly maintain your household appliances to optimise their energy efficiency.
- Take the opportunity to also choose a truly green electricity provider, such as elmy. That way, your energy bill concretely helps finance the development of renewable energies!
Every drop counts: adopt responsible water consumption
Water is a precious resource that must be preserved. Here is how to reduce your consumption:
- Prefer short showers over baths to reduce your water consumption by a factor of 3.
- Fit aerators on your taps to reduce water flow without any loss of comfort.
- Collect rainwater to water your plants or wash your car.
- Fix leaks promptly: a dripping tap can waste up to 120 litres of water per day!
Green mobility: rethink the way you travel
Transport accounts for a significant share of our carbon footprint. To reduce it:
- Favour walking or cycling for short journeys.
- Use public transport whenever possible.
- If you need to take the car, consider carpooling to share costs and reduce emissions.
- Drive smoothly and anticipate ahead to use less fuel.
From field to plate: consume local and seasonal produce
Our food choices have a considerable impact on the environment. To reduce it:
- Buy seasonal fruit and vegetables produced locally. They require less transport and energy to produce.
- Visit local markets and producers to support the local economy.
- Reduce your meat consumption, as its production is very resource-intensive.
- Cook for yourself rather than buying ready-made meals, which are often over-packaged.
Zero waste: fight food waste
In France, each person throws away an average of 30 kg of food per year. To avoid this waste:
- Plan your meals and make a shopping list so you only buy what you need.
- Organise your fridge logically: items to be consumed soon at the front, newer ones at the back.
- Learn to cook with leftovers to give them a second life.
- Compost your organic waste whenever possible.
Zero waste goal: reduce your waste
Waste production has a significant impact on the environment. To limit it:
- Choose products with minimal or no packaging.
- Opt for brands that are committed to responsible and sustainable practices.
- Use reusable bags for your shopping.
- Opt for refillable products (soap, laundry detergent, etc.).
- Repair rather than discard: clothing, electronic devices, furniture...
Smart recycling: adopt selective sorting
Sorting your waste encourages recycling and reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfill or incineration:
- Find out about your local council's recycling and sorting guidelines.
- Set up several bins at home to make sorting easier on a daily basis.
- Don't forget special waste (batteries, light bulbs, medicines) which must be taken to specific collection points.
Circular economy: favour second-hand purchases and sharing
Manufacturing new products consumes a great deal of resources. To limit this impact:
- Consider second-hand purchases for clothing, furniture, home appliances...
- Take part in exchange or lending schemes between individuals.
- Rent rather than buy items you only need occasionally.
Eco-friendly green thumb: garden responsibly
If you have a garden or a balcony, you can also take action for biodiversity:
- Avoid pesticides and favour natural methods to deal with pests.
- Choose local plants suited to your region's climate.
- Install a rainwater collector for watering.
- Create a compost to recycle your green and organic waste.
Final recommendations
The snowball effect is crucial in the ecological transition. Don't hesitate to share your good practices with your family and friends and to take part in local environmental initiatives. You can also encourage your employer to adopt more sustainable practices.
Don't try to change everything at once: start with the actions that seem easiest to put in place, then gradually expand your practices. The important thing is to persevere and turn these eco-friendly gestures into new habits.
Remember that the ecological transition is an ongoing process. Stay curious and regularly keep yourself informed about new practices and technologies that can help you reduce your environmental impact.
Discover our other tips for more sustainable consumption right here.
