Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Simple Tips for Sustainable Living

Many Floridians are increasingly discovering the benefits of a sustainable lifestyle and finding it is easy to implement. Going green and sustainable living is all about lifestyle change.

It starts with becoming more sensitive to the environment and desiring to reduce consumption and waste. Eco-friendly practices save money by reducing excess and reusing materials. They also provide a healthier environment.

“More and more companies are also recognizing the importance of utilizing materials and technologies that limit a negative environmental impact,” said Dustyn Shroff, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance. “Some insurance companies are offering benefits to those who are environmentally conscious.  There are discounts available for owners of hybrid vehicles, LEED certified homes and those who sign up to go paperless with their insurance companies.”

 If you are interested in greener and cleaner living, below are some easy steps to take toward a sustainable lifestyle.

  •  Participate in a recycling program in your community. If recycling pick-up is not available in your area, many retailers such as Best Buy and Target have in-store recycling kiosks. You can recycle electronics, paper and more for free. Most grocery stores in Florida have a plastic bag recycling container available as well.
    **You can recycle paper with staples and paperclips attached as well as bottles with limes.
  • Turn the water off while brushing your teeth. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, you can save eight gallons of water by this simple action- that equals 200 gallons of water a month.
  • When you are finished with your current cleaning products, try using natural products such as baking soda, lemon and vinegar. This will reduce chemicals that go down the drain and enter our water sources.
  • Wash clothes in cold water when possible. The U.S. Department of Energy states, “Water heating consumes 90 percent of the energy it takes to operate a washing machine.”
  •  If you are in a long carpool pick up line, turn your car off so it does not idle too long and you can save gas.
  • Replace your batteries with rechargeable batteries.
  • Install dimmer switches in your dining and living room.
  • Reuse containers- rinse out glass containers and fill them up with nails, screws or other small objects for handy see-through storage.
  • Keep a container for recycling near your desk for your convenience.
  • Substitute a micro-fiber cloth for paper towels when cleaning.
  • BYOB-Bring your own grocery and shopping bags to the store, some retailers offer a discount for bringing your own bag.
  • Stop buying bottled water and carry around a refillable bottle. You can also take a travel coffee mug into your usual coffee shop and they will refill it, some stores may even give you a discount.
  • Shop for produce at the local farmers market.
  • Try keeping cell phones and lap tops as long as possible or consider donating them when you are ready to make a new electronics purchase. Also check out buy- back programs like the one from Amazon.
  • Borrow books from the library.
  • Pop some tags- check out your local thrift store or consignment shop.
  • Unplug appliances when they are not in use.
  • Switch out small plastic baggies for reusable containers.
  • Combine your errands into one trip and shrink your carbon footprint.

GreatFlorida Insurance agents can find you available eco-friendly insurance discounts and insurance companies that participate in sustainable business practices. Call us today.

Florida Insurance Discounts

Dustyn Shroff
Dustyn Shroffhttp://www.greatflorida.com
Vice President at GreatFlorida Insurance

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