The silver lining of 2020 was that our environment benefited.
This past year we have seen reduced emissions and less resource consumption; while probably none of us ever want to experience a pandemic in our lifetimes again, the positive impact on the environment has been incredible.
Here are some simple changes to continue this impact at home and in your dental routine to create a happy, healthy, sustainable home.
Home
Wash Your Clothes In Cold Water
Up to 90% of the energy used by a washing machine goes toward heating water. So skip the heating and just use your washing machine on the cold water setting. This way, you reduce carbon dioxide emissions, but you also keep your clothes in top condition longer. For those hard to get stains, try the warm setting.
Skip The Dryer When You Can
The sunny and hot months are the perfect time to line-dry your clothes outside. Your clothes and bedding will last longer if you hang them out on a drying rack instead of drying them in the dryer.
DIY Instead of Buying New
We know everyone has an inner HGTV star when it comes to crafting, so why buy new when you can get creative for a fun weekend project? There are excellent guides to DIY and transform any piece of furniture or decor.
Swap Out Your Regular Light Bulbs for LED Bulbs
Investing in the correct energy-efficient light bulbs makes a huge difference not only to the environment but on your electricity bill. Plus, they last longer than traditional bulbs.
Dental Routine
Turn The Water Off
This simple action can save you over 200 gallons of water a month just by turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth. This will also lead to savings on your water bill.
Switch Up Your Floss Routine
Floss is key to a healthy smile and can be a green aspect of your dental routine. Biodegradable Floss and Reusable Floss Handles are just a couple of options. The Reuseable Handles allows you to use less floss and easier to reach the teeth at the back of your mouth.
Use A Bamboo Toothbrush
Bamboo is a great alternative to plastic. Bamboo grows very quickly (up to four feet per day) and is compostable where plastic pollutes for more than 500 years. This is one of the ways we help the environment at our offices, every patient receives a Bamboo Toothbrush.
These are just a couple of small changes that can make a big impact on our environment!