These 5 Common Things Around Your Home Are Actually Harming You (and the Environment)

While some circular business models have emerged in recent years to responsibly recycle or repurpose unwanted furniture, over the past few decades it has been more common for much of our furniture to end up in landfill or incineration plants. to obtain energy. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in 1960, 2.2 million tons of furniture and furnishings ended up in the municipal solid waste stream, or the accumulation of everything we want to dispose of. By 2018, this number had increased to 12.1 million tons per year, a 450% increase in approximately 6 years.

Rather than adding more items, Rona recommends buying second-hand items and choosing vintage furniture, which may help reduce exposure to toxins. If you buy old, vintage furniture, you’re probably most likely to bring something into your home that isn’t full of toxins, she said, noting that even old furniture may contain relevant chemicals but is already contaminated.Long enough, most of them are deflating [has occurred, so] You don’t have to worry so much.

gas kitchen appliances

According to Consumer Reports, nearly 40% of American households rely on gas stoves for cooking. However, doing so can expose households to harmful air pollutants, including methane, a major contributor to the climate crisis, and benzene, which has been linked to cancer. Upgrading from a gas stove to an induction cooktop can reduce the amount of methane and benzene leaking into your home. A study released by Stanford University last year found that gas and propane burners and ovens emit 10 to 50 times more benzene than electric stoves, while induction cooktops did not emit any detectable benzene.

Dan Mock, vice president of operations for Mister Sparky, a national electrician franchise, said most people thought this would be a major project to switch from natural gas to electric, but that’s not the case. Today, most homes are equipped with facilities that can be easily converted to a fully electric home. Assuming your wiring and electrical panel are newer, and you can afford the switch. But there are state and federal financial incentives available to homeowners; if you rent, tell your landlord about the health and environmental benefits, and be sure to mention subsidies.

Outdated garage refrigerator

While refrigerators are more common in kitchens, it’s not surprising to find one in your garage. But unlike indoor refrigerators, garage refrigerators tend to be outdated, infrequently cleaned, and consume energy. existEfficient model for relocation after kitchen refurbishment, mainly used for stocking perishable food and excess beer.

Shelie Miller, a professor at the University of Michigan who specializes in sustainable systems, claims that typical garage refrigerators are an energy guzzler, meaning they do not help minimize energy bills or electricity demand, meaning they need to produce more energy than they would otherwise. More power. Instead, she recommends upgrading to a newer backup refrigerator with a better energy-efficiency reputation; this calculator from the U.S. Department of Energy can help you understand the potential savings in terms of climate and financial benefits. Do we really need power 365 days a year to keep soda, beer or whatever cold? she asked rhetorically.

Vast and pristine lawns

Suburban America is synonymous with vast green spaces, but not necessarily the kind filled with trees and natural habitats. Turf lawns are often referred to as biodiversity deserts and are not suitable for native plants and animals. Additionally, this flat, green space often leads homeowners to turn to synthetic fertilizers and lawn equipment that uses fossil fuels. Shelly suggests considering ways to reduce your lawn area. Instead, you (or a persuasive landlord) can expand the planting beds, add more trees or convert the lawn to grass.