With the current trends in climate change, there is no option but to advocate for a green economy whether as an employee or a stay-at-home mum. Most of the environmental pollutants come from domestic waste.

Stay at home mums have a significant role as pioneers of saving the environment right from home for they are the link person suitable for both adults and kids.

According to UNEP, the planet is in a state of climate emergency. Everyone should be involved in a bid to have a change in the way things run. It is an activity that requires a multi-sector approach to achieve results.

In this article, we want to specifically focus on how stay-at-home mums play a significant role in saving the environment. Before we look into that, let us look at the reason why it is important to strive for a green economy.

• Provides clean energy
• Saves energy costs
• Creates job opportunities improving the economy
• Focuses on renewable energy
• Saves the planet from extinction

Some of the examples of renewable energy include solar power, wind energy, geothermal power, and hydroelectric power among others.

1.      Replace plastic bags and reusable bags

Plastic waste is non-biodegradable. It will take forever for them to decompose. Moreover, it clogs water pipes and suffocates animals. Imagine if a country full of plastic waste. It is not only litter but also unsafe for the environment.

A stay-at-home mum should always remember a reusable bag while going for shopping. Better still, she can always have them in the car lest she forgets. If she has to use a plastic bag, then it is better to burn them rather than throw them in the dustbin.

2. Avoid paper at all costs

Do you know what it takes to make paper? For every paper, you use there is a felled tree. Why not take advantage of the digital technology around. When helping your kids with homework, let them use the digital tools for painting and drawing instead of paper.

If you are to communicate with friends and family, paperless communication tools come in handy to save the environment.

If you are to do any write-up, request the recipient if you can do a soft copy format. It is not only cheap but also convenient. All that clutter is unnecessary to the environment.

3. Reuse plastic and glass bottles or collect them for recycling

Unlike a working mum, you have all the time to manage and plan your kitchen. What do you do with the used beverage bottles? Do you throw them away? You are a stakeholder in environmental safety. Reuse the bottle as storage cans at home.

 Get in touch with recycling companies such that when you have more than enough they can collect them for recycling purposes.

4. Walk when you can, avoid driving

You have all the time for yourself. With proper planning, you can always walk and do your grocery shopping. It is not a punishment, as a matter of fact; it is also a good form of exercise.

The interaction with nature rejuvenates your mind- a change away from the normal home setup. How does this save the environment? Carbon emissions from the engines contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer by 80 percent. Why should you be part of the statistics?

If you are to use the car, invest in one that uses clean energy.

When you are going to a function with friends and family; it is now time to pull resources and just use one car- the point is, reduce the number of carbon emissions as much as possible.

5. Use water-saving tips

The high water bills in itself lead to depletion of the environment due to the high energy costs. When at home, change your old habits. Always turn off the taps when not in use.

A tankless water heater comes in handy to avoid heating all water in it yet you cannot use the whole of it. Avoid using running water as you wash the dishes.

6. Save electricity

The power in your house is a result of an environmental procedure. The more the electricity bill the more the pressure on the environment. In your small way, you can contribute to climate change mitigation strategies. Some of them include

• Use energy-saving bulbs
• Turn off all electric appliances, not in use
• Switch off lights in rooms that are not occupied
• Substitute with other lighting options like solar power lights

It is time to now move away from the norm and just use simple home-made appliances just to save the environment.