How Household

Consumption Impacts

the Environment

and How Eco Solutions’

Sustainable Home Services

Can Help.

Science Direct research indicates through consumption behaviors, households are responsible for approximately 72% of the global greenhouse gas emissions that are contributing to climate change and the many interconnected environmental impacts affecting our planet.

The frequency of international headlines emphasizing these facts speaks to the causative nature of many of these challenges as well as the level of urgency in implementing more sustainable solutions.

"Household consumption significant driver of climate, other environmental impacts"

"… how your household drives up global greenhouse gas emissions"

"It Starts At Home: Climate policies targeting household consumption and behavioral decisions are key to low-carbon futures"

Globally, the United States is considered one of the richest and most developed nations on earth offering access to abundant resources that include higher education, advanced health care, higher-paid employment, overflowing retail shelves, and abundant housing - compared to less developed countries. Yet, in relation to the size of its population, the U.S. is a leading consumer and contributor to some of the world’s largest environmental challenges:

  • The United States is the largest cumulative emitter of greenhouse gases on the planet, while China is currently the largest global emitter of greenhouse gases.

  • Americans constitute approximately 5% of the world's population but consume ~16% of the world’s GDP.

  • Over 20% of U.S. emissions are directly attributed to the production and consumption of household goods and services. If you consider indirect emissions (resourced abroad and consumed in U.S.), this figure is closer to 80%.

  • The average American uses approximately 82 gallons of water per day, 300 gallons of water per household, and is one of the largest per capita water consumers in the world.

  • The average American produces approximately 4.9 pounds of trash per day (the equivalent of 1,789 pounds of trash per year) and much of this waste is comprised of recyclable items.

The abundant "American way of life" is greatly contributing to global natural resource depletion, biodiversity loss, deforestation, pollution, global warming, and climate change. The Global Footprint Network warns us that humanity continues to use up more ecological resources than the Earth can regenerate, and much of the responsibility lies with rich, developed countries that are their primary consumers.

Today's human and environmental challenges call for a more sustainable way of life, not only in the United States but also globally, as climate change and its impacts have no boundaries.

So, how can we create a more

sustainable home and eco-friendly life style?

Sustainability begins with an awareness and intention to meet our individual and family's needs without compromising the regenerative needs of nature or the generational needs of the future.

Tips on "How To" green your purchasing habits and create a more sustainable home are featured below.

An ECO-FRIENDLY LIFESTYYLE

reflects our ongoing commitment

TO ASKING HOW OUR

choices and behaviors

impact the natural world.

Tips for Green Purchasing & a More Sustainable Home

HOME

ASK: How Can I Reduce Natural Resource Use?

—> Let Eco Solutions assess your home's sustainability

  • Cultivate energy & water-saving habits.

  • Install efficient appliances and fixtures.

  • Check for leaks.

  • Insulate your house.

  • Use renewable energy.

PURCHASING

ASK: How Does This Product Or Service Impact Human & Environmental Health?

  • Support eco-friendly brands.

  • Buy fair trade, cruelty free, & organic.

  • Buy paper and wood products responsibly.

  • Use non-toxic cleaners.

  • Avoid excess packaging & single-use products.

  • Buy in bulk.

FOOD

ASK: Does This Food/Drink Support Human & Environmental Health?

  • Eat organic food.

  • Eat less meat.

  • Reduce dairy in your diet.

  • Drink filtered vs bottled water.

  • Consider a vegetarian diet.

  • Plan meals ahead of time.

  • Compost fruit & vegetable waste.

TRANSPORTATION

ASK: How Can I Reduce My Transportation Impacts?

  • Get regular tune ups.

  • Check tire pressure.

  • Car pool.

  • Buy an energy-efficient car.

  • Work remotely.

  • Ride a bike.

  • Limit idling your car when outside traffic.

WASTE MANAGEMENT

ASK: How Can I Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Or Compost This Waste?

  • Reduce natural resource use and any behaviors of over consumption.

  • Reduce plastic use and waste.

  • Choose reusable over single-use items.

  • Recycle paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum, plastic, and food waste.

GROUNDSKEEPING

ASK: How Can My Yard And Garden Be More Resilient?

  • Plant native plants.

  • Plant drought-tolerant plants.

  • Mulch to retain moisture.

  • Grow your own food.

  • Capture rain water.

  • Compost food waste.

  • Avoid pesticides.

 

An eco-friendly Home

is resource efficient,

protects

the environment,

and is a good

neighbor.

Sustainable Home Services

Eco Solutions provides sustainable-living assistance for people who want to initiate and maintain an eco-friendly home & lifestyle but are unsure of what steps to take and how to take them. Eco Solutions first conducts a sustainable-living assessment of your home or apartment that includes a collaborative walk through and inquiry. Our assessments incorporate a checklist and report format that provide practical, step-by-step guidance for individuals and families and are based on household best practices for sustainable living. Our services and assessments help you and your family create a healthier home environment, save money on utility and purchasing expenses, become more efficient in resource use and waste generation, and help protect the environment.

 

Our Home Assessment Focus Areas Include:

  • Awareness & Education

  • Waste Reduction & Recycling

  • Energy Efficiency

  • Water Conservation & Protection

  • Green Purchasing

  • Clean Transportation

  • Resilient Grounds Keeping

 

Once your Home Sustainability Assessment is complete, Eco Solutions will identify any practices already implemented and discuss with you sustainable areas for improvement that include science-supported information, helpful and local resources, and best-practice solutions. Depending on the size of your home or apartment, our assessment-and-review process takes approximately two and a half hours, whereby you are provided with your digital report that highlights environmentally friendly actions to take.

Going Green is a healthier,
resource efficient,
and low-waste
way of life.

There are many green opportunities to make no and low-cost changes in every kind of household, from the smallest apartment to the biggest of houses and everywhere in between.

ECO SOLUTIONS can help you make more
informed and sustainable
HOME & LIFESTYLE
CHOICES
that help you:

  • Cultivate energy & water-saving habits

  • Use efficient appliances & fixtures

  • Save money on utility & purchasing expenses

  • Strengthen resiliency

  • Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, & Compost

  • Minimize your waste stream

  • Replenish natural resources

  • Increase organic food choices

  • Improve your health

  • Support eco-friendly brands

  • Use non-toxic cleaners & products

  • Reduce plastic & single-use items

  • Protect waterways & oceans

  • Reduce food waste

  • Save money on purchasing expenses

  • Use less paper

  • Save forests

  • Reduce transportation emissions

  • Slow, reduce, or reverse the effects of climate change

  • Capture rain water

  • Support Ecosystems

  • Create a healthier & more resilient home, neighborhood, community, and planet!

“Eco Solutions’ Home Sustainability Assessment provided our family with useful, economical, and environmentally friendly resources and actions that we can take at home, at school, and church.

Anne is a knowledgeable, caring, and inspiring educator and we highly recommend her services.”

-Mr. & Mrs. Clark - Wade, NC