Tips to make your home more sustainable

By: Camila Straschnoy (Instyle Mexico)

27/07/2020

We have been talking a lot about sustainability in recent years. But, have you thought about sustainability in your home?

During 2020, confinement forced us to spend almost all of our time at home, and as a result, a general trend began to beautify home spaces. Whether it is weaving a blanket for the foot of our bed, painting a piece of furniture to give it new life, or buying a plant to bring life to our confinement, suddenly we have all become decorators.

Valeria Hinojosa is a Bolivian eco-activist who lives in Miami. For the past 6 years, she has delved deeper into the topic of sustainability and has become an influencer of it. From her account called @WaterThruSkin, she educates all of us to have a more conscious lifestyle and take care of our planet. Because let’s not forget: there is no planet B and sustainability is no longer just an option, nor a passing fad. We are at a key moment where we must change our habits. The good news? It is not necessary to make any large investment to get started with this lifestyle. By implementing small changes in our homes, little by little, we can have a home that is more ecological and less toxic. The home that Hinojosa built works somewhat as a guide. T

he approach used for her sustainable home that she put together during the quarantine was to turn each space into a small ecological sanctuary, seeking to connect each space with its essence and at the same time, with nature, generating a balance with the earth.

Each space is created with vegan materials, so no hides or animal products are used. Also, the aim was to support different artisans around the world and obtain sustainable furniture that is produced with biodegradable, recycled, and non-toxic materials. These are all points that you can consider when you are shopping for your home. For the living room, Valeria selected a sofa made from recycled plastic bottles, with FSC certified wood, which ensures that the wood is obtained from forests that are responsibly managed and environmentally conscious. The sofa has vegan and recycled fillers that are certified as fair trade. Fair trade is one of the key pillars of sustainable living since it implies economic, social, and environmental sustainability, and promotes respect for the cultures and traditions of different peoples. The shelves were made by Valeria through an upcycling process using wooden wine boxes. Instead of discarding them, she gave them a second life through upcycling, another of the fundamental pillars of ecological living. Following this concept, this ecological oasis, some old wooden pallets and old light bulbs can become the perfect decoration, like Valeria did in the kitchen.

You just have to imagine it and get to work. Other key points to keep in mind before buying something for your home:

- Review the common practices of the brands that you decide to support.

- Make sure they use natural or recycled materials for their products.

- Check that the dyes and paints are toxin-free.

- Promote a circular economy by buying second-hand items.

For a slightly more advanced level, Valeria explained that she has a water filtration system through which the water is purified, leaving out toxic substances such as chlorine, pesticides, viruses, bacteria, and metals. She also installed a shower filter that helps reduce water consumption. In the homeowner’s own words: “Sustainability is about complaining less, being creative, and finding balance”, and this pause brought upon to us by the pandemic gives us an opportunity to rethink our consumption, get creative, and become more eco-responsible. It is incredible to see all the options that are now available in the market that help us lead more eco friendly lifestyles even in our homes. From non-toxic paint and sustainable furniture, to fair trade bedding and eco-friendly cleaning products.

Today we have an abundance of alternatives! What I liked most about all this is that with creativity and patience we can not only make our home more beautiful so that this 2020 is more bearable, but also that making these changes is accessible and above all, it helps us take better care of the planet.