4 ways to do your bit for the planet

RE/MAX of Southern Africa suggests homeowners consider four essential pillars for home sustainability: electricity, water, waste and self-sustainability. Invest in Solar Power

Homeowners should arrange for a consultation on whether the property can easily adapt to solar power panels. This will depend on your type of roof and its exposure to the sun. In the long run, running your property on solar power will shave thousands off your electricity bill and reduce the impact of relying on non-renewables. Upgrade your water-efficiency

Consider installing a rainwater tank to reduce pressure on your water supply systems and invest in waterwise shower heads. It can also be as simple as adding a bucket to your shower to capture excess water for your garden. A proper grey-water system to maintain your garden could up your property’s resale value.

Use your garden

Invest in a composting system to reduce the amount of waste the household creates. Investing in plants is also wonderful for naturally purifying the air, helping dampen street noise and providing shade to cool the home in summer. Planting fruit, vegetables and herbs will also curb your reliance on the local grocer, thereby reducing the amount of packaging waste.

Find out about recycling

Look into your municipality’s recycling guidelines and speak to your estate agent to find out where you’re able to drop off recycling. If your area is underserved, consider spearheading communications to introduce a recycling method that allows the material to be collected from the households in your community.