How to make your backyard more eco-friendly
It’s hard not to notice the impact human life has had on the environment. There’s plastic in the oceans, micro-beads in waterways, waste centres piling up and yet we continue to produce more and more waste. If you’re looking for some easy ways you and your home can be a little more eco-friendly, here are some easy tips to get you started in your own backyard. Every little bit counts.
Swap: Summer entertaining for year-round garden use
“The best way you can be environmentally friendly in the backyard is to use your area all year round, so that you get a better cost-per-wear for your items,” says Rod Schiefelbein of eco-friendly decking business Trex Company Australia.
“Consider a fire pit, some linen-covered deck chairs and soy-based candles to add ambience to an evening and keep the outdoor lights off.”
Swap: running water for rain water
“Install a rain-water tank,” says Rod. “Tanks for small backyards are available from local suppliers and will help you reuse the rainfall in your area and keep the water usage and bills down.”
Swap: imported plants for native ones
“Be conscious of the shrubs and trees surrounding your house,” says Rod. “Choose plants that thrive in the local environment, which will reduce the amount of water needed to keep them healthy.”
Swap: wooden decking for wood-composite
“If you have a deck, or are looking to build one, consider wood-composite decking over traditional timber,” says Rod. “A 5.4m Trex board contains approximately 2,500 recycled plastic bags, which are merged with reclaimed timber and sawdust to create a sturdy, long-wear alternative to timber decking. Long-wear and easy to clean, a composite-decking will also last longer than standard wooden decking in Australia’s harsh elements.”
Swap: water-logged soil for run-off areas
“Dig out run-off areas in your backyard so that water travels downhill or out of your backyard, saving plants when there’s heavy rainfall. Run-off areas serve the added benefit of eliminating mosquito-breeding water-logged soil areas in your garden, reducing the need for pest-repellants.”
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