Tips for creating an eco-sustainable home
Eco, eco-friendly, sustainable, are just a few of the words that have crept into our vocabulary in recent years. They each have their own definitions, but, put simply, underscoring them all is an aim to protect our living world.
Sustainability is a huge topic but has three components:
- Protecting what the world currently has
- Meeting current needs
- Looking after future generations
How can we live more sustainably?
Top tips that you can start today to live more sustainably at home:
1. Reuse plastic items – plastic production and waste is devastating our world
Avoid single-use plastics. Take your own bags shopping and think about whether a new piece of plastic can be used again. Swap plastic in bathroom by switching to soap, shampoo, and conditioner bars.
2. Get thrifty to decrease pollution and waste
Purchase second-hand items such as toys, clothes and dinnerware – you name it, you can buy it! If your old items are in good nick, take them to charity or give them to friends or family.
3. Turn off appliances to reduce your carbon footprint
Leaving your appliances on when you're not using them sucks up energy. Consider buying eco-friendly appliances the next time you need to buy something.
4. Grow your own food and make compost to reduce environmental miles and packaging
Herbs can be planted in windowsill pots, and vegetables can be grown in outside soil. Children can participate in the life cycle process while also enjoying the pleasure of eating fresh, delicious food!
Make your own compost for your herbs and veggies by combining waste food, paper, mown grass, coffee grounds, tea bags, leaves, newspapers, and so much more in a compost bin.
5. Fix it instead of throwing it away to reduce the amount of waste in landfill
Fixing or repairing an object is more environmentally friendly than throwing it away. You can find lots of information about fixing things online.
6. Walk, bike, or public transport to reduce your carbon footprint
We understand that driving is necessary for many people. If this is the case, be sure to check that your tyres are inflated correctly and that your engine is running properly. If you can though, why not consider swapping driving for walking, cycling, or taking public transport?
7. Make birthdays and celebrations smaller – ticks every single eco-sustainable box
Children don’t know about consumerism, why not keep it this way?
8. Stop to think... Do I need this?
If we all bought fewer products, less packaging would be produced. More packaging equals more production and more waste. Taking fewer products home means less packaging.
When you are shopping, if you can, stop to think “Do I need this?” If yes, try to look for products that say they are eco-friendly/sustainable. Information is available on company websites, or apps such as Think Dirty and Impact Score® Shopping will help you find out how environmentally friendly products are.