30 Simple Swaps to a More Sustainable Home
A large part of going zero waste is creating a sustainable home where we can practice low impact living and manifest an eco-conscious space, implementing best practices to share with the world, align our actions with our sustainability ethics and influence our friends and families.
Here are 30 simple swaps to creating a more sustainable home today:
follow your city’s waste guides to make sure your trash is properly recycled
compost or reuse your food scraps
do shorter, cooler laundry washes (this will also help your clothes last longer)
air-dry your laundry
boil only as much water as you’ll need
use a hot water bottle and blankets instead of heating your entire home with electric heating
switch to a renewable energy supplier (sign up to Octopus Energy and receive £50 here: share.octopus.energy/rich-rose-480
make your own cleaning products with natural ingredients like distilled white vinegar, lemon juice, bicarbonate of soda
use plastic-free and reusable cleaning cloths rather than sponges
use a washing up bowl or plug your sink when washing dishes
buy second-hand furniture over new
eat plant-based
food prep your meals to reduce energy usage from the hob or oven
go paperless where you can (online banking, bills, etc)
reuse and repurpose broken items and things you no longer have a use for in their original form
buy rechargeable items that don’t need batteries (or use rechargeable batteries)
switch to eco-friendly light bulbs
grow your own herbs, fruits, veggies… whatever you have space for
buy second-hand books or borrow from a friend or the library
use organic, natural material soft furnishings like cotton, bamboo, hemp or linen blankets, duvet and pillows
ditch the tin foil and use silicone sheets to cook
ditch the cling film and use glass containers to store your leftovers
use sustainable toilet paper made from recycled paper or fast-growing bamboo
shower less often
reuse parcel packaging as storage boxes, wrapping paper, etc
use plants as air purifiers
use essential oils to scent your home
if you live in a warm climate, open your windows and use fans rather than using air con
reduce the things you own, use the things you already have as decorative objects, having less saves on cleaning and management
use natural bathroom products like haircare and skincare to save on harmful chemicals being flushed to the oceans
Here’s a video going into a bit more detail about each point to help you on your way to a sustainable home and future!