With the new year finally upon us we’re all thinking of resolutions to make our lives better. Some might be thinking on the lines of their own fitness and health with others thinking about improving the environment around them.
If you’re the latter, this article will be perfect for you. We’ve got a list of sustainable swaps you can make in your home for a greener life.
In the Kitchen
There are plenty of ways you can make your kitchen more sustainable and many of them include making only slight changes to your habits.
- Think about using alternative kitchenware such as goBambu’s coconut bowls and bamboo utensils.
- Plan your meals as precisely as you can – the overproduction of food resulting in waste is massively polluting.
- Upcycle old pieces of clothing to use as dish towels – this cuts out the need for using kitchen roll.
- Cooking in bulk and freezing leftovers can help you save energy and save on food waste in the process.
In the Bathroom
One of the worst offending materials in the world in regards to our environment is plastic. Plastic infiltrates all of our daily lives and can be most commonly found in our bathrooms. Small changes have big impacts on here’s some ways you can cut plastic waste from your bathroom as well as other energy saving tips.
Ditch the plastic
Ditch plastic toothbrushes for bamboo ones made by the likes of goBambu. Plastic toothbrushes take hundreds of years to decompose and spend most of that time either at landfills or in our oceans. Bamboo on the other hand is both biodegradable and compostable meaning it will safely decompose within a few months.
Whilst most plastic bottles for shampoo and soap are recyclable, the actual recycling rate in the UK is surprisingly low. Opting for solid bars of soap and shampoo which come in plastic-free packaging is a great way to ensure plastic is never accidentally binned.
Save water
Try to take showers over baths and make them brief. Water waste is a big issue that could be averted if we all got out of the shower a little bit sooner (granted, it’s definitely tougher in winter months).
Speaking of water savings, did you know that installing a bidet is actually more sustainable than watering the trees that are then chopped down to make toilet roll? You would think that it would be the opposite, but this is a much better water saving option than old fashioned toilet roll.
In continental Europe bidets are pretty much the norm, but in other nations you can still enjoy the benefits of a bidet despite what you may think. Usually bidets are a stand-alone unit and take up space, but if you don’t have the space for one you can easily convert your toilet with a bidet made especially as a toilet add-on.
Elsewhere Around the House
Whilst the easiest sustainable swaps are based in the kitchen and bathroom, there are still some ideas to help you elsewhere around the house. These include:
- Using plastic free laundry detergent.
- Finding zero-waste stores nearby to refill cleaning supplies.
- Switching your energy supplier to a company who uses renewable energy.
- Making sure your home is sufficiently insulated and energy efficient all year round.
- Opting for vegan candles made out of soy or coconut wax.
Hopefully these tips will help you on the road to sustainability this year. Starting small and building up is usually the best path you can take and these tips are generally a good place to start.
What are some of your favourite swaps for a greener home which didn’t make our list? Let us know in the comment section below.
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