1. Compost your food scraps
This one’s probably the most important in terms of reducing your carbon footprint and overall impact on the planet. When food accumulates in landfills, it begins to decompose, it’s then broken down by bacteria through anaerobic digestion which means there’s not enough oxygen reaching all the food waste. Without oxygen to facilitate the decaying process the food waste begins to produce methane a greenhouse gas that is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide. The simple act of composing can have an enormous positive impact on the health of our planet and it’s so easy to do. You see how I compost food waste here and how I compost the pet poop as well here.
2. Wash your clothes less often
We don’t need to wash our clothes as often as we think and 25% of a garment’s carbon footprint comes from the aftercare. Unless your clothes are visibly stained or smell, return them to the hanger to be worn again. Jeans, coats, knit jumpers can be worn several items before they need washing. If the clothes smell a bit stale, hang them outside in the sun as a natural and eco-friendly way to disinfect and air them out.
3. Use eco-friendly cleaning products
This is where I started when I decided I wanted to try to live a little more sustainably. Everything we clean our homes with is washed down the drain, it seeps into our furniture, our clothes and we breathe it in every day. Eco-friendly cleaning products actually do work and if you’re not into DIY there are some great products out there. Biome and Nourished Life are where I find all my natural cleaning products. To save money, use multitasking products like a kitchen spray for the windows and bathroom.
4. Fill your house with plants
A reasonably cheap, natural and easy way to inject some nature and create positive vibes in your space. Indoor plants have been proven to filter and clean the air in your home and improve your mood. I currently have 16 and want to add more but Dave wont let me because I let the Fiddle Leaf Fig die 🙁
5. Use less water
This one’s super easy and will save you money as well. Use the shortest dish washing and washing machine cycles. Turn off the shower while soaping yourself. Turn the tap off while brushing your teeth or washing your face. You get the picture.
6. Reduce your plastic use
This one starts at the grocery store but the plastic is brought into your home. Look at the what you buy in your weekly grocery shop, see what products come wrapped in plastic, then try to find a plastic or package free alternatives. Use reusable bags for the fruit and vegies and make sure you take your shopping bags with you every time (leave them by the door!). For everything else, see if you have a zero waste grocer such as The Source near your home.
