7 Small Changes For a More Eco-Friendly Home
I’ve been slowly making changes towards a greener home for a while now, but the current pandemic has really lit a fire in me to fully consider the impact my everyday choices have on the environment.
There are, of course, large-scale issues at stake that our federal and state governments need to tackle, but if the COVID quarantine has taught us anything it’s that our collective efforts do matter. If there are things I can personally do to mitigate climate and environmental damage, then I am going to.
I see these types of personal changes as a spectrum, with easy small solutions first, followed by bigger changes that require more of a lifestyle shift.
This isn’t a list of everything I’m doing perfectly, but rather these are examples of lifestyle changes I am making and want to make. They aren’t new ideas, but I hope they encourage you to look around your home and evaluate your choices as well. Truthfully, we all can do better and we should support each other in our efforts.
Here are seven small changes you can do today for a more eco-friendly home.
xo,
Heather
7 Small Changes For a More Eco-Friendly Home
Choose Refillable Products
This is a swap that you can easily implement today. Instead of continually buying individual soap pumps for the kitchen and bathroom, purchase refillable soap dispensers. In my home, I have this white marble soap dispenser in the bathroom, and a glass dispenser in the kitchen. I buy liquid soap in bulk and refill them as needed. Even better, buy unpackaged bar soap.
2. Limit Plastic Purchases
Recycling isn’t the solution for plastic anymore; we all need to significantly reduce our plastic usage. Once you pay attention to the plastic in your home, you can start finding ways to cut back. I encourage you to walk through your kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom and make a note (mentally or otherwise) of where it shows up. I’m definitely still working on this (especially when it comes to groceries, as so much is packaged in plastic), but I am much more conscious of my purchases.
For example, in your kitchen alone, you likely have plastic food storage containers, cooking utensils, snack bags, plastic wrap, and water bottles (I know I do). This doesn’t mean you should toss everything that is plastic. Use those items that you already have, but when they break, are old, or unusable, opt for glass, stainless steel, wood, or bamboo materials next time.
3. Stop Using Makeup And Cleaning Wipes
I did a separate post about this that you can read here, but makeup wipes are terrible for both your skin and the environment. They’re also a costly one-time-use item and you’d be better off switching to coconut oil or a cleansing balm. Here is my all-time favorite cleansing balm. The same goes for cleaning wipes as a one-time use item. Instead, use a cleaning solution and a rag or cloth to wipe down your counters. I’ve started saving a few old bath towels to use as cleaning cloths, and they’re easily stored under the kitchen sink.
4. Choose Cloth Over Paper
Purchase a set (or three) of cloth napkins for your kitchen. I have a drawer of cloth napkins in the kitchen so I never need to buy paper napkins. Once they’re used, I just toss them in the laundry. I love having the cloth napkins as it’s another way to add personality to your home - there so many styles and designs to choose from. I also enjoy swapping them up depending on the season.
5. Consider Joining a CSA
Food supply and distribution systems are a huge strain on the environment and have been deeply impacted by the pandemic, with farmers unable to get their food to restaurants or markets. A CSA, or “community supported agriculture”, will not only provide you with farm-fresh produce but will also support your local community farmers who are likely struggling during this time. It also significantly decreases the carbon footprint that it took for that food to reach your table, and your produce will likely come with less or no plastic packaging. Buying local is really a win-win on all fronts, and the Spring/Summer is the perfect time for fresh seasonal produce. Check Local Harvest for CSA’s in your area.
6. Eat Less Meat
At this point, it’s no secret that meat and beef production are drastically impacting the environment. Again, thinking of these personal efforts as a spectrum, start with limiting meat consumption to only a few times a week. There is no shortage of vegetarian or vegan recipes out there, and once you start cutting back on meat, you’ll find tons of delicious vegetable-based meals. Three of my favorite vegan/vegetarian recipe sites are Cookie + Kate, The Simple Veganista, and Love and Lemons.
7. Start a Small Garden
I recently brought this up on my Instagram and had so many responses from people also considering this, which is amazing. Even if you live in an apartment, you likely have a small balcony or window in your kitchen that would be perfect for growing herbs or small vegetables, like leafy greens or tomatoes. Growing your own food takes buying local one step further, in lessening the carbon footprint of your food. I’m in the process of starting a small herb garden on the balcony of my apartment and will share that journey as well.