We all know the drill when it comes to going green: reduce, reuse, recycle. But as far as reducing your impact around the home goes, there’s so much more that can be done.
1. Repair
Fact: Australians send around 50 million tonnes of waste to landfill each year. Which is why it’s super important that we choose to reuse – be it the clothes we wear or the furniture we sit on.
Vintage chairs have a character that new chairs don’t have.
Make secondhand your first choice, look at local op shops, ask neighbours and friends, try eBay.
And if the condition isn’t quite up to scratch, try to find a fix for it.
2. Re-purpose
A simple lick of paint (and an open mind) is all you need to breathe new life into anything on the out. Think tin can planters, a wooden palette bedframe or shopping bags made from old t-shirts.
3. Refuse
It’s the smallest changes that make the biggest difference – like saying no to single-use plastics.
Replace your disposables with reusables, items such as paper napkins, plastic grocery bags and coffee cups can all be substituted with cloth napkins, canvas grocery bags and KeepCups.
Why use disposable plastic bags and coffee cups when reusables look and feel so much better?
Buying produce from bulk stores will also help cut back on unnecessary packaging (and it’s a win for the wallet, too.)
4. Remember
Make yourself a ‘zero-waste kit’ and keep it by your shoes at the front door or in the boot of your car. Not only is it way more convenient to have all your eco-friendly products pre-packed, it also doubles as a shopping bag when you’re on-the-go. Low on the essentials? Try a plastic-free starter pack from Banish.com.au.
Ideally, you want one made from cloth that includes a reusable drink bottle, coffee cup and stainless-steel straw.
5. Restore
Considering how much we take from the earth, it’s good to give back where we can – beginning with your own backyard.
Trees renew the air we breathe and provide food and shelter for birds and wildlife. Plus, when strategically placed around the home, they can eliminate the need for interior cooling.
Indoor trees can literally improve the health of your home.
6. Respect
Sustainability means leaving a gentler footprint on the planet, whether that be going paper-free, pulling the plug on power usage or reducing how much water we use
Put simply, it’s about acknowledging that our resources are finite and doing what we can to protect them.
One person can definitely make a difference and the easiest place is to start with the home.
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