In this article 20 Ways to a More Sustainable Home will inspire readers to explore renewable resources that work well in a home setting, reduce waste for less impact on our planet.
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Define Sustainable Home
Each person has their own definition or idea of a sustainable home. Ideally, it’s a home that is designed with sustainability in mind and creates ways to be energy efficient on it’s own.
Another way view that compliments the first is a home that is healthy for the environment. It’s being respectful of the natural environment. When possible natural materials were used to build it and to top it off, and it’s comfortable for a family to live in.
Most of us are either unable to build such a home or bought a home that is 10, 20 or even 50+ years old. The purpose of this article to support you in your efforts to take your current lifestyle and make it has sustainable as possible. It’s quite possible it may take a few months or even a few years.
Your Home & Pollution
I must admit that I don’t sit around and think of my home as polluting the environment. However, it was no big surprise that one of biggest sources of pollution is single use plastic.
Another surprising fact was the amount of organic matter (trash that could be composted)that ends up in a land fill. The average US household produces 650 lbs. of organic trash a year, leaving 60% of landfills containing organic matter.
Why doesn’t organic matter break down in the landfill? Landfills are full of tightly packed trash with little to no air. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) states that organic matter needs “nitrogen, carbon, oxygen and water”. For more details on the process of trash composting visit the NRDC.
The average person wants to know what they can do to make their home and the environment more sustainable. It’s all about the a little changes that eventually become big changes.
The article will focus on the little ways each home can use less energy, reuse their current resources and take small steps towards a more sustainable home.
20 Ways to a More Sustainable Home
Small changes you can make in your home to be more sustainable. Here are the top 10 ways:
- Wash clothes in cold water to save on energy. Another option is a warm wash and cold rinse cycle.
- Hang clothes to dry either outdoors when possible or use a clothes rack in your home. Clothes drying rack – Bamboo Wooden rack – heavy duty cloth drying stand
- Turn vegetable scraps into a nourishing broth.
- Grow herbs. Herbs are easy grow outdoors in pots or raised beds. Growing them indoors year-round is an option if you have a sunny location in your home. Herb Garden Kit. Seed Starter. Indoor. Grow 5 Different Herbs – Basil, Mint, Parsley, Thyme and Rosemary from Organic Seeds at Home.
- Keep potted plants in your home. Plants are a nature’s air purifier. Ocean Spider Plant – Easy to Grow – Cleans The Air.
- Buy a water filter or install a home water filtration system. (Skip buying one-time use plastic water bottles.) Brita Standard Everyday Water Filter Pitcher, White, Large 10 Cup, 1 Count
- Own a couple re-usable water bottles for every person in the household. TriMax Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle – 24 oz
- Use natural cleaning products (non-petroleum based) or buy a natural concentrate and make them at home.
- Recycle old towels as re-usable/washable rags. (Eliminate the need for paper towels.)
- Keep the coils on the back of the fridge clean, allowing the refrigerator to operate more efficiently.
10 More Ways to a More Sustainable Home
- Skip dryer sheets. Homemade or store-bought wool dryer balls work wonderful. Wool Dryer Balls – Natural Fabric Softener, Reusable, Reduces Clothing Wrinkles and Saves Drying Time. The Large Dryer Ball is a Better Alternative to Plastic Balls and Liquid Softener. (Pack of 6)
- Use cloth or homemade shopping bags and produce bags.Reusable Produce Bags Grocery Washable | Organic Cotton Mesh Produce Bags | Double-Stitched | Onions Bag | Cotton Produce Bags Reusable Washable | Bulk of 13 (4S, 4M, 4L +1 Muslin)
- Recycle plastics at your local recycling center.
- Use cloth napkins. Reuse material from old shirts, tablecloths, sheets, etc. Set of 12 Dinner Napkins (20X20 Inch) 100% Cotton Premium Over Sized, Ultra Soft Durable Hotel Quality (Taupe/Chocolate)
- Compost kitchen scraps. Establish a compost pile or purchase a patio composter.Stainless Steel Compost Bin 1.3 Gallon-Includes Charcoal Filter
- Replace chemical plug-in scents with natural oils in your home. 2oz Small Fine Mist Spray Bottles For Essential Oils, Blue Glass Spray Bottle 3 Pack
- Choose wool blankets and clothing when possible. Alpaca and Sheep Wool Blanket, Soft and Thick, 72 x 88 inches Full/Queen, Earth Tones, Made in Peru
- Replace plastic storage containers with glass or stainless steel. Round Nesting Trio Stainless Steel Lunch Containers (Set of 3: 5oz/9oz/16oz) Airtight Lids – Dishwasher Safe
- Grow your own sprouts. Sprouting lids and seeds are cost efficient and easy to sprout. -Seed Sprouting Jar Kit| 2 Wide Mouth Quart Mason Jars with Stainless Steel Lids,Tray,Stand| Broccoli,Alfalfa (White)
- Replace plastic bags with re-usable silicon storage solutions. Stasher Platinum Silicone Food Grade Reusable Storage Bag, Clear (Bundle 4-Pack Small) | Reduce Single-Use Plastic | Leakproof, Eco-friendly
Cultivating a sustainable home with small steps
Creating a home environment that is more sustainable can happen over time. Commit to a few items each month and soon your home will be using less waste and less energy.
Personally, I found that it was easiest to get the whole family on board when I switched to everyone to an Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle. It kept their water cold, was easy to clean and didn’t leak. I’ve been pleasantly surprised how easily my daughters switched from single-use plastic to silicone Stashers like this one Stasher Platinum Silicone Food Grade Reusable Storage Bag.
Find out what works for you and go for it! I was able to replace dryer sheets with wool dryer balls over twenty years ago. For a specific scent, I add a few drops of essential oil orange or peppermint oil to the dryer ball.
Striving for sustainability goes right along with living an intentionally healthy life! Drop a comment with additional ways you cultivate a sustainable home.
Pursing Better Health Together,