Simple Ways You Can Make Your Family Life More Sustainable
It seems like sustainability is everywhere you look these days. As consumers we are more aware of the impacts our buying has on the environment than ever before, and part of this is because the issues are being communicated more clearly. We are also being given examples of ways we can reduce our impact on the environment through our everyday actions and choices, and while it might feel like there are a lot of changes to deal with, the reality is that it is now easier than ever to live a more sustainable lifestyle at home with our families.
If you have been reading up on the environmental costs of our modern lifestyles and have been wondering what you can do to change things up and live more sustainably you may be overwhelmed by the weight of the responsibility. For some, this is enough to encourage them to bury their heads in the sand and ignore their personal accountability. If you are still with us and want to know more then the environment will thank you for making a few simple changes.
First things first, it’s important to keep in mind that you are only one person, one family, and there is only so much you can do. The trick is to find changes that you find manageable and will be able to stick with over long periods of time. From changing your shopping habits to only using the car for journeys over a certain distance, you as an individual have more power than you might think.
Make sustainable decisions
As you go about your day, be really critical of your habits, especially where they relate to your consumerism. This is not about guilt tripping yourself, it’s about taking a pragmatic and responsible approach that will allow you to find areas in your life that could do with some improvement. For example, if you tend to eat take out quite often then you might like to try making an extra effort to cook and reserve your take outs as a treat, or even just something for the weekend.
Cooking wholefoods at home has a lesser impact on the environment in general, but you can have the biggest impact by eating seasonal produce that is relatively locally grown, and by choosing plant based and vegetarian foods more often. Even vegetables that have been shipped long distances have a lower impact on the environment than most meats, so this is a great place to start.
Families with young children can make sustainable swaps by choosing eco friendly baby products over conventional ones. For example, you might like to switch over to organic and natural bath products for your little ones, or look for clothing that is made from sustainable or recycled natural materials. If you are parents of very young children then you could look into using reusable diapers rather than disposable ones - though these are not for everyone and can be a little less convenient for busy parents.
One of the most important things you can do is minimise waste. Even if a product you have bought is not eco friendly, it becomes even less so if it is wasted and not used to its maximum potential. This includes things like clothing in particular. Most of us have at least one or two things in our closets that we bought with the best of intentions, only for it to remain hanging unworn and with the labels still attached in the back of the wardrobe.
If this sounds like you, then have a clear out and don’t throw products in the bin if they are still good. Donate them, give them to a friend, or organise a swap so everyone involved can benefit. This does not only go for clothing, you can try this approach for all your unwanted goods that are still in good condition such as homeware, books and baby clothes.
These are just a few of the simple things you can do to foster a more sustainable lifestyle at home with your family. Of course there are plenty of other ways you can achieve this, and we would encourage you to do further research to look for other creative ways to reduce your impact as a consumer.