You want to do your part in reducing waste, lowering your carbon footprint, and whatever else you can to make your home more efficient and sustainable. But what kind of smart sustainability switches should you make?
In this article, we’ve pulled together 20 things that will lower your environmental impact. Mother Earth will thank you!
Key Takeaways
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Takeaway #1: A sustainable home is energy efficient, conserves resources, and uses environmentally friendly materials. But even if your home wasn’t engineered for sustainability, there are many things you can do daily to reduce your environmental impact.
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Takeaway #2: Some examples of smart sustainability switches include swapping disposable items for reusable ones, composting your food waste, only turning on your dishwasher when it’s full, and taking shorter showers.
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Takeaway #3: Smart sustainability switches will help you save money on your utility bills and daily expenses, and lead to a healthier planet for everyone.
What Is A Sustainable Home?
First, let’s talk about what a sustainable home is. It’s a home that’s energy efficient, uses environmentally friendly materials, and conserves resources.
In essence, it’s designed to have the smallest possible environmental impact. However, even if your home wasn’t designed with sustainability in mind, there are many things you can do daily to be more eco-friendly.
20 Smart Sustainability Switches At Home
1) Switch From Regular To Washable Wipes
Making the simple switch from disposable to reusable wipes, like Mustela’s 100% organic GOTS-certified cotton Reusable Eco-Wipes, will reduce household waste.
Or consider another eco option — like our Home Compostable Wipes made of biodegradable plant-based fibers.
2) Swap Disposable For Reusable Diapers
Although a bit pricier to start, the economics of cloth over disposable diapers move in your favor quickly. Not to mention, the planet prefers it.
We understand that this isn’t a feasible option for everyone, and that’s OK! There are plenty of other ways you can make your home more sustainable.
3) Skip Single-Use Plastic Baggies
Replacing disposable plastic baggies with a reusable version in silicone or beeswax will help to reduce landfill waste, one snack at a time.
4) Bring A Reusable Shopping Bag With You
Travel with a reusable shopping bag tucked in your purse or pocket so you don’t need to use the store’s disposable bags.
5) Choose Biodegradable Body Wash
Another smart sustainability switch you can make is to opt for a biodegradable body wash, made with safe, natural ingredients that quickly break down in the environment.
6) Opt For Glass Bottles
Instead of putting liquids in plastic bottles and containers, opt for glass. Glass is not only long-lasting and recyclable, but also safer because it doesn’t leach chemicals like plastic might.
7) Change Incandescent Bulbs To LEDs
Use LEDs instead of incandescent bulbs. You’ll save money, the bulbs last longer, and you’re helping the environment.
8) Conserve Water
This might not be a new tip, but it’s just as relevant today as it’s always been: Be more mindful of your water usage. Don’t leave the faucet running, don’t fill the tub as high, and take shorter showers.
9) Use A Smart Thermostat
Switching to a smart thermostat will help you get the right temperature at home without wasting energy.
10) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
If there’s a way to reduce, reuse, or recycle something, do it! For example, recycle plastic and glass instead of throwing these items away, turn old paper towel rolls into craft supplies for your kids, or make a blanket out of clothes your baby has outgrown.
11) Compost Food Waste
Composting food waste is like letting nature recycle it, leaving you with rich organic matter that can fertilize your garden.
12) Hang Clothes Outside To Dry
Letting your laundry dry in the sunshine uses less energy and leaves your clothes with a nice, fresh scent.
13) Use Rechargeable Batteries
Choose rechargeable batteries to reduce pollution and waste. Bonus: you won’t have to constantly buy new batteries!
14) Bring Lunch From Home
Instead of buying your food out, pack a reusable bag with your lunch and take it with you to work or school.
15) Opt For Eco-Friendly Sunscreen
If you’re heading outdoors, be sure your sunscreen is eco-friendly. Mustela’s SPF 50 Mineral Sun Lotion is fragrance-free and made without chemical UV filters, parabens, phthalates, or phenoxyethanol.
16) Ride Your Bike
A bike ride costs less (no gas required!), doesn’t negatively impact the environment, and gives you great exercise.
17) Use Dryer Balls Instead Of Sheets
Dryer balls will separate your clothing and improve airflow, which means shorter drying time, fewer wrinkles, and no static cling.
18) Only Run Your Dishwasher When It’s Full
Resist the urge to run the dishwasher when it’s half full. You’ll just have to do it again, doubling the environmental expenditure.
19) Get Into The Resale Game
Instead of tossing your old clothes, books, or toys, consider selling them on a marketplace or donating them to a thrift store.
20) Support Ethical, Cruelty-Free Companies
One of the best things you can do to be sustainable is to shop with your values.
Mustela is a certified B Corp, committed to making products with an average of 95% ingredients of natural origin and no questionable ingredients.
Love Mother Earth!
Now that you’ve got a list of smart sustainability switches you can do at home, it’s time to get started by being more mindful of your choices and their impact.
One switch we’re sure you’ll love? Our Reusable Eco Wipes. Crafted with GOTS Certified Cotton, swapping to these is a choice you can feel good about. They can be used for everything from cleaning up baby to removing makeup.
At Mustela, our gentle, high-quality products are made for your family’s health and designed with the environment in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there disadvantages to making sustainable choices at home?
Although there are short-term disadvantages to making sustainable choices — namely, extra time, attention, and money — these quickly turn into long-term advantages as habits are formed and money is saved thanks to reusability.
How can I make my grocery shopping more sustainable?
There are many ways to make grocery shopping more sustainable. For instance, you can use reusable grocery bags, shop local, and buy in bulk. You could even invest in an electric car or a hybrid to run your errands.
How are smart homes sustainable?
Smart homes are energy efficient thanks to smart appliances that consume less power and automated systems that get real-time data.
For instance, a smart home may have a thermostat that’s set to turn the heat on only when someone is home. It may also have a leak detector that can identify excess water consumption.
