8 Easy Ways to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly

The state of the environment is starting to look pretty bleak nowadays, but we’re also getting better access to things that are making it easy for us to make eco-friendly choices. Most of us could certainly change a thing or two in our homes to make them a little greener.

We’ve compiled a list of the ten easiest things you can do to make a big difference in making your home more environmentally friendly:

1. Install energy-efficient lights
We’re pretty sure this is the easiest on the list, and one of the best. If you do a bit of research, you might even find that your council or a local company who gives out free starter kits with a few energy-saving lightbulbs to send you on your way.

2. Install low-flow shower heads
This will take you next to no time at all, and now that they’ve been on a market for a while, they’re relatively cheap and typically come with all of the fittings you need. You’ll barely notice a pressure difference from your old shower head at all. Low-flush toilets are also a good idea for the bathroom.

3. Reduce the amount of packaging you bring into it
The average person in Western societies produces around 1.5 tonnes of waste each year. And it’s something that is easily avoidable. Bring your canvas bags to the supermarket, or go one step further and find an eco-friendly store near you that lets you bring your own container to scoop ingredients into so you can reduce the plastic and packaging around your home.

4. Solar power
Putting solar panels on your roof isn’t a cheap option, we know. But if you invest the money now, you’ll only reap the benefits in the long term. If you don’t have the money (or the sun exposure) for it to be practical for you to install them for your entire home, then an option is to just install enough to heat your water.

5. Rainwater tanks
This is another investment that you’ll never regret making in the future. Collecting and storing the rainwater that falls onto your roof seems like an obvious solution, but more of us need to be doing it. You don’t have to buy any fancy filtering systems – it’s just great to use to water your garden.

6. Get a compost bin
We know you’ve seen and heard it all before, (most likely in your science class in school), but composting is actually really valuable. It’s a great way to save you money, save water, and prevent the carbon emissions created when transporting soil from being released into the atmosphere. There’s also a compost bin in the making called HomeBiogas that decomposes kitchen waste and turns it into gas for your stove. It’s currently crowdfunding, so if you’re feeling generous, help make it a thing.

7. Sort, separate, and recycle
It’s likely your council already has a good recycling system in place for you to use. Make sure you’re using it, and using it right. It will be easier for you and for the recycling company – and you risk wasting all of the items you intended to recycle if you get something unrecyclable in the mix.

8. Buy efficient appliances
Most large appliances now have energy and water star ratings on them now. It’s a good idea to spend a little bit of extra money here, as you’ll end up saving money later on your bills – and feeling better about yourself for helping the planet, too. Also, when your appliances are a little worse for wear and tear (or just don’t match your décor anymore) – fix it, don’t throw it out and buy a new one.

Don’t put it off any longer. Make a project of this list and see how many you can tick off by the end of your next free weekend. It’ll be worth it in the long run, and if you won’t do it for the planet, then at least do it for your pockets.

If this article inspired you at all, or if you have anything to add to the list, let us know in the comments below!