Sustainability can feel like something that belongs to other people. People who have the time, the money, and the energy to think about every single purchase they make. But honestly, most of the changes that actually make a difference are really simple. You don’t need to overhaul your whole life. You just need to start making a few small swaps.
Here are some easy ways to get started.
Use What You’ve Got
Before you buy anything new, have a think about whether something you already own could do the same job. Old t-shirts make great cleaning cloths. Glass jars are brilliant for storing food. You don’t need to rush out and buy a load of “eco” products to live more sustainably. Using what you already have is one of the best things you can do.
Sort Out Drinking Water
If you’re buying a lot of bottled water, that’s a lot of plastic adding up over the course of a year. It’s also expensive! Switching to a water filter is such a simple change. A jug filter or one that fits straight onto your tap takes away that slightly odd taste that puts a lot of people off drinking tap water. You’ll save money, go through far less plastic, and you’ll probably end up drinking more water too which is always a good thing.
Make a Few Swaps in the Kitchen
This doesn’t have to be done all at once. Just picking one or two things to change is a good start.
Beeswax wraps instead of cling film are a good one. A food waste caddy for scraps means less going to landfill. Buying loose fruit and veg where you can cuts down on unnecessary packaging. None of these things take much effort once you get used to them, and they do add up over time.
And in the Bathroom
Shampoo bars are worth trying. They last longer than bottled shampoo and most come without any packaging at all. Reusable cotton pads are another easy swap if you currently use disposable ones. Small things, but they add up.
Think About Your Energy Use
You don’t need solar panels to make a difference! Switching to LED bulbs if you haven’t already is a quick win. Unplugging chargers and devices when you’re not using them saves more energy than most people realise. Dropping your thermostat by even one degree over winter can make a noticeable difference to your bills.
Washing clothes at 30 degrees is another good one. It really doesn’t affect how clean they come out, but it uses less energy than a higher temperature wash.
Buy a Bit Differently
You don’t have to become a completely different kind of shopper. Just a few tweaks to your existing habits are enough.
Buying in bulk where you can reduces packaging. Choosing seasonal produce, especially from local suppliers, cuts down on food miles and usually tastes better anyway. And before you buy something new, it’s always worth having a quick look to see if you can find it second-hand. Whether it’s clothes, kitchen stuff, books, or furniture, buying used keeps things in use for longer and saves money at the same time.
Don’t Try to Do Everything at Once
Trying to change all of your habits overnight is a pretty reliable way to end up changing nothing. Pick one thing from this list that feels easy and start there. Once that becomes normal, try something else. That’s really all there is to it.
Nobody is perfectly sustainable and that’s fine. It’s about doing a bit more where you can, not being perfect all the time.