Eco Conscious Ideas for Your Home
Being more eco-conscious is essential. It means creating a home that meets your needs without sacrificing the needs of future generations.
There is one thing I want to remind you of. Being eco-conscious is not about what you didn’t do yesterday or last month. It is about what you do today and tomorrow. There is no guilt here. So why not start today to make a few changes to your lifestyle and make a difference?
There is No Such Place as Away
Last week, I wrote a blog post sharing Summer 2024 Home Decor Trends. The first trend I listed was Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Decor.
More people are becoming conscious of their environmental impact and are choosing décor items that are ethically sourced and made from sustainable materials.
Years ago, I attended a discussion about sustainability and being more eco-conscious. My greatest takeaway from that discussion was the statement, “There is no such place as away.”
What does that mean? When you throw something away, away does not exist.
It has to go somewhere.
I wanted to share some thoughts about how we have become more eco-conscious at home. It is easy to get overwhelmed with sustainability and the environment. The numbers bantered about on a global level regarding sustainability, carbon footprint, and recycling are staggering. While it can seem overwhelming, there are small steps that we can all take to do our part.
Here are some thoughts that maybe you didn’t consider eco-conscious but help our planet immensely.
I consider it essential to do my part to save the planet, and I am sharing some thoughts about how I have become more eco-conscious.
Shop Vintage
Do you ever think that when you buy vintage, you are recycling? Shopping vintage can mean everything from purchasing a piece of vintage furniture to a remodeling project using reclaimed supplies such as barn wood or repurposed hardwood flooring.
As the saying goes, what is old is new again.
Look at you, already making a difference to the planet by vintage shopping.
Eco-Conscious Changes Inside Your Home
Stop Using Water Bottles
I always try to make changes in our home with ecology in mind. A few years ago, we installed a water dispenser that keeps track of how many water bottles have been saved by using the dispenser instead.
Since we installed it, we have saved 14,649 water bottles. We drink a LOT of water, but I had no idea how many water bottles we could have used. Yikes!
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Shop Bamboo Items
Recently, I learned about some products made with bamboo. Bamboo creates a vast variety of products, including clothing, sheets, towels, furniture, toothbrushes, and straws. The list goes on and on. Due to its fast-growing nature (bamboo can grow up to three feet a day), bamboo is naturally renewable. While it is growing, bamboo also absorbs carbon dioxide and produces oxygen.
So I began buying some bamboo items, and I have to say, I am sold! I bought sheets and blankets made from bamboo. Now, if you had told me that bamboo sheets and blankets would be soft, I would have laughed out loud. Can I tell you how amazingly soft they are? I was so pleasantly surprised!
Amazon Aware
These are worth a try. Amazon also has a line called Amazon Aware. All the products are Climate Pledge Friendly, making shopping so easy!
Make Changes in Your Kitchen and Bath
In the kitchen, I made some effortless changes. I bought reusable items, such as Reusable sandwich bags and beeswax wrap. I also purchased some eco-conscious produce bags so I don’t have to use the plastic ones from the market.
My favorite easy change was to switch to compostable coffee pods. This San Francisco Bay Coffee is excellent, and I no longer feel guilty about using pods!
I swapped out makeup removal wipes in the bathroom for washable makeup pads. They even come with their bag for washing. Super smart! This change is one that you are going to want to make.
Instead of the usual cotton swabs, I bought 100% bamboo swabs with a pointy end and a round end. Oh my gosh, a pointy-end cotton swab—where have you been my whole life?
I also changed the cleaning products I was using. I quit buying brand-name cleaners and started purchasing only natural cleaning products like Mrs. Meyers and Seventh Generation.
Such an easy change that, while not making a huge difference, will contribute to a cumulative change.
At the kitchen sink, I have a lot of eco-conscious items that I use every day. I love my Eco Friendly Non-Scratch Biodegradable Scrubber Sponges and a Kitchen Dish Scrubber Brush with Bamboo Handle. Composting in our town became mandatory on January 1, and I used a countertop bin with a charcoal filter and a composting tumbler. It has made a difference, not only in the amount of trash, but I also use the compost in my garden. It’s not hard, doesn’t smell, and it’s just a habit. So give it a try!
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Eco-Conscious Changes for Outdoors
A few years ago, we converted our pool from chlorine to saltwater. This change eliminated harsh chemicals used in the pool and stored for use. The pool now requires less maintenance, so we’re saving money, too. A double bonus!
We also changed our lawn and garden products to more eco-conscious brands. I love to entertain on our lawn, so it is essential to reduce the use of chemicals for the health of people, pets, and the lawn itself. I also have several raised beds for vegetable gardening. These new products are better not only for the environment but also for us, and my lawn and garden are both healthy, lush, and green.
Let’s Work Together and Take Eco-Conscious Baby Steps
I have shared a few ways that I have made thoughtful choices to be more eco-conscious and environmentally supportive. They weren’t hard. I didn’t spend any more money; I just made different choices.
I know it’s Memorial Day, so why not make a few changes to your daily life today to make a difference? If every person reading this blog made a few changes for the next year, we can make a difference!
We can do many small things that add up, and by making a few simple changes, we can all do the right thing.
Will you join me?
My Favorite Gardening Must Haves!
Watch My Amazon Live
I hosted an Amazon Live titled Sustainable Items at Home. This is a great chance to hear why I am passionate about these sustainable items and ask any questions you may have!
Click here to watch any of the Live Broadcasts on my feed.
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I love these ideas!! I have such a struggle with finding sustainable products made in the USA. I feel torn between the emissions generated from transporting these green products to me across the ocean, the manufacturing of these products in countries where the emissions from factories aren’t as strict as in the USA when they’re made in China and also the fact I worry about the humanitarian issues with labor in other countries. I can’t figure out if morally I can turn a blind eye to those things or turn a blind eye to throwing away disposable products like Ziplocs made in the USA. It’s such a struggle!
Please do not purchase items that are made in China. I know it is pretty difficult these days since almost everything comes from there, but just try as best you can not to purchase them. Also, invasive plants are a danger to the beauty that is around us. We always buy natives and living near a wooded area, if we see an invasive choking out a native, we try to eliminate it – not with chemicals, but merely by cutting at the base the invasive. As long as you continue to cut it down, it will eventually die. There are other things we do as well – clean up around your home and adjoining property (if not occupied) of trash and recycle. And try try try not to purchase bottled water. This is causing so much additional trash in our landfills. Thank you for your wonderful ideas.
Thanks for all of the great tips for the environment! I already do a lot of these things and others but your post is the first I had heard of the compostable coffee pods. I love my brand of coffee but I ordered some new coffee to try that has compostable pods. I am so excited about this because I hate the regular pods.
I am glad you liked this!
Excellent post, lots of great ideas/products! A few years ago I switched to the laundry sheets to eliminate the clunky plastic bottles going to a landfill or out to sea. A small envelope holds many loads and there are several brands available. Clothes are clean, no sticky mess and doing a bit for the environment.
What a great tip! Thanks Elaine 🙌🏻
I didn’t know there are compostible coffee pods. Thank you for making us aware.
Aren’t they cool!? This brand of coffee is delicious too ☺️
We use reusable coffee pods and we’ve had them for years. Nothing to recycle and you can use your own favorite coffee. Saves a lot of money too! Here’s the Amazon link: https://amzn.to/4bwLloI I think they make them for Nespresso too.
I’ve seen these too! Very cool. Thanks for the link!