7 Common Household Items You Should Ditch for a Greener, More Sustainable Home
The world is getting greener, and this is thanks to the collective effort from individual homeowners across the world. That’s because small changes made by a large number of people can have an enormous impact. But if you feel like you need to increase your sustainability efforts, here are 10 items you should consider throwing away.
Plastic Water Bottles
Single-use plastic is one of the biggest contributors to sustainability issues, and in recent years, many of us have tried to cut down on the amount of plastic we use. One of the easiest ways to achieve this is by avoiding purchasing bottled water from grocery stores.
Instead, purchase a water filter and enjoy filtered water from your own fridge without the unnecessary plastic.
Single-Use Plastic Bags
Sticking with plastic, there is no excuse to still be using plastic carrier bags to carry groceries. Most stores now offer more sustainable alternatives but they can also be picked up for a cheap price online.
Toxic Cleaning Products
Most cleaning products contain harmful chemicals which can be damaging to the environment when produced, used and disposed of.
Consider if natural substances like vinegar and water can be used instead. Alternatively, explore the many brands that now offer nontoxic, natural cleaning products.
Air Fresheners
Toxic chemicals can also be found in air fresheners which are then sprayed directly into our homes. As a result, there is a growing number of health concerns relating to air fresheners.
To improve the eco-friendliness of your home as well as your own health, explore more natural ways to freshen up your home including essential oils and fragrant flowers.
Paper Towels
Many of us still use paper towels and kitchen rolls to clean up messes and spillages. These products have an extremely short life and are only used once.
A more environmentally friendly solution comes in the form of rags and cloths made from materials such as synthetic fibre as these items can be washed and resued.
Electric Garden Tools
We can’t eliminate electrical appliances from our lives. But in some cases, it would appear we have got a little lazy. For instance, small garden tools such as pruners have become available as electrical alternatives to physical tools.
We recommend swapping small electrical tools for a bit of extra effort where possible!
Incandescent Light Bulbs
Most people have already reconsidered the bulbs they use to light their homes. If you are still using incandescent or halogen bulbs, you should be aware of their high carbon footprint.
Switching to LED bulbs isn’t just better for the environment, they will also last longer, making them a more cost-effective option.
There are many other household items which are bad for the environment. However, we feel the list above contains products that can easily be avoided and substituted. We’ve also tried to focus on offering alternatives that are healthier or more efficient in some way. If you’re interested in other ways you can care for the planet, check out our post on sourcing eco-friendly amenities for your home!