When we think about sustainability, it’s likely that we’re drawn towards composting systems, solar systems and debates surrounding global energy policies. These are all important topics to explore, but they are complex issues that are often far above our ability to make much of an impact. Getting involved in the larger issues can be helpful, but there are plenty of smaller changes we can make in our daily lives that can have a significant impact.
A Brief Primer
It’s easy to believe that making smaller changes will not make much of a difference. This is incorrect, even small daily efforts add up over time and they don’t take long to implement. You can start immediately with changes in your home, kitchen, shopping habits, phone use and more.
The best part about this is that these eco-friendly changes are free, they are likely to save you money and you can inspire others to follow your lead. As an added bonus, it’s fun to implement small hacks that help you and the planet at the same time!
Reusable Water Bottles
This is a common swap, but it bears repeating because it can have dramatic effects. The latest modern reusable water bottles are available in fun designs, such as: collapsible travel formats, stainless steel, sleek glass forms and more.
They are extremely affordable and you can avoid paying for plastic water bottles that pollute the environment. You can filter your water at home, chill it and bring it with you for refreshment on the go. Keep a spare bottle in the car and have on-hand to ensure that you can always rehydrate when you need to.
Reusable “Unpaper” Towels
Paper towels are useful, but in an ideal world we wouldn’t use them to limit the logging industry and protect the forests. That said, we need something to wipe up the kitchen messes and that’s where “unpaper” towels offer a handy alternative.
Instead of generating waste you can make swap to soft cloth towels that you can wash and reuse multiple times. Use them for cleaning, spills and even as napkins and you can cut down your waste dramatically. If you want to really go the extra mile, cut up your old sheets and T-shirts and use them instead.
Reusable Travel Mugs
Those single-use coffee cups are a wasteful way to enjoy your favorite caffeine fix. A simple swap is to use a reusable travel mug and many cafes will offer a discount if you bring your own mug.
This is a fun change because there are a wide variety of materials and styles to choose and it’s exciting to carry one. As an added bonus, your latte will stay warm longer and it will taste better when it’s not sitting in paper cup glue!
Reusable Totes
A single-use plastic bag is the literal embodiment of environmental waste and they have fallen seriously out of favor in recent years. Making a swap to a reusable tote is a smart choice and they often have foldable handy pouches for keys and other small essentials. When you’re not at the store they can do double-duty as a gym bag or handy tote for a trip to the beach. Keeping a stash in the car or on hand near the door for those times when you need a sturdy bag will mean you never need to worry about bags again.
Biodegradable Cleaners
A trip down the cleaning aisle as the store will reveal countless bottles of fake odor chemical cleaners that are harsh on your skin, lungs and surfaces around your home. Additionally, when these chemicals are flushed away, they pollute our waterways.
As an alternative consider a swap to biodegradable cleaners that are kind and effective without leaving harmful residues behind. They may cost a little more, but they are often packages in biodegradable packing and they are better for your health and wellbeing.
An even better option is to make your own home cleaners using baking soda, vinegar and essential oils. You can find lots of homemade cleaning recipes online, they are effective and affordable and they don’t generate those sickly chemical odors.
Food Reduction Apps
These are an excellent way to avoid tossing leftovers that are lurking in the refrigerator. Food waste is a massive contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and they are easy to mitigate or avoid entirely. Three of our current favorites are Olio, Flashfood and Too Good To Go which rescue food from local eateries for major discounts. This is a great way to save money on food and save the planet at the same time.
Wool Dryer Balls
Dryer sheets may smell pleasant, but they are single-use items and they are filled with chemicals. Swapping to wool dryer balls makes more sense because they last for years and they cut down the drying times to reduce your energy bills. They can be scented with your favorite essential oils if you need that extra laundry odor.
Thrifting and Clothing Swaps
Keeping up with the latest fast fashion trends can be expensive and it has an environmental impact that can be avoided. Sustainable fashion is possible and it doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to spend hundreds of dollars on a pair of organic cotton jeans.
As an alternative check out online resale apps like Depop and Poshmark, local thrift stores and even clothing swaps with friends and family. This is a great way to get a wardrobe refresh without spending too much money and harming the environment. As an added bonus, second-hand higher-end apparel and vintage clothes tend to last longer.
Silicone Lids and Beeswax Wraps
One of the most polluting materials is discarded plastic wrap and it can be easily replaced with silicone lids and beeswax wraps. The former is self-explantory, but the latter for the uninitiated are cotton beeswax infused strips that can be moulded around containers and food.
These wraps are reusable and when they do eventually fail they can be composted. The silicone lids are washable and durable and they can be stretched to cover dishes, bowls and cut fruit. After you’ve made the switch to these products you’re unlikely to retire to annoying clingy plastic wrap that’s hard to cut.
Walking, Public Transit and Biking
A car is a useful mode of transport and it’s unlikely that you could live without one if you live outside of a city or large town. But, for those shorter trips to grab one or two items from the local store or to visit a neighbor you can choose a more eco-friendly option.
A brisk walk or bike ride is great for your health and it helps to reduce emissions. If you need to travel further, look for reliable public transit options. Even if you only swap a couple of trips per week, you will notice a difference in your fuel bills and your overall sense of health and wellbeing.
LED Light Bulbs
This is a super simple swap, LED lightbulbs last longer and they consume less energy than regular light bulbs. They are now available in a wide range of colors and formats to suit every light fitting. Although an LED lightbulb may cost a little more upfront, it will more than pay for itself in the long run.
Safety Razors
As the name suggests, disposable razors are designed to be used a few times and then they are tossed away. Because they are made from plastic this adds to the considerable volume of plastic waste that a home generates each year.
Making a swap to sturdy metal safety razors with replaceable blades makes more sense. They tend to give you a closer shave, they last longer and they are cheaper in the long run. As an added bonus, the metal blades can be recycled too.
Reusable Food Containers
On those busier days, eating takeout can be a real time saver, but the amount of packaging waste it generates is considerable. Some of your favorite spots may allow you to bring your own containers for takeout and leftovers and fill them for you. Certain cities even have container programs for people to borrow and return dishes. This is kind of like a library system for food containers and it’s proven to be a popular option.
Silicone or Compostable Sponges
The conventional sponges that many of us use end up in landfills and they shed microplastics into the environment. Reusable silicone scrubbers are a gentler option and they last a lot longer than a regular sponge. Another option is a natural fiber sponge which is compostable and it breaks down quickly. When you think about how often you toss sponges, it’s easy to see that even this small change can make a difference.
Bamboo Toothbrush
A standard plastic toothbrush is regularly replaced and it won’t break down when it ends up in the landfill. A better option is a bamboo toothbrush which looks stylish and it works exactly like a regular toothbrush. When it’s time to make a change, simply pull out the bristles (which are not compostable) and the handle can be composted.
Reusable Feminine Hygiene Products
A period can produce a great deal of waste and many products are not recyclable and heavily reliant on plastic materials. Making a swap to reusable cloth pads, period underwear and menstrual cups can help to reduce waste. These products have improved considerably in recent years, they are comfortable and a cost-effective option. Bonus points: they can be better for your body, too.
Solid Soap, Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
Swapping to solid bars that are compact and better for travel will eliminate the need for plastic bottles and containers. Many people that make the switch are surprised at the cost and convenience and they don’t miss lugging around those larger bottles.
Paperless Billing
This only takes a few minutes to set up and you can save yourself the hassle of dealing with paper bills and the resulting waste for the future. Virtually every company now has a “go paperless” payment option that you can take advantage of today. You will have fewer papers to file and no excess clutter in your mailbox.
Plastic-Free Deodorants
A standard deodorant tube is a challenge to recycle, but there are brands that sell plastic-free alternatives using other materials, such as: glass jars, cardboard tubes or refills. These are effective products, but they tend to be made with fewer chemicals and those that make the switch seem to prefer them.
Sharing Tips and Tricks
Swapping tips and tricks with family and friends to improve sustainability is more fun than going it alone. Sharing the little wins will help to normalize the habits and the small changes are compounded with more participants.
The Ripple Effect of Tiny Sustainable Choices
| The Energy You Bring | How It Feels in Daily Life | Why It Actually Matters | The Bigger Picture Glow-Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Effortless Win | No stress, no overthinking | Easy changes stack fast | You realize impact doesn’t have to be hard |
| The Wallet Hug | Little savings sneak in | Eco often = cheaper long-term | Your budget breathes easier |
| The Social Flex | Friends notice the vibe shift | Sparks convos without preaching | You low-key inspire others |
| The Future-Proof Move | Habits that last beyond trends | You feel ahead of the curve | Builds a lifestyle that ages well |
| The Collective Boost | Small changes meet millions of others | Tiny ripples turn tidal waves | You’re part of something bigger than yourself |
How to use Tech to Improve Sustainability
Many people confuse a switch to sustainability as a rejection of modern tech and embraces more traditional values. This may be the case for some hardcore people, but for most of us there are apps and tools that can help fit better habits into our daily lives.
There is no need to unplug from tech and it can be a smart move if you want to make a positive impact on the environment. Using a carpool or ride-sharing app can save you money on journeys and reduce your emissions at the same time. Choosing energy-saving plugs and times can reduce the phantom-energy that’s consumed from your devices that are left in standby mode. A carbon tracking app such as Capture or JouleBug will help you identify the impact of your choices.
How to Identify and Swap Out Unsustainable Materials at Home
This may seem like an overwhelming task, but it’s pretty simple and it starts with a quick eco-audit. Grab a notebook or use a phone app and tour your home to look for single-use items. Evaluate if they are difficult to recycle. Two prime examples are: foil or plastic pouches and mixed material packaging.
Check for reusable alternatives for toiletries, kitchenware and cleaning products using the list above. Finally look at the waste water and energy caused by inefficient appliances, leaky faucets and aging lightbulbs. Take your time, you don’t need to find everything at once and if you feel overwhelmed concentrate your efforts in a single room of your home:
Bathroom
Check for disposable razors, plastic bottles, microfiber cloths that shed microplastics and other plastic products. Make a change to safety razors, cotton or hemp washcloths, solid shampoo, soap and conditioner bars.
Kitchen
Check for paper towels, takeout containers, plastic grocery bags, single-use coffee pods and filters, chemical cleaning sprays, plastic wrap and disposable sandwich bags. Switch to glass jars, unpaper towels, stainless steel containers, silicone pouches and lids and beeswax strips for food storage. Choose a biodegradable cleaning spray or make your own with baking soda, vinegar and your favorite essential oils.
Living Room
Check for synthetic throws and pillows that shed microplastics. Switch out old incandescent light bulbs and electronic devices that are always plugged in. Unsubscribe from paper magazines, make the switch to digital billing, install LED bulbs and use smart power strips to cut phantom power energy drains.
Bedrooms
Check for rarely worn clothes that can be exchanged for other items of apparel. Make a switch to a mattress that has a recycling plan and choose natural fiber bedding over polyester-heavy alternatives.
Laundry Area
Check for single-use dryer sheets, plastic detergent jugs and hot washes for every laundry load. Consider a change to cold wash cycles that are gentler on your fabrics and to save energy. Switch to wool dryer balls to shorten the drying times and add your favorite essential oils if you want a “laundry fragrance”. Switch to concentrated detergent strips and bulk powder stored in cardboard to reduce plastic waste.
The Entryway
Check for disposable coffee cups at the door or in the car. There may be a pile of cheap umbrellas that have seen better days and a stack of single-use plastic bags. Invest in a reusable water bottle and travel mug and a durable umbrella. Keep a stack of reusable tote bags in your trunk and by the door to ensure that you have a bag when you need it.
What Sustainability Swap Will You Make?
Make swapping easy by focusing on a couple of swaps per room to get started. Always finish using what you have before you make the switch to a sustainable version. It’s important to remember that the greenest option you have is usually the one you already have. After all, resources have already been expended to create the item you have. Find your local refill and recycling stations to understand your swapping options. Make a swap zone by the door, in your car, in the pantry, by the coffee machine and anywhere else that you’re planning to make a change. Finally, celebrate your small wins and remember that those victories will stack up over the long-term.
