22 ways to be sustainable during 2023

In recent years we have seen people become more conscious about their waste. Many people want to do their best to recycle and reuse their household items. Here are our best tips to become more sustainable during the rest of 2023.

Energy

1. Switch to LED bulbs

On average, LED bulbs require 75% less energy compared to a normal incandescent bulb. Not only that but they can run for up to 35 times longer. This switch is one of the easiest ways to make the transition to clean energy.

2. Plug large electronics into a smart power strip

All of your appliances and other electrical devices are stealing your energy even when they aren’t in use. They are sometimes called energy vampires. Smart power strips will cut off the power to your electrical items when you aren’t using them. This means you never have to worry about remembering to switch everything off.

3. Get an energy audit

An audit can help you with your energy costs. They will be able to tell you how the property uses energy to give you solutions to save you money and make your home more sustainable. Other benefits of doing an audit include reducing the damage to our environment and prolonging the lifespan of your energy system. 

4. Check all weatherproofing on windows

It is super easy to waste energy when you have windows and doors letting heat out and cold air in. A small amount of DIY can help you save your money as well as prevent the effects of greenhouse gases on our environment. Weather stripping and caulk are your easiest options!

Water

5. Switch to reusable water bottles

Recent years have been filled with images and videos of our plastics ending up with our wildlife. Even with this proof, there are still 50 billion plastic water bottles being used annually in America alone. Even with people recycling, a shocking 91% of plastics don’t get recycled at the correct facility. We suggest for every household switch to reusable bottles made out of sustainable materials such as glass or metal. Super easy way to make your home more sustainable.

6. Install a low-flow showerhead or a shower timer

Unsurprisingly, showers are one of the quickest ways to increase your water bill in your home. A source we found states that a typical American will shower for roughly 8.2 minutes which uses a shocking 2.1 gallons per minute. We suggest taking shorter showers and even using low-flow showerheads to reduce water consumption.

7. Install a toilet buddy

Toilets are used constantly throughout the day which uses a surprising amount of water. If your household toilet is outdated it could be using 3-7x more water with each singular flush. If upgrading your toilet isn’t an option, look into a toilet buddy which can reduce the volume of each flush. To do it yourself, simply pour extra water down with each flush.

Food

8. Compost your food and yard waste

We love hearing about customers composting their food waste! It is such an easy way to make your home more sustainable. Pop your food scraps into a tub in your freezer and move them into the compost bin when the tub is full. Compost can then be used for a range of different things, including improving the growth of fruit or vegetables that you choose to grow at home.

9. Grow your own herbs

Following on from that last point, growing your own produce is a great way to improve the sustainability of your home. If you’re a beginner, herbs are a great starting point! They can help add flavour and spice to your foods and come with an added sense of achievement when you’ve grown them yourself. The easiest ones, to begin with, are usually basil, oregano, thyme, mint, and parsley.

10. Shop at your local farmers’ market

Why not try a different approach to shopping instead of your normal supermarkets? Farmers’ markets are filled with local homegrown produce. Bring a re-useable bag and pick up tons of different items to make your home more sustainable. 

11. Zero waste your food shopping

We have a whole article on how to start making your household zero-waste! We will always encourage customers to try to recycle as much as possible as well as buy more sustainable produce. Try shops that operate on a refill basis are the best if you’re trying the zero waste route. Try your best to purchase items that are packaged in paper or tin cans to avoid plastic waste.

12. Reduce your meat intake

There are various reasons why reducing the amount of meat you eat can affect sustainability. Firstly, the production of meat needs a huge amount of water, just 1kg of beef can use up to 20,000 liters of water. Not only that but it also causes a large number of greenhouse gases, this happens due to the gases and manure produced by certain animals as well as land use and the use of pesticides. A study stated that approximately 65% of man-made nitrous oxide was caused by the farming sector as well as 37% of man-made methane emissions too.

Waste

13. Follow the protocols for proper recycling

We love preaching about how to dispose of your waste properly! Here are a few tips to get the most out of recycling. 

• Plastic items are usually recycled based on the number on their packaging(1-7). 
• Both paper and cardboard should be placed in the paper section of your local recycling center.
• The following items shouldn’t be placed into your recycling bins: Caps, paper with wax, plastic bags, plastic film, and Styrofoam.
• Any packaging from food should be cleaned before being placed into your recycling bin.

Check out our tips for how to make the most of your recycling bins here.

14. Deny all plastic bags!

As we’ve seen with the charges on plastic bags, the UK is discouraging all customers from using them. Invest in some reusable strong shopping bags to keep in your car or bag. No need to buy the cheap ones that end up in your bin anymore. 

15. Shop at charity shops

Second-hand items getting a new lease of life is a great way to make your household more sustainable. You’d be surprised at how many good items, for both clothing and homeware, you’d find in your local charity shop! 

16. Purchase sustainable toothbrushes and reusable ear swabs

A normal plastic toothbrush will take over 400 years to waste away in landfill. We encourage all customers to purchase bamboo toothbrushes that are 100% biodegradable as well as antimicrobial. Electric toothbrushes aren’t safe either as they contain batteries which can also cause major harm if thrown into general waste. If you are using a skip to clear rubbish from your home, make sure to check our waste restrictions before throwing these types of items in. A great choice for small household clearances is our 4-yard skip. Find more information here.

Another health and beauty item that should be switched is cotton bus/ear swabs. These tiny items are easily lost in landfill and recycling bins, which means they can end up in our environment, therefore, causing danger to wildlife. Switch to eco-friendly types that can be washed and reused.

17. Switch from paper towels to reusable rags

Paper towels are regularly used in all homes, they’re very easy to soak up a little spill in the kitchen. However, the masses of paper towels in our waste are not environmentally friendly. Reusable clothes are much more sustainable and can even do the job better than paper towels. Make the switch now to make improve your home’s cleaning supplies. 

18. Purchase recycled toilet paper

We flush a shocking 270,000 trees away per day, almost 10% of that can be blamed on toilet paper. Switching your usual tissue to recycled paper can improve this statistic by a mile. Check out your local markets for sustainable, repurposed toilet rolls.

Ecology

19. Put up a native birdseed bird feeder

You can bring wildlife to your home by displaying a natural bird feeder. To feed the local bird in your area, always choose native birdseed and avoid all items that include sugared and dried fruits.

20. Install a solitary beehive

Save the bees! Bees are incredibly important to our environment. You can build a bee hive to give them shelter when pollinating. Add one to your garden to make your home even sweeter.

21. Plant native plants

If you’re thinking about how to help the ecosystems in your area, plant some native flowers and plants. Supporting the wildlife in your area is the best way to help the ecosystems grow stronger. Take a look here to find the easiest plants to grow now.

Travel

22. Reduce your use of vehicles

If you are passionate about helping the environment and making our world more sustainable, think about how much you drive or use public transport. If you live in a city, consider biking or using e-scooters if you don’t want to walk. Cars, vans, and other vehicles contribute massively to greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. If you have to drive, check out electric cars for a sustainable alternative.