6 simple ways to have a more sustainable home

Sustainability isn't a trend, it's a lifestyle change that is going to have to be put in place if we are ever going to solve the problem. So, how can we make little changes to every aspect of our lives, to ensure we are doing the best we can to contribute to the sustainability solution? In this blog I am going to be explaining 6 easy ways you can improve your environmental impact around the home.

1. Meal plan

The UK currently has a huge issue when it comes to food waste with 7.3 million tonnes of food being wasted every year. Make sure your food doesn't get wasted by planning what and how you will eat throughout the week. Take time out your Sunday to plan what meals you will have and make a list of the exact ingredients needed for those meals. This way, you are only buying what you need and therefore limiting the amount of waste, as well as staying on top of the contents of your fridge so as to not overbuy or overconsume.

2.Upcycle your furniture

It's not only clothes that can be upcycled! Why not add a lick of paint to an old bedside table or screw some new handles onto your old chest of drawers. We are all about giving old things a new lease of life, rather than buying more.

3. Buy second-hand in all areas

Similar to the previous point, but places like Facebook marketplace are great for finding cheap, second-hand furniture pieces - some people are even willing just to do a swap with you. It's another great way to find some really interesting and one of a kind items, without adding to the overconsumption problem.

4. Grow some of your own fruit and veg

Definitely easier said than done, but nonetheless a great way to be more sustainable and self-sufficient. Some of the easiest fruit and veg to grow yourself include:

• Potatoes

• Peas

• Spring onions

• Broad Beans

• Runner Beans

• Herbs

• Tomatoes

• Strawberries

5. Save water!

A super simple one is to turn taps off whilst you are brushing your teeth, don't leave the shower running whilst you are getting ready and wash your fruit and veg in a bowl of water rather than scrubbing them under the tap. Water is precious and with nearly a fifth of all the water pumped through our water pipes getting wasted, anything you can do to save the precious liquid should be put in place.

6. No single use plastic

Finally, eliminate your plastic water bottles, food bags and cling film. These are un-necessary additions to the plastics polluting our oceans. There are plenty of alternatives on the market such as reuseable water bottles, beeswax paper cling film, tupperware boxes and net bags, that all encourage reuse and eliminate the need for single use plastic.

I hope these 6 simple steps can aid you in making your home a sustainable one, without having to make drastic changes, remove anything from your routine and prove being more sustainable is a manageable lifestyle shift.