Eco-Friendly Family Living: Small Changes That Add Up

Apparently, some 89% of Aussies deem living a more sustainable lifestyle to be important. But only 43% of them believe they can afford to do so. That is according to the latest findings of the biannual Pulse survey carried out by the strategic consulting and insights company Pollinate.

However, contrary to this belief, living a more sustainable life doesn’t mean you need to completely overhaul your home or spend a fortune on new products. In fact, it’s often the small, consistent changes that make the biggest impact, especially when the whole family gets involved.

If you’ve been thinking about how to reduce waste, use fewer plastics, and raise kids with eco-awareness, this post is for you. Here are six family-friendly ways you can start making more sustainable choices right from your own home.

1. Go Vegan

There is no denying that meat is quite expensive at the moment. A kilo of diced lamb or beef will set you back the best part of $30 at the butcher's.

But when you also consider that over 711 million land animals are slaughtered for food (both domestic and export) in Australia (according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), it is a compelling reason to make the switch to veganism.

Aside from being cheaper to make, the process of producing plant-based meals from farm to plate also emits as much as 90% fewer greenhouse gases than conventional meat dishes.

If you can’t bear the thought of fully giving up bacon sandwiches and Sunday roasts, you don’t have to go fully plant-based overnight. Instead, even committing to enjoying one or two meat-free days a week can significantly reduce your carbon footprint.

For those who aren’t the best in the kitchen or are pushed for time with busy work schedules, signing up for vegan meal delivery with Soulara can be a great solution. Their ready-made meals are plant-based, tasty, and delivered straight to your door – all you need to do is heat them up.

They provide a simple way to enjoy eco-friendly meals without the stress of cooking from scratch every night.

2. Reduce Household Waste One Bin at a Time

Astonishingly, Australian households are responsible for sending over 25 mega tonnes of waste to landfill every year. Much of this is single-use plastic or food waste they toss out.

We can all significantly reduce this wastage just by making a few simple changes to the way we live. For instance, use recyclable bags instead of plastic, beeswax wraps rather than cling film and bamboo toothbrushes as opposed to regular ones.

Buying loose fruit and veg instead of pre-packaged options is another good way to reduce your carbon footprint, as is packing school lunches in stainless steel or bamboo containers.

In addition, asking for your morning latte to be poured into your reusable cup and bringing your own stainless steel straw for slushies and juices will also make a difference.

3. Start Composting at Home

Composting is one of the easiest and most effective ways to cut down on food waste. The great thing about doing this is that it turns your kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich soil that your garden will love.

Thankfully, you don’t need a backyard to compost. Instead, bench-top compost bins, worm farms, and even community drop-off points are great options you can embrace.

Best of all, you can easily get the kids involved by letting them dump the scraps in the bin each day. In doing so, you’ll provide them with a hands-on way to learn sustainability and responsibility.

4. Choose Green Cleaning Products

Many household and commercial cleaners are full of harsh chemicals. These include bleach, ammonia, phthalates, and various volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can not only cause respiratory issues, skin irritation, and other health problems but also potentially damage the planet.

Thankfully, there are loads of green cleaning products available in Australia that use plant-based ingredients and biodegradable packaging. To identify them, just look for certifications like GECA (Good Environmental Choice Australia), and check their labels to see if they have natural ingredients and are biodegradable.

If you don’t want to purchase these types of products, you can also make your own! A bit of white vinegar, bicarb soda, and lemon can tackle almost any mess. It is also safer for the family.

5. Create Eco-Friendly Kids Activities

Kids love to get messy, creative, and hands-on, but depending on the materials used, it can be detrimental to the planet. However, there are plenty of eco-friendly kids activities they can enjoy, including:

• Making DIY bird feeders from toilet rolls and peanut butter

• Enjoying nature scavenger hunts in your local park

• Craft sessions using recycled materials

• Planting seeds in old egg cartons

These kinds of activities encourage a love of nature while keeping children entertained. For some more inspiration, check out these fun family activities for kids.

6. Cut Energy Use Without Sacrificing Comfort

The average household energy consumption in Australia typically falls between 16 and 20 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day. Over the course of a year, this can result in you being hit with hefty bills and doing significant damage to the environment.

To reduce your energy use at home, make a conscious effort to engage in energy-saving habits, such as switching off appliances at the wall when not in use, and setting your heater or air-con to eco mode.

You should also use ceiling fans before cranking the air conditioning and open the curtains during the day to make the most of natural light. All of these small measures will make a notable difference over the course of time.