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Sustainable. We’ve heard that word a lot during the last few years. As we want to be frugal and simple people, being careful to not waste and pollute the earth fits into our overall goals. Living frugally works alongside the philosophy of sustainability.
What does Sustainable mean?
The economic benefits of leading a sustainable life can be great, especially longterm. If you take LED lights, for instance, they might cost a little more up front but will save money in the long-term. If they last much longer, then there will be less of them added to landfills. But, sustainability can apply to many other things.
In past times, our ancestors did a better job with having eco-friendly homes. They might not have had LED lights, but they were great at re-using what they had. When they grew food, they canned it in re-usable glass jars. They collected rainwater to use. Table scraps were used to feed the pets or farm animals. A torn shirt was mended and worn until it was no longer wearable.
In our day and age, we can learn much from them. The modern homesteading movement follows the template that goes way back. And, regular home owners can do many things in our homes to create less damage to the earth and save money at the same time.
I love using glass containers and bees-wax wrappers instead of plastic bags and disposable containers. It’s healthier for our bodies and for the planet to re-use natural products. I hope to keep re-using glass jars and containers for decades.
Tips for creating a more sustainable home
Here are some great ways to have a more sustainable existence in your home:
- LED lightbulbs
- Compost food scraps
- Solar panels or solar lights around your home for security
- Insulate your home well, to save on energy costs
- Use rainwater collection to water plants
- Use less plastic containers
- Recycle everything that you can: paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, newspapers
- Mend clothing
- Buy energy efficient appliances
- Bees wax sandwich wrappers instead of plastic bags or foil
- Use natural cleaners or make your own
- Hang clothes out of doors to dry
- Do it yourself projects that use natural methods
- When remodeling, use eco-friendly building materials to create a less toxic home
- Shop local to prevent so much online-shopping packaging
- Re-use paper shopping bags for gift bags, wrapping gifts, or crafts
- Recycle plastic bags or create crafts, better yet, use re-usable grocery bags
- Donate unused items to a thrift store so that items can be used by someone else
- Up-cycle unloved items: home decor, furniture, clothing
- Re-use paper clips, rubber bands, and office supplies
- Use the back side of used paper, write notes on junk mail envelopes, etc.
- Pay bills online to cut down on mail
- Unsubscribe from junk mail when you can
- Use electricity plug-in strips and turn the strip off when it’s not needed
- Turn off lights in rooms you’re leaving
- Keep things clean, so that heavy-duty cleaners aren’t needed
- Clean labels off jars (or other things) with a little peanut butter and a rag
- Disposable make-up removing wipes are handy, but it’s better and cheaper to use a bath cloth and facial cleanser.
- Use re-usable coffee mugs and water bottles and take your drink from home.
- Shop at local farmer’s market for fresh food
- Plant a tree, that will someday provide shade or fruit
- Shop used, and keep an open mind
- Don’t run the faucet while you’re brushing your teeth, or washing hands (while singing happy birthday)
- Plant a garden
- Heavy curtains can be pulled at night or on bitterly cold days or when the sun is heating your room in the summer.
- Live in a tiny home?
- Instead of buying new construction, look for homes that are already built to save money on energy or can be remodeled in a method that is eco-friendly.
- Energy-star windows
- Air conditioners and heaters use the largest percentage of energy in the home, so adjust the thermostat up or down to save money. A programmable thermostat helps.
- Buy less of everything and be content.
We all know ways that our parents taught us that can create a more sustainable home. What are some of the ways that you have learned? Is this a goal for you and your family? Please share your best tips.
@2020, copyright Lisa Ehrman
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- Lisa has been blogging since 2013, and loves sharing resources and ideas for living a simple life. To get free printables, bonus words, and more - sign up for the newsletter.
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I try to reuse upcycle and buy earth friendly products. Important to do what we can.
That’s great!
These are great tips. I switched to LED lightbulbs a few years ago.
Thanks. We did, too, and they same to be much better and last longer.
Really nice to know, it’s good to be aware of all these, for a better future!
Yes, because we can all help 🙂
Thanks for the great tips! I’ve been reusing, recycling and upcycling for a while now, and have become more mindful of packaging.
That’s great! Yes, if you’re recycling all the packaging, it takes quite a few trips to the recycling center.
I have definitely been more minimalist and good with it
Glad that you are enjoying that. It can be difficult, but it makes for such a peaceful ambiance.
These are great tips, I’m always trying to be aware of what I can do better
Thanks, Brittany!
These are all great ideas, I like to upcycle containers into gift containers.
Great idea, Shannon 🙂
I know that there are many on the list that I practice. Recycling. And there is nothing better than growing your own herbs/vegetables. Changing and challenging times – not only save in the process but also repeat tradition as did our parents and grandparents….Home Cooked Meals + Family =Success 2020
Home Cooked Meals are truly the best 🙂 And, we need all of the good things this year!
Excellent ideas. Buy new clothes? Nah. Go to the thrift store.
It’s a wonderful way to find something new 🙂
Great tips! Thank you for sharing.
Glad to be of help 🙂
I absolutely love these ideas and tips!! We always recycle (or re-use) our cardboard, plastic, and glass. Up-cycle as much as possible is the way to go.
Great, Robin. We can all do our part!
Thanks for all of these great tips and ideas!
The Law of Sustainability: “Use it up, wear it out, make do, do without.” LOL, works for me!
Great tips! I am trying to be better this year.
Thank you for the information, helpful .
This is very helpful! Thank you for sharing!!
You’re welcome! Love to help 🙂
This was really helpful. Thank you for sharing this piece of resource.
I’m glad to be of help 🙂
Awesome tips! Thanks so much!
Glad to help!!!
These are mostly good tips, I couldn’t do the tiny home though.
I don’t think I could either.
These are some really great ideas that I never would have thought of but some are so simple. Thank you
Thanks, I’m glad it’s helpful!
Great tips. We just started trying to be more eco friendly so this is great
Good for you 🙂
Great tips. Glad to find new ways to save.
Thanks, Lisa 🙂
I think your last tip is most important. Buy less and be content. This past year has taught me how much I can do without. How to be joyful and content even when there is so much “negative” in the universe.
It’s a great lesson to learn, even though it’s been such a hard one!
I like shopping at thrift stores when I need something.
Great tips . Very helpful
recycling doesn’t do much good when we’ve been scammed into thinking it actually gets recycled
I have done a few of these, I love the list. I will pin it and check it off!
Thank you for sharing these awesome hacks.
I hope they’re useful 🙂
This is a great list of hacks to make your home more sustainable! Thank you so much for sharing. I never knew about using peanut butter and rag to take labels off, how cool!
What a great list. I like to recycle gift bags.
Yes, my children can spot our gifts easily because we use them until they fall apart.
This is all great advice! We have been learning how to live a more sustainable life in homeschool! There were some things in the list that I never thought about, loke the beeswax sacks instead of plastic baggies! I’m totally looking into this. Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad you found something new to try 🙂
A lot of great tips here. I am a huge thrifter, I have found so many great deals and I fell good about buying used too.
Thanks Melissa 🙂
Wow this list is amazing I need to print this one out so I can try to do as many of these home hacks as I can thanks for sharing.
GREAT LIST! Sad to say I cannot check each off. Years ago I decided to go with glass for house hold products. I hit up goodwill, thrift stores etc for used glass containers. They wash up quickly with no problems and if they are mason jar you buy a box of rings and seals. I am working on doing better
Sustainable life is quickly gaining popularity and makes so much sense! Thank you for these awesome tips!
Great ideas
Thanks for the great tips! We can’t do enough, can’t get complacent.
Loved the article as I have been working to on sustainable living in my apt. Loved the tip for “Clean labels off jars (or other things) with a little peanut butter and a rag” Hadn’t heard that before. Will try it.
Great ideas! Always glad to learn more!
So many great ideas here. Thank you for such a thoughtful article.
We all need to learn to live simpler lives, thanks for the tips.
I’ll have to look into those bees wax wrappers. Thanks 🙂 !
A lot of great tips!
These are all great tips. I already practice some of these but will attempt to use more of these tips in my everyday life.
Good initiative, nice to know these hacks.
I have been recycling since I can remember. I always try to find ways not to use plastic and reuse anything I can.
Great tips! I was very surprised that I knew about half of the tips and grateful to pick up some new ones.