Looking for some budget-friendly ways to make your home a little greener? Living sustainably doesn't have to break the bank. In fact, making even a few changes can help you reduce the waste that ends up in landfills, reduce your use of harmful chemicals, add style to your home and even save you money! Want to know more?
Here are 10 budget friendly tips to get you started:
- Buy shelf-stable and non-perishable foods you frequently use in larger containers to reduce packaging waste and take advantage of bulk pricing. Need an example? Olive oil. We buy it in gallon containers to store in our pantry. We then pour a smaller amount in a repurposed bottle purchased from a local thrift store. A stainless steel and cork spout then tops the bottle for convenient pouring. Not only do we save money buying the oil, the repurposed bottle adds style and convenience to the kitchen.
- Use a foaming soap dispenser in the kitchen. Not only does this help you use less dish soap, it solves the problem of dispensing too much soap on dishes while you're washing them. Plus, a foaming soap dispenser infuses air into your soap to create a lather that spreads and rinses easily.
- Shop smart - buy reusable water bottles, coffee mugs and to-go containers in place of disposable ones. Not only
 |
| Full Circle |
will this reduce the solid waste going into our landfills, it can reduce the amount you spend on bottled water and convenience foods. - Try making it yourself versus buying. We think some of the easiest items to make are home cleaners. Most home cleaners can be made with ingredients you already have in your own home. Not only are they super easy to make, they can be just as effective as store bought cleaners and can be made for a fraction of the cost. Some added bonuses? Making your own cleaners can solve two other problems - when you buy your cleaning ingredients in bulk, you are less likely to run out and it can reduce the number of cans, bottles and boxes of cleaners you need to stash in your cabinets.
- Don't want or need it anymore? Donate or sell it instead of tossing it. There are many fine organizations that need donations, some will even pick them up from your home. Need some cash? You'd be surprised what you can sell on Ebay and similar sites.
- Consider choosing foods to reduce your water footprint - try eating less meat, drinking water instead of soft drinks and buying your fresh fruits and vegetables locally.
- Reduce food waste! How? Practice safe food storage, invest in quality food storage containers and eat leftovers for lunch. Why? According to the National Resource Defense Council, as a nation we waste about 40% of our food. This not only wastes valuable resources such as the water and oil needed to grow and transport that food, but when food waste ends up in landfills it generates methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. How much can you save by reducing food waste? Try about $2,275 per year for a family of four, according to the NRDC.
- Repurpose what you've got instead of buying new. Looking to update the bathroom? Need a way to spruce up the deck? Whether it's cabinet space in the kitchen, a mirror for the bathroom or chairs for the deck, upcycling something old to create a 'new' piece of furniture is an amazing way to make any room your own. Our favorite place for ideas and tutorials? Pinterest!
- Use your smartphone to reduce waste, use less fuel and make sustainable food choices. There are apps for everything from reducing junk mail to selecting sustainable seafood. Many of these are easy to use and informative.
- Reduce your use of paper towels, which can contribute to deforestation and landfill waste. Instead, keep natural fiber towels and cloths handy. Most of us naturally grab paper towels to clean a spill or dry our hands.
 |
| Full Circle |
Having a paper towel alternative right where you need it helps break the paper towel habit. Reducing paper towel use will reduce the waste going to landfills and save you money. A few strategically placed and stylish towels are also a great way to brighten your kitchen for the season or holiday!
Did you find these tips useful? Please share them through our Facebook and Twitter links below. Want to discover easy tips and tricks for healthy, sustainable living and have them delivered right to your in box weekly? Follow our blog by signing up for our RSS feed.
