Whether you’re looking to make some small improvements or are wanting to create a completely green space of your own, we’ve listed our top tips on the best ways to create a sustainable home.
Benefits of an eco-friendly home
Creating a sustainable home has many benefits. You’ll be doing your bit for the environment whilst also helping to reduce your energy bills.
With the demand and cost for energy set to increase, there’s never been a better time to start creating a greener home.
Having an eco-friendly home will help to ensure that your home is built to last. Sustainable building materials tend to be more durable and require less maintenance over time, meaning your home will remain looking newer for longer and you’ll be saving money on those costly repairs.
Plus, switching to greener alternatives in your home will help to lower your carbon footprint. Working to reduce our impact on the environment will support future generations to come.
Renewable energy
One of the biggest ways you can cut your energy consumption is by swapping to a greener alternative, such as wind or solar.
Wind power is both a clean and renewable energy source that can provide electricity without polluting the air or burning fuel, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
Solar energy also helps to reduce air pollution and can cut your carbon footprint, helping to protect wildlife habitats, economies and communities that are threatened by climate change.
Décor
It may seem small, but making a conscious effort to source your décor responsibly and not falling victim to fast homeware trends can drastically reduce your environmental impact.
Fitted furniture specialists, Hammonds, conducted research into the industry and found that Brits are throwing away almost 70 million items of homeware each year. It’s estimated that £2.2 billion worth of homeware items are being sent to landfill annually.
Refurbishing old furniture also emerges as a sustainable and impactful alternative. For example, breathing new life into a worn-out table by replacing only the table legs not only revamps its look but also contributes to reducing environmental waste. This aligns perfectly with responsible sourcing, as it extends the life of existing pieces rather than contributing to the cycle of disposable homeware. By choosing to refurbish, you’re not only personalizing your space but also making a conscious decision to lessen your environmental footprint.
Shop sustainably
Rather than relying heavily on convenience, review your current shopping habits and see if they can be improved. Choosing local boutiques and independent shops that promote ‘slow fashion’ can help you make a significant impact without you having to miss out.
The study also found that 75% of Brits admitted that they do not research a brand’s sustainability before purchasing from them.
Reuse and recycle
Consider ways in which you can give old items a new lease of life, whether that be turning food scraps into mulch or t-shirts into tea towels.
The Hammonds study also found that 46% of Brits choose to donate items they no longer want or need. Meanwhile, 14% of us choose to recycle our old home décor and 13% opt to gift these items to someone else.
