How To Live Eco-Friendly On A Budget

Living an eco-friendly lifestyle doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, there are many ways to live more sustainably without breaking the bank. Here are a few tips for how to live eco-friendly on a budget. 

Reduce your energy use 

One of the easiest ways to save money is to reduce your energy use. Turn off lights when you leave a room, unplug electronics when you’re not using them and use energy-efficient appliances. You can also insulate your home and weatherise your windows to keep the heat in during the winter and the cool air in during the summer. For a more detailed look at how you can reduce energy use check out our 8 Ways To Save Energy In Your Home blog.

Reuse

You can reduce your waste by using reusable products such as water bottles like the brilliant Hip water bottles, coffee cups, and shopping bags. Reuse items such as old clothing and furniture by donating them to charity or repurposing them into something new.

Eat less meat

Meat production is a major contributor to climate change. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), 14.5% of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are attributable to livestock farming. By eating less meat, you can help reduce your environmental impact. There are many delicious vegetarian and vegan recipes available, so you can still enjoy delicious food without eating meat.

Shop local & organic

When you shop local, you’re supporting your community and reducing your carbon footprint. Local shops often use less packaging and transportation than large supermarkets too. You can also find fresh, organic seasonal produce at farmers markets and farm shops where you just need to take your own reusable bags with you. 

Additionally, shopping organic means that your fresh food is just that, fresh! There will be no nasty pesticides or fertilisers.

Compost

Composting is a great way to reduce your waste and improve your soil. You can compost food scraps, yard waste, and even paper products. Composting helps to reduce the amount of methane, a greenhouse gas, that is released into the atmosphere.

Recycle

Recycling is another easy way to reduce your waste. Make sure to recycle everything you can, including paper, plastic, metal, and glass. You can also recycle batteries, electronics, and even textiles. Use our recycling guide for more information.

Buy second-hand 

When you buy used items, you’re not only saving money, but you’re also helping the environment. Buying second-hand clothes, furniture, and appliances helps to reduce the demand for new products.

Switch to lost-cost, eco-friendly cleaning products

You can actually save money by switching from using cleaning products that contain harsh chemicals and are harmful to the environment, to DIY cleaning products that you can make at home yourself from household products. Just check out this Good Housekeeping guide of 8 homemade cleaners, to find out how you can start using lemons, baking soda, cider vinegar and more to transform your cleaning routine. 

Choose public transport where possible

If you live in an area with reliable public transportation, consider taking the bus or train instead of driving. Public transportation reduces the number of cars on the road, which in turn reduces air pollution and traffic congestion.

Make your own products

Instead of buying products that come in plastic packaging, you can make your own products such as soap and shampoo. Making your own products not only saves money but also reduces the amount of plastic waste generated.

Plant a garden

Planting a garden is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and also provide fresh produce for your family. You can grow vegetables, herbs, and fruits in your backyard or even on your balcony if you live in an apartment. Not only can you enjoy the physical benefits of gardening, it’s also great for your mental health too. 

Visit our gardening section to help you get started. Start making your own compost, or water your garden for free with our rainwater harvesting waterbutts. And when the sun goes down, up comes the solar lights, so you can sit back, admire your hardwork.

In conclusion, living an eco-friendly lifestyle on a budget is possible. By adopting these simple habits, you can not only save money but also help protect the environment. Remember, every little step counts, and together we can make a big difference.