Earth Day hacks to make your home more sustainable

As the country gears up to mark this year’s National Earth Day on the 22nd April, we’re once again being urged to consider the part we can all play in reducing our impact on the planet.

However, the changes we make to live more sustainable lives don’t have to be drastic ones, in fact, some of the simplest ways we can start to minimise our environmental impact can start from the comfort of your own home. So we’ve pulled together some handy hacks to kick-start your journey to a more eco-conscious home-life.

A new lease of life for old items

With plenty of time spent at home in the last year, lots of us have been giving our spaces a refresh. Whether that’s meant new furniture or giving those tired walls a lick of paint, DIY has been high on the agenda.

With so many of the items in our home being mass produced, buying brand-new can often have its own carbon implications. So why not try being a little more eco-conscious and buy older, second-hand items, as this can be a great way to bring all the family together to help you up-cycle. By using a few items you most likely already have lying around the home, like sandpaper, leftover paint and wallpaper offcuts that you may have left over from past DIY projects, it’ll be easy to get creative without leaving the house. You could also utilise social media marketplaces or online auctions; not only will you be giving a new lease of life to an item that could have otherwise ended up in landfill, you’ll also be contributing to the circular economy – a great way to bag a bargain!

Environmentally friendly fuels

As part of its ongoing dedication to tackling climate change, the UN has pledged to ensure access to renewable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all as one of its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). With that in mind, another way that you can reduce your own carbon footprint is to consider switching your home energy to a more sustainable solution. Not only can renewable energy options reduce your yearly carbon emissions, but they’re more energy efficient and can often save you money in the long-run too.

If you’re an off-grid customer already using LPG, a more sustainable alternative can be found in the form of BioLPG. Made from a blend of waste, residues and sustainably sourced materials, BioLPG is compatible with all existing LPG products, giving you an eco-friendly heating solution for your home without comprising on performance. It’s even delivered in exactly the same way as LPG so the only change you’ll see is your carbon footprint getting smaller!

Natural Spring cleaning

Spring is upon us which for many means it’s time for a Spring Clean. A lot of common cleaning products actually contain ingredients that can be harmful to the environment and while they might be great at doing the job, they aren’t always the most sustainable option. The good news is, with just a few store cupboard ingredients, you can whip up your own natural alternatives that are just as effective and much kinder to the environment.

For example, ingredients like bicarbonate of soda can be mixed with lemon juice or white vinegar for an effective paste to help you tackle everything from your kitchen sink to your toilet bowl, while olive oil can be buffed into stainless steel surfaces to remove marks and maintain the shine (just be sure to test it first in a small inconspicuous area.) Who knew that cleaning could be as simple as having a rummage through the kitchen cupboards!

Every little helps when it comes to sustainability and even small hacks like these can make a big impact. We’d love to hear more about your own sustainable home hacks. Share them with us on our social channels below.