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Teaching your family to live more sustainability is a beneficial life-lesson that can start at a young age. Having a positive influence on the next generation is more important now than ever as our planet is under increasing pressure as a result of our fast-paced lifestyle.
Why does sustainability matter? Waste in landfills, whether it’s biodegradable, plastic, or anything in between, will emit greenhouse gases, which directly contribute to climate change. A zero-waste lifestyle will help reducing this useless waste
Not sure where to start?
Don’t worry; we have five sustainable at-home ideas for you and the children!
What is Zero-Waste?
Zero-waste is a philosophy.
The goal is to avoid sending waste to the bin by either refusing it, reusing it, or finding a way to compost it, thus creating a cycle where very little goes to waste.
In today’s society, zero-waste can seem like an unachievable goal, so aiming to minimise waste is a great place to start, and is possible from the comfort of your home!
5 Ideas For Going Zero-Waste At Home
#1 Swap Your Plastic Toothbrush
Have you ever considered the lifespan of your plastic toothbrush? It is not the first thing that comes to mind, but it is a straightforward and affordable swap that the whole family can do!
Roughly 3.5 billion brushes are sold worldwide each year, and the majority end up in the landfill or make their way out to the ocean.
Bamboo toothbrushes make a fantastic alternative to single-use plastic toothbrushes because they are 100% biodegradable. What does that mean? When you need to replace your toothbrush, simply put the bamboo one in the compost and let it return to the soil.
Keep reading to see how you can start your compost garden!
#2 Shop Odd Produce Destined For Landfill
Shopping for the funny looking fruits and veggies is a fun way you can get the kids involved in sustainable meal planning. Sadly, any funny-looking fruit and vegetables are rejected.
Reducing food waste and supporting the produce made by our local farmers is a family-friendly way to create a more sustainable, low-waste lifestyle at home.
Get creative and cook a delicious meal with your odd produce that the kids can help you prepare! Soup, curry, and vegetable pasta are affordable options that can be reheated the following day for lunch.
#3 Get Comfortable With The Cloth Diaper
Diapers, Nappies, Pampers; if they are disposable, they are bad news for the environment! A family will require roughly 2500 nappies per baby per year, making raising a child on disposable diapers a very costly and wasteful experience.
The benefits of a cloth diaper include: may reduce nappy rash on sensitive skin, reduces landfill waste, cost-effective, available in beautiful designs that every baby will love. If you don’t feel ready to make the switch, try to find a more eco-friendly alternative brand for the disposable product
#4 Create Art Projects By Upcycling
There are so many awesome kid-friendly activities that you can do at home with recycled items! DIY (do-it-yourself) artwork and craft activities can be made from plastic bottles, bottle caps, scrap paper, plastic straws, ice-cream sticks, toilet paper rolls, egg cartons, cardboard boxes, or empty jars and containers!
How about making a family bird feeder for the garden from a single-use plastic bottle? It is the perfect project for all age groups and encourages more time outdoors in nature!
#5 Start A Family Compost Garden At Home
A compost bin can seem a little difficult, but soon enough you will have the whole family involved! Composting organic waste is a simple and effective way to be more sustainable from home. Children will get more from the experience if they have their compost container.
To start, you will need dead plant material such as dry leaves, soil, organic waste from fruit and vegetables, shredded newspaper, and earthworms! You can even add your morning coffee grounds and eggshells. Use a plastic container or garbage bin to get started! It will encourage everyone to be mindful of their food waste, and it is an affordable garden project!
Final Thoughts
Encouraging sustainable habits with your children doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and as you can see, it can be a fun experience for the entire family. The combination of small steps taken today to create a low-waste home may help you to save time and money with eco-friendly swaps.
Going zero-waste can help you minimize stress and simplify things. Give one of our ideas a try today!