Sustainable Living: Eco-Friendly Practices That Save You Money

The good news is that living sustainably doesn’t just benefit the planet—it can also save you money. Here are some practical, eco-friendly practices that can help you reduce waste, conserve water, and make sustainable smarter product choices, all while keeping your wallet happy.

1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Household recycling rates have increased to 45% in 2019 in the UK, with the highest rates currently in Wales. The 3-Rs are great ways to save money. 

Reduce Waste:

We throw away 7 million tonnes of food and drink from our homes every year, much of which could have been eaten. It’s costing us £12.5bn a year and is bad for the environment too.

• Buy in Bulk: Purchasing items in larger quantities reduces packaging waste and often costs less per unit.
• Opt for Reusable Items: Invest in reusable bags, containers, and water bottles to cut down on single-use plastics.
• Compost: Turn your kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich compost for your garden (and not have to buy it from the garden centre!) 

Reuse:

• Upcycle: Get creative by repurposing old items instead of throwing them away. For instance, glass jars can be used for storage, and old clothes can become cleaning rags.

• Repair Instead of Replace: Fixing broken items, from electronics to furniture, can extend their life and save you money. Always seek professional advice! 

Recycle:

• Know Your Local Recycling Rules: Properly sorting recyclables can make a big difference. Check with your local council for guidelines.
• Recycle Electronics: Many retailers and municipalities offer programs for recycling old electronics safely. If we recycled all our old electricals we would cut as much CO2 as taking 1.3 million cars off the road.

2. Choose Eco-Friendly Products

Energy costs rose by 80% in 2022, and despite Government action, costs are still dauntingly high. Looking at your energy usage is a great way to start finding savings.  You can do your bit by ensuring lights or other electrical appliances are turned off when not in use (and not just on standby!).

Energy-Efficient Appliances:

Look for Energy ratings: Appliances with A and B-grade ratings use less energy, saving you money on utility bills in the long term. A common misconception is that hand-washing dishes saves more energy than using a dishwasher. You’ll be surprised to know that an energy-efficient dishwasher uses around 3-4 gallons of water per load, while hand washing can use up to 27 gallons.

LED Lighting: Replace traditional bulbs with LED lights, which last longer and use less electricity.

Eco-Friendly Cleaning Supplies: Choose biodegradable, non-toxic cleaning products to keep your home clean without harming the environment. 

3. Green Energy Homes

Energy consumption reduced in 2023, led by a fall in household consumption for both gas and electricity with overall household consumption lower than at any point in the last fifty years.  However, households were the highest users of fossil fuels in the UK in 2019.

New homes are much more energy efficient than older properties, owing to modern construction methods and types of heating systems and appliances now used. A new home could save you £2,000 per year in running costs.

Love Living Homes specialises in shared ownership homes. With plenty of new builds currently available for reservation, find your new, sustainable dream home. Start small, and gradually incorporate these practices into your daily routine for a more sustainable and economical lifestyle.