Does having an eco-friendly family sound like bliss? One where everyone enjoys recycling and composting and finding plastic alternatives just for fun? If this is your dream, then this post is for you!
If you’re like me, you’re passionate about the environment and conscientious about your impact on the earth. But, let me guess, not everyone in your household is as zealous…bless their hearts.
Old habits are hard to kick, but some new lifestyle choices can actually make things easier. It’s just a matter of trying out what eco-friendlier solutions work best for you. (And your loved ones who are, let’s just say, set in their ways!)
Over the years, I’ve found a few things that everyone can do to reduce their carbon footprint. And they’re easy-peasy!
Just by switching a few things, you’ll be on your way to having an eco-friendly family in no time!
This post is all about raising the best eco-friendly family ever!
But first…
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Here’s to Your Awesome Eco-Friendly Family
1. Laundry Sheets
Laundry sheets have changed my life! I never liked those huge plastic bottles that were hard to balance and pour. They also took up so much space in my small house where my laundry machines are tucked between the fridge, the stove, and a back door. Home sweet quirky home!
I think they’re so helpful especially to those who can’t even physically lift a big bottle (including kids) or who could make a mess with liquid detergent (ME!).
Earth Breeze are the sheets I currently use. They come in flat, compact packages and can be tossed in the washer whole or ripped into little pieces. And it’s very therapeutic to rip them!
Laundry Sheets obsession explained
Here’s a little summary as to why I’ve fallen head over heels for laundry sheets AND why I think they can be your first easy change to share with your eco-friendly family:
- No more lugging in heavy detergent bottles and measuring out the messy, sticky liquid, which means…
- More space in my tiny laundry alcove because No. Bulky. Bottles.
- A milder scented laundry soap that doesn’t bother my sensitive, bloodhound-ish nose
- Literally the easiest process ever: Take out a sheet and toss it in the wash. That’s it!
- Zero waste: No plastic! Instead, Earth Breeze comes packaged in biodegradable paper. And this packaging breaks down fast because I’ve stuck it in the ground and it beautifully crumbles back into the soil in DAYS. I also toss them into my compost.
But guess who else’s life has changed because of laundry sheets? The Renaissance man!
The Renaissance man, aka Jon, is a good guy with a good heart who really loves nature and the outdoors. But Jon does NOT love most of my recycling tactics.
However…he loves laundry sheets! He thinks they’re so much easier to deal with than the plastic bottle alternative, and that’s a big deal in this homestead.
Guys. A dude who ENJOYS a cleaning product. What is this world coming to?!
Earth Breeze is my choice for now because they ship fast and work well for me. But I’ve also used Frey and they’re great, too!
2. Composting
When I signed up for a compost service, I knew I’d rock a few worlds around here. Some in this home think they don’t love it, but I’m here today to prove, in fact, they do.
why compost?
What’s great about composting is that it takes SO much food waste and paper materials out of the landfill. And you might say, “Well, doesn’t food and paper break down naturally?” It can, but with so much going into the landfill, it causes all kinds of nasty emissions that a real scientist could explain to you. (Note: I am not a real scientist.)
Composting returns food waste back into the earth the right way. AND, you have options.
HOw to compost
I use a local farm who rolls right up to my driveway, empties, and cleans my composting buckets. Some areas will pick up your bucket right on your front porch.
There are also fancy machines online that are cute and can sit right on your countertop. I have a friend who has one of these and she’s mesmerized with this thing. But one note: You have to be on top of it and change out the filter so your house doesn’t smell exactly like a farm!
I’d like to work my way up to a compost machine but, for now, I enjoy supporting the local composting community. AND I have less chance of pushing any wrong buttons and causing the machine to go berserk. I’ve caused LOTS of machines to go berserk!
But why do people love composting and not know it?
Because less food waste means less garbage and less garbage means less trips up and down the driveway with the bins.
Some weeks we don’t have enough actual trash to take out to the curb. This is something I’m proud of. Bravo, compost!
I also like engaging with local businesses, especially those that are truly passionate about the earth, too.
other composting benefits
Another benefit of composting led me to discover plant-based, compostable garbage bags. They break down pretty fast and make for one less plastic bag in the landfill. I’ve been using the HoldOn brand lately. They’re BPI certified and 100% FSC® certified. I also like the cheery green color and the clever writing on the bag. Their writers are my people!
When you sign up for a service, you can buy compost directly from your composting company and they will drop the bags off right at your house. I like this because I almost ran my car off the road once carrying too much mulch in the back seat. Don’t do that!
My company always adds in a free bag! Their bags are burlap, so I just bury them in my mulch to decompose and become more mulch!
When your family composts, you have become a bonafide eco-friendly family in my opinion!
If you’re considering compost, I’m happy to answer questions, so please ask me in the comments!
3. Compostable Coffee Pods
@katstanophotography
A huge perk of working from home is that the coffee can be brewed all day long.
The Renaissance man got me a Keurig coffee maker one Christmas, which made access to caffeine even easier!
Though, for a long time, I struggled with using the plastic pods. I tried to save them for planting seeds. (THAT was not my forte.) Or other craft projects. (Can I make a trendy chandelier with these? Um. No.)
And when I did take them apart to recycle the plastic, I hoped I wasn’t doing it in vain. So much plastic still gets sent to the landfill. UGH.
Best compostable coffee pods
So, I did my research and found San Francisco Bay Coffee. You can compost these cuties through your local composting company! Even the bags they’re packaged in go into the compost. They are BPI certified, too.
Also: all the flavors! I love French Vanilla. But they have so many kinds like Pumpkin Spice, Caramel, Hazelnut Créme, Blueberry, and Donut Shop!
I’ve also gone with the variety pack for, you know, variety.
Do you have any favorite compostable products that your eco-friendly family loves? Please share in the comments!
4. Reusable Straws
Okay, I’m still working on this one, but I have indeed bought adorable metal straws you can carry with you. This is next-level “joy” for some people around here.
The ones I use have a carrying case and little cleaning brush. You can even hang them on your key chain!
They come in a variety of cute colors and are kid-friendly. (Just make sure you remove the little cleaning brush before using them.)
I’ve also been eyeing this iconic Coca-Cola design for a while. It’s great for collectors and just those of us who like a fizzy, refreshing Coke!
And I’ve tried different kinds of reusable straws before, and these are my favorite.
My goal is to stop using plastic straws. They hurt gorgeous sea creatures and pollute our waters. But I get that it’s really tough for the best of us, especially when at a restaurant and the server’s so good that your water’s immediately on the table…with a straw.
What strategies are you using to use less plastic straws? Please let me know in the comments!
5. Reusable Water Bottles & Coffee Mugs
With all the cool tumblers and travel mugs out there, this one’s pretty doable.
There are so many with impressive aesthetics, too, and that includes ergonomic options with handy grips or for hands-free sips, plus collapsible designs to free up space in your car or backpack. This one isn’t in my collection yet, but I do love Swig Life drinkware! And these are just so darn pretty that you’ll never want a boring, toss-able bottle again.
I fill bottles for road trips to avoid the urge to buy single-use plastic water bottles.
It just takes a bit of planning ahead and getting into the habit.
6. Bamboo Toilet Paper & Paper Towels
This one’s also easy. Provide the bamboo toilet paper and the bamboo toilet paper they will use!
Bamboo is a much more sustainable paper option for a variety of reasons. It breaks down faster and can be replenished much more quickly than trees. And trees like those in boreal forests are so important to not only lessening climate change, but also sheltering many amazing animals and Indigenous residents.
It’s good to do your research because, like any resource we use from the earth, other resources and ecosystems might be affected. Plus, you want to buy from a brand that uses sustainable and ethical practices in bamboo production.
Better Way is the brand I love. They’re FSC® certified and come in beautiful individually wrapped papers. And might I add, the texture for both bathroom tissue and paper towels is sturdy and soft!
7. Bamboo Bandages (For your accident-prone eco-friendly family!)
We all get boo-boos and my new boo-boo brand is Patch by Nutricare. According to their website, Patch bandages are “100% certified bamboo fibre and mineral based Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA).”
More reasons why I love them:
They’re cruelty-free, which means they do not test on animals.
They’re hypoallergenic and latex-free.
They’re compostable and biodegradable.
They have a Trees for the Future program. With each sale and each new retailer, they plant a tree.
The cylindrical packaging is really nice and it’s made from recycled cardboard.
They literally stay on my skin much better than other brands. Plus, they’re cute!
And in my home, they get zero complaints! It’s a win, people.
8. Less Lights (But never less sparkle!)
One of my pet peeves is leaving the lights on in a room you’re not using. I understand that people do this when they’re going back forth from one room to the other. There’s also the idea that you use more energy having to switch the light back on.
However, according to a test done by Mythbusters, I recently read it’s only a matter of 23 seconds or less for that “more energy” thing to count. Since I am no electrician or electricity wizard, I invite you to see what the experts say and read about it here.
Overall, they concluded it’s best to just switch off the light.
AND give those bulbs a little catnap!
Now, I’m not saying walk around in the dark, then fall on your face and break your nose. I may or may not have known someone who did that!
And I’m not saying forever live by candlelight, no matter how romantic of an option that is.
It’s just a matter of being aware and getting into the habit. Trust me, we could definitely have worse habits!
Another caveat: If lights are part of your home security plan, that definitely takes priority! So, keep the lights on that make you, your family, and your pets feel safe. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that!
I bought these outdoor motion lights that are solar-powered and bright. Like, bright, as in whoever struts up my driveway looks like a star on Broadway. Customer service even sent me extra when I just needed a replacement stake. So awesome!
9. Paperless Bills
Important papers can be sent via email or an online account. If you’re getting a lot of your bills in the mail, go to the companies’ websites and sign up for their paperless options. It’s not only less unnecessary paper usage, but a way to limit more clutter coming into your life every day. Clutter is a BEAST.
Here are some things to consider converting to digital:
- Invoices
- Statements
- Disclosures
- Notices
- Newsletters
- Contracts
- Applications
- Forms
- Receipts
- Estimates
- Instructions
- Manuals
Of course, lots of businesses are already set up with these options and paperless is their preferred communication tool. But if you’re not, get signed up online, create some strong passwords, and start focusing on the fun mail, like cards and invites!
10. Milk Alternatives
I started drinking almond milk and oat milk because I wanted to lessen my dairy consumption due to my concern for animal welfare in the food industry. I admire those who have adopted the vegan lifestyle and that is an aspiration of mine to do the same. Milk alternatives have been an easy switch!
But another good reason to try a milk alternative is to be eco-friendlier! Typically, water usage for milk alternatives versus dairy is a lot less. Do your own research for companies that are focused on sustainability and ethical farming practices. My current go-to brand is Califia Farms.
As I mentioned earlier, I like almond milk and oat milk. I buy them in bulk online because I’m lazy and forgetful and this helps my life immensely!
Note: Almond milk definitely has less calories, so check those stats first if you’re watching your numbers!
Also, always consult with your health pros before adding something new to your diet or eliminating something that might have a key nutrient that keeps you tip-top! The internet has some awesome tips, however I’m not a doctor, if you didn’t notice!
11. Eco-Friendly Packaging
This one’s also about keeping an open mind and considering other options.
If you’re in the store, shopping for soda, do you grab the plastic bottles or the box of aluminum cans? Maybe there’s a glass option?
If there’s something other than plastic, try it! I buy Oui dairy-free yogurt in a glass jar with a foil lid. The jars are TOO CUTE and can be upcycled as candle votives or mini vases.
Did you know that some face moisturizers and makeup aren’t in plastic? Friend, it’s true!
I like Farmstead Apothecary for my night moisturizer. It comes in a cute, amber glass jar with a metal lid. It’s all recyclable, plus the product contains high-quality, natural ingredients. If you’re too lazy to recycle, the jars can hold small odds and ends, like paper clips, or be used as vases or votives just like my yogurt jars.
The actual moisturizer also feels soft and creamy, but not oily.
For shampoo, I like Alpine Provisions, especially the Rosemary & Mint Shampoo. They use aluminum packaging and a reusable pump. Recycle the metal bottle and keep the pump for the next, new bottle.
Think about what packaging can be substituted for eco-friendlier jars, bottles, boxes, cans, and wraps. It just takes a few seconds to go that extra step.
12. Chosen Eco-Friendly Family
Your eco-friendly family doesn’t have to be the obvious suspects, like immediate relatives or those you live with. Get together with some like-minded friends who like living green. Swapping ideas and supporting each other’s interests in conservation creates your own chosen eco-friendly family.
13. Progress, Not Perfection
Hope you enjoyed these going green examples for your family sustainability journey!
I’m far from perfect in my journey to be eco-friendlier. And I have lots of room for improvement! But with small changes, better habits are formed. And if we all do a little more, it adds up to a lot more. (Don’t check my sketchy math on that.)
Thanks for inspiring your eco-friendly family!
I hope you found some ideas that appeal to you and your crew. Let me know in the comments if you try any, too! I’d love to hear how your journey is becoming greener each day.
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I appreciate you sharing awareness about eco-friendly living.
Thank you, Danwil! I really appreciate your note!
We are working together as a family to be eco-friendly which is nice but this surely will help to change.
I love that! Thank you for reading and working hard to live an eco-friendly lifestyle!