Creating a sustainable home

The Earth is our only home. As our climate and environment face increasing pressures, there are simple changes we can make at home to use resources more efficiently and reduce waste. Here are some ideas to help you make more sustainable choices in everyday life.

Stay fresh, stay visible

Help reduce food waste by taking portions according to what you are likely to eat, and keeping leftovers for another meal. Use glass or transparent food containers to store dry foods and leftovers, helping you see what you have and make it easier to use food before it goes to waste

Say bye to single-use plastic waste

Choose reusable shopping bags instead of single-use bags when you go shopping.
Hang shopping bags on the wall using hooks so they are easy to find and use when needed.

Another simple option is to bring your own reusable bottle and food containers when you go out.

For easy access, place water bottles and food containers inside kitchen drawers. Devote a drawer to keeping bottles, food containers and lids together and ready to use.

Reduce with reuse

For daily waste, create a simple waste-sorting system in your kitchen cabinet and separate waste according to the collection options available in your area, such as organic waste, plastic, paper and residual waste.

You can compost suitable organic waste, such as fruit and vegetable scraps, at home using an appropriate composting system. Cardboard and paper can also be reused for arts and crafts with your children.

You can also give your old furniture a second life by repairing, refreshing or repainting it when appropriate, instead of replacing it.

Living close to nature

Green plants can create an inviting atmosphere at home. Some indoor plants may also contribute to indoor wellbeing, although their ability to significantly improve indoor air quality in a typical home should not be assumed.

Bring greenery into your home by placing plants on shelves or cabinets. You can also create a vertical garden using a mix of real plants and decorative elements, choosing plants that are suitable for the available light and conditions in your home.

Grow your own food

Gardening can be an enjoyable way to spend time at home and learn more about where food comes from. Growing your own herbs and vegetables can also be a rewarding activity for the whole family.

It’s fun to see a seed you have planted grow into herbs and vegetables, ready for the dinner table. This can also be an exciting activity for children. Help them explore how food grows by turning a muffin tray or another suitable container into a small planting garden.

Choose materials thoughtfully

When choosing home furnishing products, consider materials and product features that can help you make more resource-efficient choices. These can include products made with recycled or renewable materials, where relevant.

For example, bamboo is a renewable material that grows quickly, while recycled materials can help keep materials in use for longer. The environmental benefits of a material depend on factors such as how it is sourced, produced, used and managed at the end of its life.

For solutions that can help reduce resource use at home, consider water-efficient taps and energy-efficient LED lighting.