# 8 Ways Your Family Can Be More Eco-Friendly

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/09/8-ways-your-family-can-be-more-eco-friendly/
- Published: 2021-09-17T10:34:06-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

As headlines about extreme weather and climate change continue to dominate the news,
many of us are taking a closer look at our family’s daily habits. From the meat-
heavy meals we share with our partners to the countless plastic products we buy 
for our kids, it’s safe to say that we could all stand to be a little more eco-friendly.
Of course, knowing you want to become a more sustainable family and following through
with it are two very different things. 

The secret to making your family more eco-friendly? Start small. Making simple lifestyle
changes — like [using reusable bowl covers](https://theearthlingco.com/products/reusable-food-covers)
instead of plastic wrap — will go a long way in reducing your impact on Mother Earth.

Not sure where to start? Here are some easy ways to embrace [green living and lower your family’s carbon](https://greenlivingguy.com/2023/09/u-s-green-building-council-and-rmi-partner-to-develop-embodied-carbon-guidelines/)
footprint.

![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/unnamed-6.jpg?
resize=300%2C214&quality=52&ssl=1)

## **Install a low-flow showerhead**

If you aren’t already using a low-flow showerhead, you may want to consider making
the switch. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, switching to a low-
flow showerhead can help the average family [save a whopping 2,700 gallons of water per year](https://www.epa.gov/watersense/showerheads).
Low-flow showerheads are also good for your wallet. In fact, if every family in 
the United States installed a low-flow showerhead, we could collectively save $2.9
billion in water utility bills annually!

## **Ditch disposables in the bathroom**

Ideally, you want to ditch disposable items in every part of your home. But to make
things a little easier, consider tackling the [bathroom](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/02/going-green-in-the-bathroom/)
first. Keep plastic tampon applicators out of oceans by switching to an infinitely
reusable menstrual cup. Eliminate single-use cotton rounds by [picking up a pack of reusable cotton rounds](https://theearthlingco.com/products/reusable-bamboo-cotton-rounds)
that you can easily pop in the wash. 

Still, brushing your teeth with plastic toothbrushes? Say no to plastic waste and
purchase [bamboo toothbrushes](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/06/smile-squared-launches-eco-friendly-toothbrush/)
for the whole family.

## **Cut back on red meat**

Did you know that [almost 30 percent](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/01/upshot/beef-health-climate-impact.html)
of the planet’s ice-free land is used to raise livestock? While all meat consumption
is detrimental to the environment on some level, red meat, in particular, is terrible
for Mother Earth because it requires more land and water. (Cows also produce a significant
amount of [greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/10/greenhouse-gas-standards-for-corporate/))

So, how can your family help? Swearing off red meat — or, at least, cutting back
the amount you normally eat — is one critical step. If you want to go the extra 
mile, take meat off the menu altogether and try to incorporate more plant-based 
recipes into your family’s meal planning.

![Cut back on red meat Did you know that almost 30 percent of the planet’s ice-free
land is used to raise livestock? While all meat consumption is detrimental to the
environment on some level, red meat, in particular, is terrible for Mother Earth
because it requires more land and water. (Cows also produce a significant amount
of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.)  So, how can your family
help? Swearing off red meat — or, at least, cutting back the amount you normally
eat — is one critical step. If you want to go the extra mile, take meat off the 
menu altogether and try to incorporate more plant-based recipes into your family’s
meal planning.](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/
unnamed-2-2.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=52&ssl=1)

## **Choose energy-efficient appliances**

Using things until they break down is usually beneficial for the environment, but
appliances are the exception to the rule. Old appliances are huge [energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/04/how-to-reduce-business-energy-cost/)
hogs in comparison to new appliances, which often have high-performance features
that use less energy.

Switching to energy-efficient appliances is an easy way to reduce your family’s 
energy usage while saving money on your utility bill. In fact, swapping your old
refrigerator for an energy-efficient model could [save you more than $200](https://www.energystar.gov/products/refrigerators)
over the product’s 12-year lifetime. Cut expenses and greenhouse gas emissions? 
Sounds like a win-win to us.

## **Plant your own food**

Commercially-grown fruits and vegetables are usually sprayed with toxic pesticides
that are harmful to you and the environment.  By growing your own food, you can 
skip the harmful chemicals and save money in the process. Plus, you’ll have fresh
food right at your fingertips, which ultimately helps the environment by reducing
the number of trips you need to make to the store. (It’s also a time-saver.)

## **Reduce plastic in the kitchen**

Between the zip-top baggies, dish soap bottles, cleaning products, and plastic wrap,
most kitchens are teeming with unnecessary plastic. One easy way to reduce your 
reliance on plastic is by swapping out your most commonly-used [kitchen](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/05/cooking-up-energy-conservation-7-tips-for-making-your-kitchen-more-energy-efficient/)
items with plastic-free alternatives. Instead of buying bottled soap, for example,
switch to a plastic-free dish soap bar that cuts through grease without contributing
to plastic waste.

Instead of packing your kids’ lunches with zip-top baggies, pack a waste-free lunch
with reusable silicone bags. And if you can’t find low-waste cleaning products, 
consider making your own. (Bonus: DIY cleaners are non-toxic, less expensive, and
safer for your kids.)

## **Make recycling a family habit**

Teaching kids good [recycling habits not only helps the environment](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/08/washy-wonder-bag-saver-system-for-eco-friendly-living/),
but it can also help your community save money. Recycling reduces the cost of handling
trash, which means more resources for programs that support your local community.
It’s also a great opportunity to teach your kids that not all resources are finite.

To encourage good [recycling habits](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/11/do-you-put-your-recycling-through-the-dishwasher/),
try to make it fun for your kids. Play games to teach kids which items go in the
recycle bin and which ones go in the trash. Let them [make DIY bird feeders from empty toilet paper rolls](https://www.theresourcefulmama.com/toilet-paper-roll-bird-feeders/)
or turn plastic bottles into planters for their seedlings. Get them hooked on recycling
from an early age and they’ll carry the habit with them into adulthood.

![Reduce plastic in the kitchen Between the zip-top baggies, dish soap bottles, 
cleaning products, and plastic wrap, most kitchens are teeming with unnecessary 
plastic. One easy way to reduce your reliance on plastic is by swapping out your
most commonly-used kitchen items with plastic-free alternatives. Instead of buying
bottled soap, for example, switch to a plastic-free dish soap bar that cuts through
grease without contributing to plastic waste. Instead of packing your kids’ lunches
with zip-top baggies, pack a waste-free lunch with reusable silicone bags. And if
you can’t find low-waste cleaning products, consider making your own. (Bonus: DIY
cleaners are non-toxic, less expensive, and safer for your kids.) Make recycling
a family habit Teaching kids good recycling habits not only helps the environment,
but it can also help your community save money. Recycling reduces the cost of handling
trash, which means more resources for programs that support your local community.
It’s also a great opportunity to teach your kids that not all resources are finite.
To encourage good recycling habits, try to make it fun for your kids. Play games
to teach kids which items go in the recycle bin and which ones go in the trash. 
Let them make DIY bird feeders from empty toilet paper rolls or turn plastic bottles
into planters for their seedlings. Get them hooked on recycling from an early age
and they’ll carry the habit with them into adulthood.](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.
com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/unnamed-3-2.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=52&ssl=1)

## **Shop at second-hand clothing stores**

Fast [fashion retailers take trendy clothing](https://greenlivingguy.com/2007/04/eco-friendly-fashion-embracing-sustainability-in-clothing/)
from the catwalk and transfer them to clothing stores at breakneck speed, often 
creating dirty emissions and excessive waste in the process. Instead of contributing
to this problem, take the [family](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/09/introducing-eco-friendly-habits-to-your-family-when-nobody-is-interested/)
thrift shopping instead. Shopping at thrift stores is easy on the wallet, and it
helps the environment by diverting perfectly good items from landfills. 

Not a fan of traditional thrift shopping? Online resale and consignment stores such
as ThredUp, Depop and TheRealReal make it easy to shop sustainably.

If you can’t tackle everything on this list, don’t beat yourself up over it. Remember,
the ultimate goal is progress — not perfection. Even small changes can make a big
difference, so do what you can!