# Tips for Making Your Household More Environmentally Friendly - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/10/tips-for-making-your-household-more-environmentally-friendly/ - Published: 2021-10-19T14:51:34-04:00 - Author: greenlivingguy The realities of life can make it seem impossible for families to reduce their carbon footprint effectively. Between work, school, and family obligations, who has the time? What’s more, where do you even begin? The push for more [sustainable living](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/10/green-options-to-include-in-your-house/) has led to numerous innovations and improvements. From the foods we eat to the homes we cherish, there’s no shortage of ways to make your [household](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/06/6-ways-to-make-vaping-more-environmentally-friendly/) more environmentally friendly. Don’t believe it? Read on to discover seven effective ways to reduce your family’s collective carbon footprint and [achieve a more sustainable](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/10/levis-sustainable-stadium-achieves-leed-gold-status/) lifestyle going forward. ![Sustainable eating tips for healthy planet and body](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy. com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/unnamed-3-1.png?resize=200%2C300&quality=50&ssl=1" Sustainable Eating: Tips For Healthy Planet And Body - The Green Living Guy") ## **Go green** Sustainable housing [lays the foundation](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/03/swiss-eprix-law-change-lays-foundation/) for a more environmentally-friendly household. Those currently in the market for a new home can narrow their search down to properties with [sustainable living](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/06/simple-sustainable-living-tips-you-can-implement-today/) space. The rise of [green architecture](https://newschoolarch.edu/blog/how-to-become-a-green-architect/) means more homes are built with energy efficiency and eco-friendliness in mind. Everything from the roof down to the foundation can be built utilizing more environmentally sound materials and technology.  ## **Go smart** Major household appliances use massive amounts of energy and water to operate. With today’s smart technology, these machines provide the same output using a fraction of the power and water. Over time, this adds up to significant savings, both in terms of resources and money. Whether it’s the washer, dryer, furnace, or refrigerator, the key to making your household more sustainable lies with upgrading to smart-generation makes and models. ## **Reduce waste** Most families are shocked to discover how much garbage they generate in a given week. However, there are several effective ways to reduce this amount of [waste and help the environment](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/10/u-s-epa-fines-tucson-facility-30000-for-hazardous-waste-violations/) in the process. For example, [use reusable containers](https://www.aboutamom.com/how-to-reduce-household-waste/) as often as possible. You can also buy more whole foods since they’re sold with less packaging than processed foods. Lastly, it still pays to recycle as much as possible. ## **Eat less meat** From chicken fingers to hot dogs, the average family consumes a tremendous amount of meat in a given year. Unfortunately, [eating less meat](https://ourworld.unu.edu/en/eating-less-meat-essential-to-curb-climate-change-says-report) is essential for reducing our carbon footprint. The good news is you don’t have to give up meat entirely. Start by designating one or more nights a week for meatless dinner. Meatless Monday has a nice ring to it, but it can be any day you think is best. ![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/anna-pelzer- IGfIGP5ONV0-unsplash.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=52&ssl=1 "anna-pelzer-IGfIGP5ONV0- unsplash - The Green Living Guy") ## **Make your backyard more eco-friendly** Most homeowners love the look and feel of an immaculately maintained [lawn of green grass](https://greenlivingguy.com/2010/09/pearls-premium-lawn-grass-helps-green-living-everywhere/). However, the classic [backyard](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/01/going-green-5-insider-tips-for-transforming-your-backyard-into-an-eco-friendly-oasis/) is inhospitable to most local flora and fauna. They also require massive amounts of water and icky pesticides to keep looking nice. Do your family, environment, and planet a favor by ditching the grass and going with a more eco-friendly backyard design. Swapping grass for native plants will make the landscape more inviting for [Mother](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/04/5-ways-to-appreciate-mother-earth-this-mothers-day/) Nature. ## **Choose quality over quantity** There’s an old saying in commerce: you get what you paid for. While discount shoes, cheap clothes, and inexpensive household products save money in the short term, these items tend to wear out and break faster than the alternative. What’s more, all that discarded waste adds up to more contribution to the local landfill. All household budgets are different, so we understand it’s not always practical, but opting for quality over quantity will ultimately [save you money](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/03/toyota-reusable-packaging-saves-money-and-environment/) while also helping reduce your family’s collective carbon footprint. Many [busy parents like the idea](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/06/5-environmentally-friendly-business-ideas/) of more sustainable living but are unsure how to do so with limited time and money. Luckily, there are [several ways for your household to become more environmentally friendly](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/10/5-design-features-to-add-to-your-eco-friendly-custom-house/). The utilization of just one or two of the [tips](https://greenlivingguy.com/2009/03/kombucha-tea-love-this-drink/) mentioned in this post will be more than enough to make your home a greener one. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)