As we are all well aware, the environment is suffering. The Amazon fires are just heartbreaking, climate change is happening and the amount of plastic that is littered over our planets is just horrific. 

It might seem overwhelming to think that you can help to change any of these things. But if everyone tried to help and became more eco-friendly, using sustainable products, we would all make a difference. Any change, even small changes, would be helpful.

So, what small changes could you make around the house? 

In The Kitchen 

1. Swap plastic bags for tubs and beeswax wraps. Instead of using plastic bags to put food in, or cling film to wrap food up, you can use alternatives. For making lunches, or putting away left over food- invest in some tubs and boxes that you can use on repeat. A fantastic alternative to cling film is bees wax wraps. You can wash these and use these over again. 
2. Buy a reusable water bottle. I used to be guilty of buying water in plastic bottles whenever I was out and about and found myself thirsty. Think of the amount of plastic bottles that I went through! I have now invested in a reusable water bottle. Chilly’s is a great brand for allowing the liquid to remain hot or cold for hours. I will be getting myself one asap. They look incredible too. 
3. Ditch plastic straws. There has been a recent government ban on plastic straws. You can get some great alternatives if you do want to have straws in your life still- try some metal ones- which you can clean and use on repeat. Or retractable ones that you can take on a night out. 
4. Swap kitchen towels for cut up tea towels. Although kitchen towel isn’t plastic, and is paper. You can still help the environment by cutting up tea towels and storing them to use for everything you would usually use kitchen towels for. You can then wash these and use them on repeat. 
5. Buy sustainable sourced fish. Make sure that you are buying fish that is sustainably sourced. The fish in our seas are becoming more endangered, so we need to make sure we are more thoughtful about how the fish are farmed and where they have come from. 
6. Make a menu plan, and reduce waste. Are you guilty of chucking out a load of food when it’s gone off? It’s a great idea to write a menu each week and allocate what fruit, vegetables and meat you will be eating and when. Thankfully, cupboard food and tins have a much longer date, as well as freezer food. But try to cut down on the food waste from the fridge. 
7. Eat less meat. Eating less meat will help the environment by reducing the amount of greenhouse gases produced in the world. You don’t need to go entirely meat free, but try meat free Mondays to make a difference. 
8. Recycle where you can. Recycle your packaging whenever you can. Most counties now offer recycling at the kerbside, or you can use the bins provided in most council offices, or supermarket car parks. 

Bathroom 

1. Use reusable make up pads. Instead of using make up wipes, which are really bad for the environment, or having to buy cotton wool pads regularly, you can invest in reusable make up pads which you can use to cleanse, tone and take your make up off with. You can then wash these and reuse these as much as possible. 
2. Use reusable sanitary pads, or moon cups. Tampons and sanitary pads add a huge amount of plastic to our landfills. Tampons are also flushed, although they are not meant to, which is devastating to our oceans. Instead, look into getting beautifully patterned reusable sanitary pads or even using a moon cup! 
3. Buy bamboo toothbrushes. Ditch the plastic toothbrushes for bamboo ones. When you are finished with these toothbrushes, they then break down and can be added to your compost. 
4. Switch to shampoo, conditioner and shower gel bars. A great trade to make is by switching from shampoo bottles etc to bars. Lush have a great range of plastic free beauty products. 

General Household

1. Get more eco-friendly cleaning products. It is insane how many chemicals are in cleaning products. With the popularity of Mrs Hinch, many people have rushed out to ‘stock up their Narnia’s’ which is having a hugely negative effect on the environment. You can instead, switch to products which are far more gentle on the environment and your home environment. Method are a great company, who’s bottles have had a life before and will have a life after. The cleaning products are made with plant based products and are non-toxic. Please be aware also of the effects of constantly pouring bleach into the toilet will do on marine life. There is so much I could say about this, but check out natural cleaning profiles on Instagram. 
2. Reuse, recycle and reduce waste where possible.Be aware with every product you use in your home, from food, to clothing, DVDs to cleaning products. Reuse, recycle and reduce waste where possible. If you are having a clear out, think about where could benefit from your material possessions, for example our old toys for my children can be donated to local pre schools and schools. There is also a bin in our local car park which is in need of old books. 

I hope these tips have inspired you to make a change. It doesn’t have to happen in one go, we have been replacing things slowly and changing our habits bit by bit. You are more likely to succeed and stick with change if you do it gradually and build it into your life and routine. 

Together, we can make a difference to change the future of our planet for the next generation.