Would you like to make more sustainable choices but aren’t sure where to start? There are simple, small changes every household can make to become a bit more eco-conscious — without it costing a fortune or taking over your headspace. Katie Brandon Byrne from Lil & Izzy Boutique shares her 5 simple tips to help you make more sustainable choices at home. Good for the planet and for your wallet!
As a busy parent, I know it can be difficult to think about being sustainable all day, every day — we already have enough on our plates! Adding “be more sustainable” to the to-do list can feel daunting, and most of us don’t know where to start. Here are my top 5 tips.
5 Tips To Help Make Sustainable Choices At Home
#1. Get Yourself A Keep Cup
As a busy parent of two, I need coffee to function throughout the day! Single-use coffee cups create a huge amount of unnecessary waste in Ireland every year — most people don’t realise how quickly it adds up.
Buying a reusable cup that you can bring along with you to your local coffee shop to be refilled is a no-brainer for reducing this type of waste — the same goes for a reusable water bottle.
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#2. Be Savvy With Cleaning Products
I have an obsession with cleaning and keeping my house germ-free! I swapped my usual products, which were full of chemicals, for more eco-friendly ones with plant-based, biodegradable ingredients and natural essential oils.
Look for cleaning products that are free from harmful toxic chemicals but still tough on germs — many mainstream supermarkets now stock eco-friendly ranges alongside the usual brands, so it’s easier than ever to make the switch.
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#3. Shop Organic
Shopping organic extends beyond groceries. When buying new clothes for your family, choose brands that offer organic fabrics and excellent quality that will last beyond a passing trend.
At Lil & Izzy we use organic cotton fabric, and our products have clever design features to aid longevity, so they can be loved — and loved again. Fast fashion is one of the major polluting industries in the world.
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#4. Clever Lunchbox Hacks
I invested in a reusable bento-style lunchbox for my daughter to take her lunch to preschool. We’ve removed tinfoil and cling film from our house and replaced them with natural compostable paper sandwich bags, beeswax reusable wraps and reusable silicone bags.
It’s amazing how these little changes have made such a difference to our waste at home. Reusable lunchbox alternatives like these are widely available from eco-focused Irish retailers, both online and in-store.
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#5. Include Meat-Free Dinners
We’re trying to reduce our meat consumption as a family as much as possible. Eating meat has a significant impact on the environment, from fuelling climate change to polluting landscapes and waterways.
I won’t pretend I don’t love a juicy steak, but educating myself and my family on the impact it’s having on our planet, we’ve decided to cut down on our Sunday roasts and swap in more meat-free meals during the week.
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Every home can make a difference. No matter how small, every choice we make has an impact on our environment, our communities and future generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to spend a lot of money to make my home more sustainable?
No — most of these swaps actually save money over time. A reusable cup, water bottle or lunchbox pays for itself quickly once you stop buying single-use alternatives.
What’s the easiest first step if I’m just starting out?
Pick one habit at a time rather than trying to change everything at once. A reusable coffee cup or water bottle is often the simplest place to begin.
Do I need to go fully vegetarian to make a difference?
Not at all. Simply reducing the number of meat-based meals you eat each week — even by one or two — can make a real difference over time.
Where can I buy eco-friendly cleaning products and lunchbox alternatives?
Many mainstream supermarkets and eco-focused retailers, both in Ireland and online, now stock these products. It’s worth checking what’s available near you.
Related Articles
- 10 Easy Ways To Reduce Your Energy Bills
- 21 Family-Friendly Environmental Actions To Introduce In Your Home
- 10 Practical Products To Make Your Child’s Lunchbox More Eco-Friendly
- 11 Of The Best Vegetarian Recipes For A Meatless Monday
Save These Tips For Later
Loved these ideas? Bookmark this page or save it to your favourite parenting board so you can come back to these tips whenever you need a little sustainability inspiration.
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