Eco-friendly lifestyle tips for families to follow in 2023
Look after your family and the planet.
In an effort to do what’s best for their family and the planet, more and more parents are choosing to make eco-friendly purchasing descisions.
Sustainability is something we all need to take seriously. By doing our bit, we can avoid adding to the several million tons of waste that’s produced each year by carefully considering the products we buy and how they impact the environment.
Below are some eco-friendly tips for you and your family to follow.
Buy locally
Buying your food from your local farmers market every week is a great way to help benefit the environment, and is a great weekend activity the whole family can enjoy. Buying from a mass produced grocery store also means that the food has to travel more to reach your plate, so buying locally will reduce carbon footprint as the food doesn’t need to travel as far.
Choose eco-friendly nappies
Beyond by BabyLove eco-friendly nappies are made with plant-based, biodegradable materials, they are an easy eco-friendly swap from the traditional nappies filling up landfills. They’re made from cotton and feature a blend of three oils so they’re super comfortable for little ones to wear while exploring.
Beyond by BabyLove nappies offer parents a practical, eco-friendly alternative.
Shop ethical clothing for kids
Kapow Kids is a clothing label designed by a Melbourne mum. The cute and quirky clothing range is manufactured ethically and slowly in a small factory in China.
The garments come packaged in zip-lock reusable bags that can also be recycled – just pop in the recycling bin when you are finished with them.
Best&Less Baby have sustainable fashion options for your little one, too. Their cute and cosy rompers are super soft for your little one’s comfort, made from 95% organic cotton and at just $9 they won’t break the bank when they quickly outgrow them.
KaPow Kids, Life’s A Beach, T-shirt, $44.
Choose carbon neutral briefs
In response to the climate crisis and the values that Modibodi wearers have expressed, global absorbent apparel brand, Modibodi, has launched its first Carbon Neutral Seamfree Full Brief. This was created as part of its mission to become carbon negative by the end of 2023.
To create the Carbon Neutral Seamfree Full Brief, Modibodi has partnered with C2Zero to lock away carbon and stop polluters from getting their hands on it by using emissions allowances.
For every pair of Carbon Neutral Seamfree Full Briefs sold, Modibodi will remove 2.4kg of carbon from the atmosphere, in total removing a potential of 10,000kg of carbon emissions.
The discreet Seamfree style is ideal for wearing under your favourite outfit, without being detected and features Modibodi’s scientifically proven – super thin (3mm thick) – patented Modifier technology to absorb liquid fast, control odour, and keep you dry.
The Recycled Seamfree style is already doing its bit for the planet.
Stop wasting food
The average Australian household throws away over $2,000 worth of food each year. The Veggie Saver is a patented, food storage and produce bag that is reusable, machine-washable, compostable, non-toxic and is scientifically proven to keep fruit and vegetables fresh for two weeks or more in the crisper of the fridge.
The Veggie Saver is made from non-toxic unbleached and unseeded cotton, which allows for moisture to be pulled through the outer layers and enhance hydration while the inner layers promote breathing and reduce ethylene build-up so fruit and veggies keep fresh crisp and nutrient-dense – for longer.
The Veggie Saver was created by Sydney mum-of-two, Peita Pini.
Donate or resell unwanted things
Think twice before buying or throwing out old clothes, toys, furniture or things that no longer serve you purpose. Try selling your unwanted items at a local market or donating them to a charity organisation. Remember, one person’s trash is another one’s treasure.
Make the switch to a bamboo toothbrush
Did you know plastic toothbrushes can take up to 400 years to decompose, thankfully there are now plenty of alternatives available such as a biodegradable bamboo toothbrush. 3.5 billion toothbrushes are sold worldwide, every year, most of which get lost in the recycling process and end up in landfill or make their way into rivers and oceans. By making the switch to bamboo we can help change this.
Thinc Eco sustainable brand that produces products to help you start your eco journey.
Avoid packaged snacks/drinks
A great way to avoid packaged snacks is by meal prepping and making your own. A great alternative to plastic, is bamboo or BPA free, food grade Silicone. Both materials are extremely sustainable and durable. Bamboo lunchboxes and reusable silicone ziplock bags are perfect for lunch on the go, kids lunches and left overs, and are safe from any chemicals a lot of plastics carry.
Pack your children’s snacks in reusable bags.
Eat less meat
Meat is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Vegan food can be much tastier than you think, so our suggestion to you is to eat plant based one day a week, and from there see if you can increase that. Not only will the planet and animals thank you for it, but so will your body.
Compost
Composting is a great habit to start practicing, it will also help the environment and reduce food waste. Composting also reduces greenhouse gas emissions, as the breakdown of food happens at a much slower rate. We like to compile our scraps and drop them in our suburbs local composting bin.
Walk/ride more
Motor vehicles play part of air pollution in the world. By walking or riding your bike where you can is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint as well as get some exercise in, plus it will save you a ton of money, so it’s win-win!
Use reusable bags
Next time you do your next grocery shop, make a conscious effort to remember some reusable produce bags. Did you know that the average Australian uses 170 plastic bags every year, and only 3% of them are recycled.
Reduce shower time
An easy way to live more sustainably is to be more mindful of your water usage. Try cutting your shower time in half, use a half flush when you can and use a quick wash when washing your clothes.
Cleaning products
A great way to minimise your plastic use, is to make your own cleaning essentials. A lot of the cleaning products sold at the supermarket are not only packaged in plastic but also carry a lot of harmful chemicals. However, products such as Koala Eco is a great one to add to your list. The range includes a Natural Multi-Purpose Kitchen Cleaner, which is made up of safe, powerful, plant-based made with Australian essential oils. An added bonus is that the bottles are refillable.
Another essential to add to your list is Zero Co Laundry Liquid Combo, which is a plant-based product that works as well as leading brands but without any of the nasty ingredients. The reusuable pouch can be sent back in a reply-paid satchel so you can keep the circle going.
