5 ways to make the family more eco-friendly!

We are constantly being bombarded with messages about the state of our environment, but as parents, it can often be difficult to know exactly where the priorities lie and what we can do to make a difference.

Unbelievably, 40% of emissions in the UK are made by households – and while some actions have already started to change – we will all need to make substantial reductions to meet our countries rather ambitious future emissions targets (Committee on Climate Change, 2022).

To safeguard our planet for the next generation, we all need to be throwing our hats into the ring to help out. Our consumer habits are only a piece of the environmental puzzle, but we can all do our bit. Let’s have a look at five easy changes that really can make a difference.

Chill with the washing, and lay off the dryer

Did you know that hot washing cycles can increase your energy consumption by up to 3 times?

With grubby children and even grubbier clothes, it’s easy to stick on a hot wash but most modern detergents are designed to work at temperatures as low as 30 degrees. Even washing at 40 instead of 60 makes a difference in your overall energy consumption across the year, so maybe consider turning that dial down a notch (Bosch Home, 2022; Jayesh, 2019).

Take a moo-ment to ditch the meat

Did you know that eating one less burger a week would save the equivalent emissions of taking your car off the road for a mind-blowing 320 miles (Earth Day, 2022)?

Livestock farming places a huge demand on water and land resources – so why not opt for a healthier alternative, such as a vegetable burger or even a plant-based meat alternative? Even one day per week without the meat can help and according to a BBC Good Food’s dietician, it’s perfectly safe for toddlers and older children to eat a plant-based diet, provided that they are getting all the nutrients and vitamins that they need (Delaney, 2022).

Squash the litterbugs!

Did you know that up to 3.2 million small animals are killed each year from litter on the roadside?

We’re not suggesting you start sweeping the roads with your your little ones in tow, but involving them in the effort to keep our own patch clean is a great way to gently introduce them to the problem of litter and plastic pollution (Circular, 2018; Keep Britain Tidy, 2022).

Compost!

Did you know that 60% of our landfills are full of organic matter that could have been composted?

Unfortunately, food that ends up in landfill doesn’t breakdown, but releases methane – a potent greenhouse gas. To avoid this, why not start a compost bin and help return natural items like food scraps and paper back to the soil. It’s a great activity to involve the whole family and show your little ones how food waste can actually benefit the environment (The Royal Horticultural Society, 2022). According to Recyclenow.com, home composting can save the equivalent emissions as using your washing machine for three months (Young People's Trust For the Environment, 2022)!

Cleaner products, cleaner planet!

Did you know that indoor air pollution can be between 2 and 5 times worse that outdoor air quality?

We all know the pressure of maintaining a clean home and the plethora of products that it requires, but just switching products can make a real environmental impact. In addition to their plastic bottles, the chemicals found in many cleaning products pose a real risk both to our own health and to the environment. There are many recipes available for DIY cleaning products that use simple, cheap ingredients such as vinegar… very effectively. But if you’re not ready to go it alone, then brands such as Ecover commit to cutting down the amount of harmful substances in their products and replacing them with plant based and biodegradable alternatives (Ecover, 2022).

So there you have it! With all these tips in mind, the whole family can get stuck in to make the small changes in your life, while still keeping the stain-free laundry and the glimmering, squeaky-clean pots and pans. Sit down with the family and see if you can come up with any more ideas to be more eco-friendly and help safeguard the planet for the future.

Written by Conner Bradshaw for It’s Our Planet Too & Nudj

If you’re looking for a holiday hero, then It’s Our Planet Too has a range of new eco activity kits for children. Available as a one-off purchase or as a subscription, these 100% sustainable tool kits are full of activities and make use of items you already have around the home or even in the recycling box.  They also donate 50% of their profits to good causes.

About It’s Our Planet Too

At It’s Our Planet Too, our vision is for every child to believe that they have the power to protect our planet.

Founded by Kate, a mum of two in recognition that our children today are growing up in a world facing very real challenges. Their generation is starting to take notice of our impact and the importance of taking care of our precious planet.

Through our products and messaging, we inspire children to love and care for our environment and empower them to become little eco heroes who seek to make a positive change for a greener future. It’s Our Planet Too is committed to sustainable practices, ethical products, minimal waste and having a positive environmental impact.

As a social enterprise, we commit to giving 50% of our profits back to good causes.