10 Steps To A More Ecological and Sustainable Home

Something that I have realized in recent years is that a respectful upbringing in tune with the needs of our children is associated with a respectful gaze also toward Mother Earth, who is the one who sustains us and also needs us.

Little by little, we have been making changes in our house and in our daily rhythm that bring us closer to being a more ecological and sustainable family, I already explained our commitment here.

As fathers and mothers we are the example, the reference, and the role model for our children. Our gestures, whatever they may be, will be imitated by them and reproduced in their adult life, often automatically. We should be more aware of this.

So if you are at that time to rethink some habits and take better care of your little piece of the planet, I propose a plan in 10 simple and effective steps:

(1) Limit Waste

Minimize the waste that ends up as rubbish at home.

And rubbish is understood to be everything that cannot be reused in any way, that cannot be composted (organic remains) or recycled, so it will necessarily end up in a landfill.

In addition, you should compact the garbage as much as possible (there are already quite affordable home garbage compactors, although you can also do many things manually, such as crushing cans).

Why? Because this way more garbage will fit in a bag and therefore more bags in a truck, fewer transportation trips, less oil, less pollution, etc, etc.

(2) Goodbye To Use And Throw Away

We use so many throwaway things without realizing it. A simple example is paper napkins.

It is more than proven that much less water and resources are spent using cloth than paper napkins, which we also tend to waste as if nothing.

In the post: Our ritual at the table, I explained how to make some simple DIY cloth napkins, and in our Atelier, we also have certified organic cotton packs available, which in addition to being more sustainable, will give the family meal a special touch. more solemn tone, pleasant and authentic encounter

Reusable and washable sandwich holders or snack bags are also an alternative and very ecological way of doing away with disposable wrappers.

(3) Reuse Or Recycle

Always reuse, if it is not possible, then always recycle.

Always recycle glass, paper and cardboard, and plastic that you cannot reuse in any way.

To make it easier for everyone to separate the garbage at home, we have these bags from Ikea that are great for us, they are cheap and you can carry them in your hand like a bag.

(4) Say Goodbye To Plastic

In this post: 7 ideas to live without plastic, I explained some fundamental ideas on how to reduce plastic in your life.

For this, the most sensible thing is not to buy plastic containers, or the least possible.

Sometimes it is as simple as making a change of concept. For example, what would happen if we changed the bottle of bath gel to a bar of soap?

Not only are fewer grams of plastic that would end up in landfills around the world, but you need less quantity, because it lasts much longer, and your skin receives fewer chemicals.

Because if you bet on artisanal and ecological soaps, your skin is spared exposure to dyes, artificial perfumes, parabens, and preservatives in general.

And if you are not yet aware of the need to reduce plastic in your life, take a look at the plastic islands of the Pacific, and see what you think.

More than islands, they are beginning to call them the seventh continent, there is one that has more than 1,400,000 square km! And they are all made up of plastics that have ended up in the sea and that the currents have carried to that place, and since they are nanoparticles that have been fragmented, the contamination is much more catastrophic, since it ends up reaching our plates.

(5) Make Good Use Of Paper

Paper, like water, is a scarce commodity and you have to get the most out of it, so never throw away a piece of paper or a notebook that could be put to good use!

With the printed pages that have a blank back side, cut them out and make small booklets to take notes or for your little ones to draw. It’s as simple as stapling a stack of sheets by the edge.

You can also switch to stone paper, 100% biodegradable paper, which is made without water, without chlorine, and with mineral remains from the tons of waste from the mines. Don’t you think it’s a pass?

(6) Return to the Market to Buy

With the large commercial surfaces that import products from all over the world, we have lost sight of how important and ecological it is to consume seasonal products from our area!

Do you have any idea of the number of energy resources involved, and of course the pollution caused if you eat an apple from the US or China?

Also, and this is very important, if you buy at the weekly market in your neighborhood or town, you are buying in bulk! Goodbye to all those unnecessary plastic and oil containers.

So please, get a good shopping basket and enjoy going to the market with your family, buying fresh and from local producers. And you’ll see what the kids enjoy witnessing and participating in the marketing!

Of course, by consuming seasonal products, we not only reduce the need to import from abroad, but we are also eating healthier since nature provides us with what our body needs in each season.

If you are interested, download this Ministry poster with the calendar of seasonal fruits and vegetables and get to work.

(7) Organic and Fair Trade Food Better

By betting on local products and buying in bulk you are already doing a lot to be a more responsible consumer, the next step would be to opt for organic food, which is also called bio or organic (but refers to the same thing).

Why?

Because they are healthier, they are produced with a high level of quality, they have more vitamins and nutrients, they are not genetically modified and they are respectful of the environment, nature, and animals.

And if you’re still in doubt, watch this documentary on Monsanto seeds, it’s chilling.

Almost everything we eat in the world! (that is not certified organic, of course) comes from this seed company that grows them with genetically modified organisms, and that only reacts to insecticides patented by Monsanto itself.

On the other hand, when there is no choice but to buy imported products such as coffee or brown sugar, keep in mind that what you find in a conventional supermarket does not come from fair crops and is usually always linked to the exploitation of people. Buy the Fair Trade ones.

(8) Also Ecological Cleaning Products Please

For the health of your family and that of the planet, use ecological cleaning products at home.

In this post: Eco-friendly home cleaning I explained extensively why you should take that step.

(9) Your Wardrobe Can Also Be Sustainable

The first premise that we should all keep in mind is that there is no more sustainable garment than the one that is already manufactured.

Fortunately, second-hand clothes are on the rise, but not many dare yet, so in this post you have some ideas to transform your wardrobe into a more eco-friendly one: How to consume less and live better, starting with your wardrobe.

A premise that you should not forget whenever you go shopping for clothes and that I apply to myself as a commandment is:

(10) Reduce Your Power Consumption

Surely you can consume a little less with small actions at home:

It is also very important that you switch to an electricity company that comes from renewable energies.

And so, adding and adding, we are developing that awareness and responsibility with the great Mother Earth that we have abused so much (in this post I told you why it worries us so much) and our children will also be able to absorb that will and that respect.