8 changes I’ve made at home to live more sustainably

We all know about the ever-increasing problem of climate change. It’s such an important issue but it can be hard to read the news and not feel overwhelmed by bad news fatigue. If you’re anything like me, it can often feel like it’s such a huge problem that nothing you do will really make a difference. It’s true that only small changes made by a few is unlikely to change the world, but it has to start somewhere. I also believe that more of us making those changes in our lives brings about a shift in attitude in society overall, leading to more meaningful changes by companies and leadership.

So where to start in your daily life? Here are some of the changes I’ve made at home to live more sustainably. Many of the switches to sustainable options are items which get used regularly and therefore the impact of the change is greater. Some of these switches end up being more expensive and so aren’t an option for everyone. But while this is the case, others involve investment up front that allows for greater saving over time.

1. Bamboo loo roll

I started doing this about five years ago and since then, many more companies offering eco alternatives have popped up. Some come individually wrapped in paper (as opposed to plastic), while others come unwrapped. Bamboo is certainly a more sustainable choice compared to traditional paper as it’s a far more renewable source. But recycled paper loo roll is also a good option.

2. Choosing food that doesn’t come in single-use plastic packaging

Now this one is hard to achieve from supermarkets (which is still a necessary convenience for many of us) and I don’t claim to avoid all single-use plastic yet. But we’ve opted to get milk delivered in glass bottles, and try to buy fruit and veg that comes in more sustainable packaging, and of course bring our own bags when shopping.

3. Having my morning coffee at home, and using a reusable cup when I’m out

A cup of coffee in the morning is a moment in the day I relish. Albeit with a toddler or baby on the hip these days, but still! I’m also a little fussy about it after having been taught the essentials of good coffee by a professional barista in my hospitality days, so it has to taste right. My personal preference is a medium to dark roast, either filtered with milk if made at home or as a latte when out (I know the cooler thing is a flat white but I like what I like!). However it’s made, the most crucial aspect is that the coffee itself doesn’t get burned. Did you know that coffee doesn’t need to taste bitter? When I was younger I never liked coffee, until I realised I’d never actually had a good cup of it! Anyway, I digress… If I haven’t had my morning brew at home, I take my reusable cup out with me so I can pick up one when I’m out. We have a couple of great options here at Fable Living. Being in London, I’m spoiled for choice for good coffee, but it’s a treat that I don’t indulge in every day, so all the more enjoyable when I do. Tip: have a napkin to hand to soak up the dregs when you’re done so it doesn’t spill in your bag I use a French press for my coffee at home but if you have a pod machine, there are some great producers out there who make great coffee that comes in compostable pods.

Grind - I buy their ground coffee and can vouch for the flavour :-) Volcano Coffee Works Lost Sheep Coffee

4. Reusable nappies

Using washable nappies may be a step too far for many parents and I totally get it. It’s bad enough dealing with those poop explosions, so adding washing out the nappies as well isn’t very appealing. But even switching out just one a day removes those ones from landfill. Over the life of the average nappy wearing kid, that could amount to over 900 nappies. There are ways to make the process easier. Thin nappy liners that hold the poo and can be taken out easily make the cleaning step easier. The initial cost is high compared to a disposable nappy but with enough use, you can save money. With my first child, I did about 6 months of exclusively reusable nappies. But when I started back at work, I found it harder to fit in the extra washing amongst the life juggling, and so switched to a mix of reusables and eco nappies (i.e. made without any plastics and fully biodegradable). I’ve tried a few but my favourite brand is Pura. They’re on a mission to improve the world of disposable nappies, plus they make some great eco wipes as well

5. Period pants

Granted only the women and girls can partake in this change but it’s still a good one to consider. While not always practical (such as when travelling), they are a reliable alternative to liners and tampons. For when it’s not convenient to use them though, I opt for an eco friendly brand for non-plastic tampons and liners. Grace and Green is a lovely UK-based producer.

6. Cleaning products either in fully recycled and recyclable packaging or dissolvable tabs

I’ve grown to love a subscription! It’s another item off my list of things to remember and you usually get a discount when you sign up. And cleaning and laundry products were one of the first things I signed up for. I’m one of those people that hates a dirty house but also hates cleaning! At least now I have the products I need to hand, which makes the process of doing it marginally easier! Dissolvable tabs for surface cleaners are great because they’re super light to transport (therefore less emissions) and don’t require new bottles each time, just a bit of warm water. Other alternatives we use are for products such as soap that we get in bulk so we can fill up at home. The packaging then gets sent back to the seller to be recycled.

7. Eating less meat and buying direct from farmers when we do

Throughout my teenage years I was vegetarian. I think my friends thought it was because I didn’t believe in it (admittedly I did give off a strong hippy vibe), but that wasn’t the case. I’m comfortable with the idea of eating meat (for now) but uncomfortable with the mass production and over consumption. We’ve recently reduced how much meat we buy from supermarkets and instead order online direct from farmer-sellers. It’s more expensive for sure, but we actually eat far less as a result and so spend less overall. We order enough for a month or so (with 2 or

3 meals with meat per week - not always the main component though) and freeze. It also forces us to plan our meals better (see next tip), and so far less of the quick trips to the shop before dinner.

8. Meal planning

This is a real winner in our house on several fronts. It takes the stress out of meal times when cooking for a family of four, it avoids waste because you’ve planned your week ahead based on what you’ll have in the fridge. We find it saves money too as we don’t end up buying extra ingredients last minute (the remains of which would probably go unused).

Making these changes to how we live has helped me to engage with the problems facing the planet, and feel more of a part of the solution. It’s also helped me to stop and consider how I shop in other areas, such as for clothing. Hopefully some of these ideas have inspired you to think about some sustainable switches you can make too.

Fleur