Newsflash! Going green doesn’t mean you need to go off grid or set up a Yurt on a self-sustaining biodynamic farm. In fact, incremental change when made collectively can make a significant impact on our planet, all you need to do is start with these simple and unexpected changes.

Lots of indoor plants

Not only do they look great, they’ll also clear the air of common toxins in your home. Peace lily and English ivy are among the best and if you don’t have a green thumb, they’re also the easiest to keep thriving!

Compost

Composting is one of the simplest ways to reduce your household waste. In fact, you can reduce your household waste by up to a third simply by separating food waste from your general rubbish and recycling. You’ll also be assisting with the reduction of the carbon dioxide and methane emissions that food waste produces once it hits landfill.

Have one meat-free day per week

Whether you make your Mondays meatless – or any other day of the week – removing meat from one day out of your week is equivalent to taking your car off the road for three months. Hit up Pinterest for some major veggo inspo.

Recycle

We’re not just talking about the usual suspects like paper, glass and plastic but the ones we all tend to overlook like tubes of toothpaste, contact lense blister packs, beauty product packaging, and one of the most important, e-waste. Terracycle is a great initiative that offers drop off points for these items all around Australia.

Switch to natural products

Beauty and cleaning products are a great start. Always opt for those that aren’t derived from petroleum or get crafty and make your own.

Ban single-use plastic

It’s been a long time coming but slowly local governments and councils are phasing out single-use plastics, and hooray for that. Saying sayonara to cling wrap might sound daunting but there’s loads of alternatives like beeswax wraps, cloth food covers or glass jars. Swap out plastic straws for bamboo or metal and don’t forget your reusable bags and coffee cups too.

Be conscious of off-gassing

You mightn’t have heard of off-gassing but you would’ve certainly experienced that smell that only comes with brand new furniture or paint. It’s due to the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and sources generally include things like paint, veneer and laminate, resin and foam. Combat this by choosing more sustainable brands, buy second-hand or repurpose your old furniture.

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