There are plenty of ways to make your home and purchasing decisions more sustainable. Here are six simple swaps you can implement immediately that can have a significant impact.

1. Swap energy using air filters for plants

The energy consumption of an air filter, particularly an air purifier, can vary depending on the model and its features. On average:

Standard air purifiers typically use between 30 to 100 watts when running.
Some smaller or more energy-efficient models may use as little as 20 watts, while larger units can use over 150 watts.

If you run an air purifier for about 8 hours a day, you can expect it to consume around 0.16 to 1.2 kilowatt-hours (kWh) daily, depending on the wattage. To calculate the monthly energy cost, you can multiply the daily kWh by the number of days in the month and by your local electricity rate.

Swap: ( Make sure to always check what plants are pet friendly or hang them high enough so that your fur babies can’t reach them).

Here are some of the best indoor plants known for their air-purifying qualities:

Spider Plant: Great at removing pollutants like formaldehyde and xylene, and very easy to care for.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria): Known for its ability to filter out formaldehyde, benzene, and other toxins. It thrives on neglect!
Peace Lily: Effective at removing ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. It also blooms beautiful white flowers.
Boston Fern: Excellent at filtering formaldehyde and improving humidity, making it a great choice for bathrooms.
Rubber Plant: Good at eliminating formaldehyde and other toxins. It has glossy leaves and can grow quite large.
Pothos: Known for its ability to remove indoor pollutants like formaldehyde and xylene, and it’s very hardy.
Bamboo Palm: Effective at filtering out benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene while also adding moisture to the air.
Dracaena: Various species are good at purifying the air, removing toxins like formaldehyde and benzene.
Aloe Vera: While primarily known for its soothing properties, it also helps to remove formaldehyde and benzene.
Areca Palm: Great for humidifying the air and removing toxins, making it a lovely addition to living spaces.

2. Swap traditional toilet paper for bamboo toilet paper

Using bamboo toilet paper is generally considered better for the environment than traditional toilet paper for several reasons:

Sustainable Resource: Bamboo grows much faster than trees, often reaching maturity in just three to five years. This rapid growth makes it a highly renewable resource.
Less Deforestation: Traditional toilet paper is often made from virgin wood pulp, contributing to deforestation and habitat loss. Bamboo production can help reduce the pressure on forests.
Lower Chemical Use: Bamboo is naturally pest-resistant, which means it often requires fewer pesticides and fertilizers compared to conventional wood pulp, reducing chemical runoff into ecosystems.
Biodegradable: Bamboo toilet paper is biodegradable and breaks down more quickly than traditional paper, minimizing its impact on landfills.
Water Usage: Bamboo typically requires less water to grow than trees, making it a more water-efficient option for paper production.
Carbon Sequestration: Bamboo absorbs carbon dioxide more efficiently than many trees, helping to mitigate climate change by acting as a carbon sink.
Reduced Processing: Many bamboo toilet paper brands use fewer harmful chemicals in their processing compared to traditional toilet paper, leading to a lower environmental impact.

3. Swap plastic trash bags for biodegradable trash bags

Using biodegradable trash bags is important for several reasons:

Reduced Landfill Impact: Biodegradable bags break down more quickly than traditional plastic bags in landfills, reducing the overall volume of waste and minimizing the long-term environmental impact. It is important not to include any compost materials in your regular trash pick up.
Less Plastic Pollution: Traditional plastic bags can take hundreds of years to decompose, contributing to plastic pollution in oceans, waterways, and landscapes. Biodegradable bags help reduce this issue.
Improved Soil Health: When biodegradable bags break down, they can contribute organic material to the soil, improving soil health and supporting plant growth, especially in composting environments.
Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Some biodegradable bags decompose more naturally and can generate fewer greenhouse gases compared to conventional plastics, which can release methane as they break down.
Support for Sustainable Practices: Choosing biodegradable options encourages manufacturers to develop more sustainable products and practices, fostering a market for eco-friendly alternatives.
Safer for Wildlife: Biodegradable bags are less likely to harm wildlife. Animals that ingest plastic can suffer severe health issues; biodegradable options minimize this risk as they break down more naturally.
Encourages Composting: Many biodegradable bags are designed for composting, making it easier to divert organic waste from landfills and support composting initiatives.

4. Swap traditional cleaning products for baking soda and vinegar

Using baking soda and vinegar as cleaning agents is more sustainable than traditional cleaning products for several reasons:

Non-Toxic Ingredients: Baking soda and vinegar are natural substances that are non-toxic, posing less risk to human health and the environment compared to many commercial cleaners that can contain harmful chemicals.
Biodegradable: Both baking soda and vinegar are biodegradable, meaning they break down naturally in the environment without contributing to pollution or harming ecosystems.
Reduced Chemical Pollution: Traditional cleaners often contain synthetic fragrances, dyes, and preservatives, which can pollute water sources when washed down the drain. Baking soda and vinegar have minimal environmental impact.
Minimal Packaging: These ingredients typically come with less packaging than commercial cleaning products, reducing plastic waste and resource consumption associated with production and distribution.
Cost-Effective: Using baking soda and vinegar is often cheaper than buying multiple specialized cleaning products, promoting a more economical approach to household cleaning.
Versatility: Baking soda and vinegar can be used for a wide range of cleaning tasks, from deodorizing to removing stains, which can reduce the need for multiple different products.
Fewer Resources Required: Producing traditional cleaning products often involves significant energy and water consumption. Using simple, natural ingredients like baking soda and vinegar requires fewer resources.

5. Swap traditional laundry detergent to a more sustainable option, or diy

Laundry detergent containers contribute significantly to plastic waste. Here are some key points regarding their impact:

Plastic Waste: Most laundry detergent is sold in plastic bottles, which can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills. In the U.S. alone, billions of these bottles are used each year.
Recycling Rates: While many detergent bottles are recyclable, not all consumers recycle them. In fact, the recycling rate for plastic containers is often low, leading to a high percentage ending up in landfills.
Environmental Impact: The production and disposal of plastic bottles contribute to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, both from the manufacturing process and the decomposition of waste.
Liquid vs. Powder: Liquid detergents typically use more plastic than powder detergents because they require larger containers. Powdered detergents often come in cardboard boxes, which are more easily recyclable.
Toxic ingredients: Many traditional brands of laundry detergent contain toxic chemicals like fragrance and hormone disrupting ingredients.

6. Swap your traditional dish soap and plastic sponge for a biodegradable option

The most eco-friendly and sustainable way to do dishes involves a combination of practices and tools that minimize waste and resource use. Here are some key steps:

Use a Dish Brush or Cloth: Instead of disposable sponges, opt for a biodegradable dish brush or reusable cloths. Natural fiber brushes or cloths can be washed and reused multiple times.
Eco-Friendly Dish Soap: Choose biodegradable, non-toxic dish soaps that are free from harmful chemicals. Look for brands that prioritize sustainability and have minimal packaging.
Wash Efficiently: Instead of running the water continuously, fill one side of the sink with soapy water and the other side with rinse water. This conserves water compared to washing under a running tap.
Use a Dishwasher: If you have one, using a dishwasher can be more water-efficient than hand washing, especially if it’s a newer, energy-efficient model. Just make sure to run it only when it’s full.
Skip the Pre-Rinse: Most modern dishwashers do not require pre-rinsing dishes. Scraping off food residue is usually sufficient, saving both water and time.
Heat Water Efficiently: If washing by hand, heat only the water you need. Consider using a kettle or pot to heat water, and let it cool before washing if necessary.
Dry Naturally: Instead of using a dish dryer, let your dishes air dry on a rack. This saves energy and reduces wear on your dishes.
Compost Food Scraps: If you have food scraps, compost them instead of throwing them in the trash. This reduces landfill waste and enriches your soil.
Minimalistic Approach: Reduce the number of dishes and utensils you use. The fewer items you have to wash, the less water and soap you’ll use.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Tools: Consider biodegradable dishcloths, reusable silicone scrubbers, or even homemade cleaning tools from natural materials.