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Organic pollutant (VOC) levels are 2 to 5 times higher inside the home than outside, originating from common household items like cleansers & disinfectants. Click To TweetWelcome to the third edition in our series of easy eco swaps for a more healthy sustainable lifestyle. Let’s talk home and leisure. Maintaining any new habit or lifestyle begins at home and sustainable living is no exception. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, organic pollutant (VOC) levels are 2 to 5 times higher inside the home than outside, originating from common household items like cleansers and disinfectants. Our homes can also be a huge source of domestic waste with 26 million tonnes being produced in the UK each year. While transforming your home into an eco-haven might feel daunting, there are some easy changes we can all make to live better for ourselves and for the planet. From your grocery shop to your cleaning products, we’re sharing some easy eco swaps that will help make your living space healthier and more sustainable.
Reusable Produce Bags
When creating a more eco-friendly home, a great place to start is with your shopping habits and the items you bring into your living space. A weekly trip to the supermarket can quickly accumulate waste; from single-use plastic bags to excessive food packaging. An easy solution to this is switching to reusable shopping bags. These bags are perfect for carrying fresh produce from your local market and can be easily stored in your handbag or rucksack for those impromptu after-work grocery trips. Discover luxurious linen produce bags and other zero-waste kitchen essentials from Tabitha Eve, right here on Veo.
Environmentally-friendly cleaning products
From toxic chemicals to non-biodegradable plastic packaging, our cleaning products can have adverse impacts on both our health and the environment. Many common cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that release pollutants into the air which can cause health problems in animals and people (particularly those with underlying issues such as asthma). These products may also contain phosphates that promote increased fertilisation in oceans, leading to the overproduction of algae which depletes oxygen and can disrupt marine ecosystems. One step we can take to combat this is to intentionally seek out environmentally-friendly alternatives that are clean and toxin-free. Brands such as Delphis Eco produce eco-friendly cleaning solutions that are plant-based, vegan-friendly, biodegradable, and free from VOCs, phosphates, and other harmful chemicals.
Soy wax candles
There’s no better feeling than lighting a scented candle to wind down at the end of a long day. However, conventional candles can actually cause more harm than good for your home and the environment. Candles are typically made from paraffin wax, a cheap petroleum by-product of crude oil that releases potentially carcinogenic pollutants into the air when burned. A healthier, more sustainable alternative to this is switching to soy wax candles instead. Derived from vegetable oil, they are biodegradable, use renewable resources and burn clean without harmful pollutants. Check out our selection of eco-friendly soy candles scented with natural essential oils, here!
4. Organic cotton bedding
By now, most of us are familiar with the unsustainable practices associated with the production of conventional cotton. The process often requires huge volumes of water to produce a very small yield of cotton and typically involves the use of harmful pesticides. So when it comes to choosing your bedding, one easy swap you can make is to opt for organic cotton instead. Organic cotton farming prohibits the use of synthetic hazardous pesticides and also requires far less water as it is grown in rain-fed areas that keep the crops watered regularly. Check out Their Story for high-quality organic certified, Fair Trade bedding, designed for you to rest easy.
Those are just a few great ways to make your home environment healthier and more sustainable. If you enjoyed this, you’ll love our blog post on How To Declutter Your Home Sustainably. For more in this series, check out:
Easy eco swaps for a more healthy sustainable lifestyle: health & beauty
Easy eco swaps for a more healthy sustainable lifestyle: food & drink