Greener at Home: Water, Food, Waste and Products

Making a home more environmentally friendly often brings to mind solar panels and new appliances, but many of the most effective changes cost little and relate to the water we use, the waste we throw away and the products we bring into the home. Focusing on one resource at a time makes the changes easier to start and to keep up. Here is where to begin with water, food, waste and household products.

Water

Fix leaks. The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that household leaks can waste nearly 10,000 gallons of water a year in an average home, often from dripping taps, running toilets and leaking showerheads. To check a toilet, add a few drops of food coloring to the tank. If color appears in the bowl within 15 minutes without flushing, the flapper needs replacing, which is usually an inexpensive fix.

Choose efficient fixtures. Look for showerheads, taps and toilets carrying the EPA's WaterSense label, which identifies products that use less water while performing well. A WaterSense showerhead uses no more than 2.0 gallons per minute.

Change daily habits. Turn off the tap while brushing teeth, run dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads, and take shorter showers. Modern dishwashers generally use less water than washing the same load by hand.

Water outdoors wisely. Water gardens early in the morning to reduce evaporation, use a rain barrel where local rules allow, and choose native or drought-tolerant plants.

Food

Reduce food waste. The US Department of Agriculture estimates that 30 to 40 percent of the food supply is wasted. At home, plan meals before shopping, use a shopping list, store food correctly, and keep older items at the front of the fridge.

Understand date labels. "Best before" dates usually relate to quality rather than safety, so many foods are fine to eat after that date. "Use by" dates on perishable foods should be followed.

Use leftovers. Freeze extra portions, turn vegetable scraps into stock and plan a weekly "use it up" meal.

Compost. Food scraps in landfills produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas. A backyard compost bin, a worm bin or a municipal food waste collection program turns scraps into useful soil.

Waste and packaging

Reduce first. Buying less, choosing products with less packaging and repairing items before replacing them have more impact than recycling alone.

Reuse. Carry reusable shopping bags, water bottles and coffee cups. Glass jars make good food storage containers.

Recycle correctly. Rules vary widely between towns, so check your local program. Placing items in the recycling bin that the program can't process, sometimes called wishcycling, can contaminate whole loads. Rinse containers and keep plastic bags out of curbside bins unless your program accepts them.

Dispose of hazardous items properly. Batteries, electronics, paint, medicines and light bulbs often need special collection. Many retailers and local authorities run drop-off programs.

Household products

Cleaning products. Concentrated refills and simple cleaners such as soap, vinegar and baking soda reduce packaging. Look for third-party labels, such as the EPA's Safer Choice, when buying cleaning products.

Paper products. Cloth towels and napkins replace many paper towels and napkins. Choose recycled paper products where you can.

Personal care. Bar soap and shampoo bars avoid plastic bottles, and refill stations for toiletries are increasingly common.

Clothing and textiles

Wash clothes in cold water when possible, air-dry them to extend their life, and repair rather than discard. Buy secondhand, swap clothes with friends, and donate or recycle textiles instead of throwing them away.

Shopping habits

The most sustainable product is often the one you don't buy. Before purchasing something new, consider whether you can borrow, rent or buy it secondhand. Libraries of tools, toys and kitchen equipment are available in some communities, and online marketplaces make it easy to find good used items. When you do buy new, choose durable products that can be repaired, and look for brands that offer spare parts or repair services.

Buying in bulk can reduce packaging for items you use regularly, as long as they won't go to waste. Bringing your own containers to bulk stores or refill shops cuts packaging further.

Getting the household involved

Changes last longer when everyone in the home takes part. Make recycling and compost bins easy to reach, label them clearly and explain what goes where. Children often enjoy jobs such as checking for dripping taps or sorting recycling. Tracking progress, such as how often the trash bin needs emptying, can be motivating.

Repair cafés, run by volunteers in many towns, help people fix clothing, small appliances and bikes instead of replacing them.

Starting small

Choose one or two changes from each section and make them habits before adding more. Small steps across water, food, waste and products add up, and many save money as well as resources.