Going Green: Top Sustainable Project Ideas

Over the next little while we will continue to spend more time at home. Keeping in theme with my posts on making the most of your time in isolation, I wanted to review some of my favourite ideas for the best sustainable projects to complete during this period. Covid-19 has showed us the havoc we have wreaked on our planet, but this also gives us the opportunity to change the way we do things going forward. Spending some time on sustainable projects and making changes to your home and your routine will help you create eco-friendly habits that last.

1. Get growing
It doesn’t have to be a whole garden full of plants; maybe it’s only a few small pots, but growing your own food is extremely rewarding AND sustainable. It’s so important for us all to do some digging and learn about where our food comes from. For one, it may help you make better decisions with what you put in your mouth. For another, it is an incredibly sustainable project to complete and a great use of your time. Food we buy from the shops has a shockingly high resource price tag attached to it, so everything we can make or grow at home drastically reduces our footprint on the environment. If you’re stuck with where to start, check out my article from earlier this week on which foods are easiest to grow.

2. Swap to cloth nappies if you have babies
Before you turn up your nose, take the time to hear me out and think about what I’m saying. Babies go through thousands of nappies in their time. Whilst the thought of cleaning used nappies really does make my stomach turn, it is one of the best things you can do for our planet. Disposable nappies are the 3rd biggest consumer item in landfill and represent about 30% of non-biodegradable waste. That’s right - the plastics and potential toxins that are in nappies not only make them non-biodegradable but also can be harmful to the health of your baby! On top of this, making the swap will also save you a whole bunch of money, and will come in handy if the supermarkets run out of stock (which we all know is a regular occurrence during this time). 

3. Create a compost bin
Composting is a great sustainable project for your home. It reduces the amount you contribute to landfill (and the corresponding toxic gases that get released as the food breaks down) and leaves you with a nutrient-rich fertilizer to help grow your garden (refer to project #1)! Choose a bin and a shady space for it to live outdoors. Next, add organic compost and straw to get the bin started. It’s important to keep an even ratio of brown to green waste (brown waste is things like dried leaves, newspaper, woodchips etc, and green waste is manure, fresh plant cuttings and kitchen scraps). Layer the different types in the bin then sprinkle water over your pile and leave it to create your delicious fertilizer!

4. Order a box
Local wholesalers and fruit stores have been offering pickup and delivery produce boxes. Eating local is a great way to reduce your strain on the planet, and also keeps you away from shops that are overcrowded and can have very limited supply. A quick google search will help you find local suppliers who offer such a service – they are often very reasonably priced and the produce is fresh and delicious!

5. Go for a ride
Going for a ride, or even a walk, is one of the best sustainable activities to fill your time, and it’s a really good one to remember. Getting outside is one of the best ways to both maintain and boost your physical and mental health, and with recreation options limited and gyms still closed, it’s a great option. If you’re able to, why not swap those little car trips for a ride on the bike? Or make it into an adventure, a visit to a local store or just let your body choose a path as you go.

6. Make a recycling centre
Recycling at home is vitally important, yet with the ongoing recycling crisis, it is harder and more confusing than ever. The first step is to find out what materials can be recycled in your area, and how they need to be presented in order for that to occur. Get a copy of the guidelines from your council, and stick it up somewhere you can easily refer to it. Next, create a space for your recyclables. The main categories are glass, paper, plastic and metal. Remember, convenience is key so it’s important to create a recycling space that is usable. The last step is to study your trash and get familiar with the different types of plastics. These can be tricky little buggers; some are recyclable, some are not. Hopefully this exercise also helps teach you which plastics you should completely cut out!