As a busy mum, I know firsthand how much waste a household can generate, especially with kids. Over the years, we’ve made a conscious effort to reduce waste at home, embracing a more eco-friendly lifestyle. By making small, manageable changes, we’ve cut down on food waste, reduced plastic waste, and saved money in the process. If you’re looking for easy ways to reduce waste, here are 10 parenting hacks that have worked for our family.
1. Switching to Cloth Diapers
When my children were younger, I was shocked at the number of disposable diapers we threw away each week – and the amount of money we spent on them! Not only did they take up space in the bin, but they also contributed to landfill waste. Looking back, I wish we had persevered with cloth diapers. We used them on and off for a while, but I hate to say it, we got lazy.
2. Using Reusable Containers for Food Storage
Plastic bags and single-use containers used to be a staple in our kitchen. However, we’ve now invested in reusable containers for food storage. These help us reduce waste and keep food fresher for longer. Glass and stainless steel containers have been our go-to choices for reducing plastic waste in our home. IKEA is our go-to store for everything in the kitchen.
3. Reducing Food Waste with Meal Planning
I used to find myself throwing away a lot of food at the end of each week, which felt like a waste. Now, we plan our meals using Green Chef for the most part and then only buy what we need to top up and make sure to store leftovers properly. This simple habit has helped us reduce food waste while saving money on groceries. Keeping track of what’s inside of our fridge has made a real difference in preventing unnecessary waste.
4. Choosing Second-Hand Clothes and Toys
When my children were younger, I used to buy brand-new clothes and toys regularly. But over time, I realized that secondhand options were just as good—if not better. Shopping at thrift stores and online resale platforms has helped us reduce the amount of waste we generate, cut down on packaging waste, and save money. Plus, we donate outgrown clothes and toys to keep them out of landfills.
5. Swapping Single-Use Paper Towels for Cloth Wipes
Instead of constantly buying paper towels, we’ve switched to cloth wipes for cleaning up spills. These reusable wipes are easy to wash and use again, reducing waste at home – sometimes we cut up old towels too. It’s one of the easiest eco-friendly swaps we’ve made, and I wish we had done it sooner!
6. Composting Food Scraps
We started composting to reduce food waste, and I love how it turns our scraps into nutrient-rich soil for the garden. It’s been a fun way to teach my kids about sustainability while cutting down on waste. Seeing how our food scraps break down and become something useful has been so rewarding.
7. Avoiding Plastic Packaging
We’ve made a conscious effort to buy products with minimal plastic packaging. Whenever possible, I opt for bulk items, glass jars, or compostable packaging. This simple switch has helped reduce the amount of plastic waste we bring into our home, and we always try to recycle any unavoidable plastic.
8. Natural Cleaning Products
A few years ago, I started using natural cleaning solutions instead of traditional chemical-laden products – although white vinegar and soda have been a staple in my cleaning arsenal for as long as I can remember! Not only are they safer for my family, but they also help cut down on waste since I use refillable bottles. Vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils have become my go-to cleaning supplies!
9. Teaching My Kids to Reuse and Repurpose
One of my favorite eco-friendly parenting hacks is teaching my kids the importance of reusing and repurposing. We use old clothes for craft projects, turn empty jars into storage containers, and donate toys instead of throwing them away. These small changes in our daily lives have made a real difference in reducing waste.
10. Feeding Leftovers to Garden Birds
Instead of throwing away small bits of leftover food, we put safe scraps outside to attract birds to our garden. It’s been a wonderful way to connect with nature while reducing food waste. The kids love watching the birds visit, and it’s an easy way to ensure that less waste ends up in the bin.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, I’m proud of how far we’ve come in reducing waste at home. By making small, simple changes—like using cloth diapers, reducing food waste, and cutting down on plastic—we’ve created a more eco-friendly home while saving money. These eco-friendly tips have helped us embrace a sustainable lifestyle, and I hope they inspire other parents to do the same!