20 easy ways to make your home more sustainable

It's easy to get caught up in going eco-friendly in ways that aren't actually good for the environment. Instead of tossing all your plastic containers to make room for glass, make use of the things you have already purchased until they wear out, then replace them with more sustainable alternatives. 

Most of us use more single-use items than we think, ranging from paper towels to plastic food storage bags. Take an inventory of the disposable items you use regularly, then seek out sustainable alternatives. Paper towels can be replaced with reusable rags, while washable silicone pouches can serve as a solid alternative to the classic Ziploc. 

Whenever you buy something that comes in a glass jar, keep it! After a thorough washing, these jars can be used to store everything from leftovers to homemade pickles, serve as impromptu flower vases, and so much more. 

Next time you need new food storage containers, skip the cheap plastic tubs at the supermarket — they'll wear out and need replacing quickly. Instead, spend just a little more on glass containers with sturdy lids that will last for years, even with daily use.  

Dryer sheets may help reduce static and make laundry smell nice, but they're packed with chemicals that can be toxic to environments once you've tossed them in the trash. Reusable wool dryer balls, on the other hand, are much more eco-friendly and can be scented with a few drops of essential oils if desired. 

If you've got a backyard, a small composting set-up can serve as an excellent way to transform leftovers and kitchen scraps like eggshells and vegetable peels into healthy fertilizer. 

Americans have a chronic over-buying problem, which results in a great deal of food waste. The best way to avoid this food waste is to stop buying too much in the first place! If you're only shopping for one or two, cut down on bulk purchases or make a plan to preserve extra veggies and meats before they go bad. 

Many electric providers allow customers to pay a little extra to have some — or all — of their electricity come from renewable sources like wind and solar energy. Check in with your provider for specific details. 

There's nothing more satisfying than growing your own food, even when you've only got a tiny apartment balcony garden. Start small with an herb garden or a few buckets of tomatoes to find what works best for your space, then consider more involved set-ups like DIY vertical gardens. 

Turning the thermostat down — or up! — just two degrees can have a major impact on how much electricity your home uses. That's especially true if you invest in a programmable thermostat, which can raise the temperature when you're not at home and cool it down just in time for getting home from work. As a bonus, relying less on air conditioning and heat will help save some cash when it's time to pay those electric and gas bills. 

It doesn't make sense to rush out and buy new appliances if the ones you currently have are in good working order, but when that old dryer or dishwasher goes out, look for a sustainable replacement. Use the Energy Star guide for details on how to buy the most energy-efficient appliances. 

Thrift stores and reselling platforms like Craigslist are packed with items that still have plenty of life left in them. The next time you are in need of a new gaming console or patio table, consider secondhand options first. You'll be keeping a useful item out of a landfill, and aren't creating new demand for products. 

Unfortunately for burger fans, there's no denying that animal agriculture has a significant impact on the environment. Even if going totally meat-free is out of the question, a few more meatless meals each week can seriously impact your carbon footprint. 

Most of us have no real idea of how much water we waste, and would be shocked to learn the reality. To cut down on waste while doing chores, make sure that you only run appliances like the dishwasher and washing machine when completely full. It makes the machines work more efficiently, and may ultimately save a few bucks on your gas and electric bill. 

Even if you don't have access to at-home recycling pick-up, make use of a recycling bin whenever you see one. Consider keeping a bag for aluminum cans, cardboard, and other recyclables in the garage, and make a monthly (or weekly) trip to your city's recycling center. 

It can be slightly challenging thanks to the extreme prevalence of plastic, but buying items only sold in metal or glass containers at the grocery store can definitely make your home more sustainable. That's especially true if you reuse the containers! 

An easy way to cut down on paper waste is to sign up for electronic billing for utilities, credit card payments, and other bills. It's also a great way to get rid of all that junk mail that's constantly cluttering your kitchen. 

Modern laundry detergent works just as efficiently in cold water as it does in hot, which means that the latter is just a waste of energy. Washing clothes on cold gets them just as clean, and may actually extend the life of your garments, especially those that are cotton. 

Even though they're endlessly convenient, individual plastic water bottles can be seriously wasteful. Consider replacing with a filtering pitcher, which can be used for years thanks to replaceable charcoal filters. 

As tempting as it might be to splurge on trendy new looks from fast-fashion purveyors, this industry contributes greatly to landfills everywhere. Shop secondhand or buy garments that are built to last in favor of trendy pieces that will have to be tossed after a couple of wears.