Save the Earth

joi, 25 decembrie 2025

7 creative and practical ways to reuse common household materials and help save the planet

Reusing materials is one of the most effective ways to lower your carbon footprint because it keeps waste out of landfills and reduces the energy needed to manufacture new products.

Here are 7 creative and practical ways to reuse common household materials and help save the planet:

1. Transform Glass Jars into Pantry Storage

Instead of buying expensive plastic containers, wash and reuse glass jars from pasta sauce, pickles, or jam.

The Benefit: Reduces plastic waste and keeps your food free from chemicals found in some plastics.
Pro Tip: Soak the jars in warm, soapy water to easily peel off the labels.

2. Turn Old T-Shirts into Cleaning Rags or Tote Bags

Don’t throw away worn-out clothes. Cotton t-shirts can be cut into squares to replace paper towels.

The Benefit: Saves trees by reducing paper towel consumption and keeps textiles out of landfills.
Creative Twist: With a few simple cuts and a quick stitch at the bottom, an old shirt becomes a reusable grocery bag.

3. Use Cardboard Boxes for Garden Mulching

Instead of buying plastic weed barriers, use flattened cardboard boxes in your garden beds.

The Benefit: Cardboard is biodegradable. It suppresses weeds, retains moisture in the soil, and eventually breaks down into organic matter.
Note: Make sure to remove any plastic tape or staples first.

4. Repurpose Plastic Containers into Seedling Pots

Yogurt cups, egg cartons, and plastic berry containers make perfect starter pots for plants.

The Benefit: Extends the life of "single-use" plastics that are often difficult to recycle.
How-to: Poke a few small holes in the bottom for drainage, add soil, and start your indoor herb garden.

5. Reuse Envelopes and Scrap Paper for Notepads

Before recycling mail or school papers, check if the back side is blank.

The Benefit: Reduces the demand for new paper production, which saves water and energy.
The Idea: Staple scrap pieces together to create "eco-notepads" for grocery lists or daily reminders.

6. Give Wine Corks a Second Life

Natural cork is a sustainable material that shouldn't go in the trash.

The Benefit: Cork is a renewable resource, but it takes a long time to decompose in a landfill.
Creative Project: Glue them together to make heat-resistant coasters or a bulletin board for your home office.

7. Upcycle Old Bedding into Pet Toys

Worn-out sheets and towels can be braided into sturdy tug-of-war ropes for dogs.

The Benefit: Saves you money and prevents synthetic microfibers from entering the waste stream.
How-to: Cut the fabric into long strips, tie a knot at one end, braid them tightly, and knot the other end.

Why Reusing Matters

Action	Environmental Impact
Reduce	Prevents waste from being created in the first place.
Reuse	Extends the life of an object, saving energy and raw materials.
Recycle	The last resort—breaks materials down to make something new.

miercuri, 24 decembrie 2025

5 steps to help the environment and save money

Helping the environment and saving money often go hand-in-hand because both goals usually involve reducing waste and consuming fewer resources.

Here are five practical steps to protect the planet while padding your wallet:

1. Master "Cold and Air" Laundry

Heating water accounts for about 90% of a washing machine's energy usage. Switching to cold water protects your clothes from shrinking and fading while significantly lowering your electric bill.

The Pro Move: Skip the heated dryer and use a drying rack or clothesline. It’s free, saves energy, and extends the life of your fabrics.

2. Plan Meals to Eliminate Food Waste

Roughly one-third of all food produced globally is wasted. When you throw away food, you’re also throwing away the money you spent on it and the resources (water, land, fuel) used to grow it.

The Pro Move: Spend 15 minutes a week meal planning and shopping with a strict list. Use apps like Too Good To Go to buy surplus food from local restaurants at a massive discount.

3. Ditch "Phantom" Energy

Many electronics (TVs, chargers, coffee makers) draw power even when turned off—this is known as "phantom" or "vampire" energy. This can account for up to 10% of a typical household's energy use.

The Pro Move: Plug your electronics into a smart power strip that you can turn off with one switch, or simply unplug chargers when your devices are full.

4. Embrace the "Buy Used" Mindset

Manufacturing new products is carbon-intensive and expensive. Buying second-hand gives items a second life, prevents them from reaching a landfill, and usually costs 50–70% less than buying new.

The Pro Move: Before buying anything new, check Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or local thrift stores. For clothes, try "clothing swaps" with friends to get a new wardrobe for $0.

5. Transition to Reusables

Single-use items like paper towels, plastic water bottles, and coffee cups are "disposable" expenses that add up to hundreds of dollars a year.

The Pro Move: Invest in a high-quality reusable water bottle and a set of cloth napkins. A one-time $20 investment can save you from buying plastic bottles and paper rolls for years.

Comparison of Savings

Habit	Environmental Impact	Potential Annual Savings
Cold Water Wash	Reduces CO2 emissions	$60 – $150
No Food Waste	Reduces Methane in landfills	$1,000+ (per family)
Buying Used	Reduces manufacturing waste	$500 – $2,000
Unplugging Devices	Lowers energy demand	$100 – $200

Creative Ideas to Reuse Plastic

Reusing plastic is a fantastic way to live more sustainably while creating functional or decorative items for your home. Since you're interested in healthy living and gardening (based on our previous "Glow & Grain" chat), many of these ideas will fit your lifestyle perfectly.

Here are some creative and practical ways to repurpose plastic:

1. For the Green Thumb (Gardening & Plants)

Drip Irrigation System: Poke small holes in a plastic bottle cap and bury the bottle upside down in a pot. It slowly releases water, perfect for keeping your herbs hydrated while you're away.
Self-Watering Planters: Cut a bottle in half. Flip the top half (with the cap) into the bottom half. Feed a cotton string through the cap into the water below to "wick" moisture up to the soil.
Seedling Starters: Use empty yogurt cups or the bottom of plastic egg cartons to start seeds before they are ready for big pots.
Mini Greenhouse: Place the clear top half of a large soda bottle over a small plant to trap heat and moisture, acting as a "cloche" for delicate sprouts.

2. Kitchen & Food Organization

The "Bottle Seal": Cut the top off a plastic bottle (the neck and cap). Thread a bag of grains or beans through the neck, fold the bag over the rim, and screw the cap on. It creates an airtight seal for bags.
Dry Goods Dispenser: Clean coffee creamer or milk jugs are excellent for storing and pouring rice, lentils, or birdseed.
Herb Freezer Trays: Use old plastic chocolate or biscuit trays to freeze small portions of herbs in olive oil or water.

3. Home & Lifestyle Hacks

Cable Organizers: Cut a plastic bottle into wide rings or "sleeves" to keep bulky appliance cords or holiday lights from tangling.
Pet Food Scoops: Cut a laundry detergent or milk jug at an angle (leaving the handle intact) to create a sturdy, free scoop for pet food or potting soil.
Plastic Bag Dispenser: Cut the bottom off a 2-liter bottle and mount it upside down. Stuff your extra grocery bags in the top and pull one out of the neck whenever you need it.

4. Crafty & Decorative Projects

Bottle Cap Mosaic Art: Save different colored caps to create a colorful "welcome" sign or garden art.
Eco-Bricks: For plastic that can't be reused (like flimsy wrappers), stuff them tightly into a 2-liter bottle until it is rock-solid. These "bricks" can be used for DIY outdoor benches or garden borders.
Jetpack Costume: A classic for kids! Spray paint two large bottles silver, attach some felt "flames" to the bottom, and add straps.

Safety Tip:

If you are reusing plastic for food or drinks, stick to plastics labeled with numbers 1, 2, 4, or 5. Avoid reusing #7 (BPA risks) or #3 (PVC) for anything that touches what you eat or drink.

duminică, 14 decembrie 2025

17 ways to help the environment and save money

We all know that trying to live more sustainably is good for the environment, but many of us are less aware that it’s good for our wallets, too.

There’s a common myth that trying to be eco-friendly costs more. But in many cases, the opposite is true – and there are plenty of ways to help the planet and improve your carbon footprint while cutting costs.

So, to inspire you, here are 17 ways to help the environment and save money.

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1. Choose tap water over bottled water

Not only is bottled water considerably overpriced, but it’s also a huge waste of plastic. We’re often led to believe that bottled water is better for us – yet it can contain plastic toxins and leave a trail of waste. Most plastic is also non-recyclable and ultimately ends up in landfills or oceans, causing untold damage to marine environments.

Tap water is usually perfectly fine to drink, and you can buy a water filter* or distiller if you’re concerned. Investing in a reusable water bottle* is another good idea.

2. Use a reusable coffee cup

Similarly, using a reusable coffee cup* will help reduce the amount of plastic and cardboard going to landfill. Many of us buy hot drinks when we’re out, so a reusable cup is a simple way to live more sustainably.

Lots of coffee shops also offer discounts to customers who bring in their own cups, so if you regularly buy hot drinks, those savings can soon add up. To find out the discounts at different coffee shops, check out this article from Ocean Finance.

3. Eat more plant-based foods

Alcohol aside, meat, fish, and dairy are often the most expensive items in a food shop, so eating more plant-based foods will likely save you money.

Plus, eating green is one of the best things you can do for the planet. According to 2023 research by Oxford University, vegan diets have 70% less environmental impact than high-meat diets. And back in 2016, studies predicted that a global switch to a mostly plant-based diet would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by two-thirds, save up to eight million lives by 2050, and avoid climate damages of $1.5 trillion.

Of course, you don’t need to switch to a fully plant-based diet to make an impact on the environment and your wallet. For example, research suggests that skipping meat for one day a week can reduce your annual carbon footprint by as much as not driving your car for a whole month. And this poll of 2,000 people found that those who reduced their meat intake saved an average of £209 per year.

The cheapest and healthiest way to eat more plant-based food is to eat more fruit and veg, and make sure you’re getting protein and other nutrients from plant sources like beans, tofu, legumes, nuts, and seeds.

To see how tasty plant-based meals can be, take a look at these 14 healthy and easy vegetarian recipes. You can also find more information in our article: What are the benefits of a whole food, plant-based diet?

4. Eat local, seasonal produce

If you’re buying more fruit and veg, it’s also helpful to eat local, seasonal produce whenever you can. All food has a carbon footprint, but food that’s flown in from abroad accounts for 11% of carbon emissions.

Eating locally not only means you’re reducing your food miles, but it’s considerably cheaper than eating out-of-season or imported produce. Seasonal produce is cheaper to harvest, while buying local produce means there’s no need for expensive transport or storage costs.

To find out more about the benefits of eating seasonally, check out our article: What fruit and vegetables are in season now?

5. Eliminate food waste

The UK throws away approximately 9.5 million tonnes of food waste each year. With animal agriculture being one of the leading causes of greenhouse gas emissions, when you consider that we’re throwing away meat, fish, dairy, and plenty of other food, the waste becomes even more harmful.

Buying food only to throw it away is also a waste of money. So, what are some of the best ways to eliminate food waste?

Plan meals: write down a rough menu for the week and only buy what’s on your list.

Batch cook: cooking in bulk and then freezing the leftovers saves time and money, and reduces waste.

Save veg scraps: use them to make veggie stock.

Rescue food: apps like Olio and TooGoodToGo allow you to buy food that would otherwise have been thrown away at a fraction of the price.

Improve your kitchen management: apps like Kitche, nosh, and No Waste help you keep track of food that needs to be eaten and suggest meals when you need to use certain ingredients.

6. Switch to a green energy supplier

Switching to a green energy supplier can make a huge difference. Not only does it show the industry the green energy demand, encouraging more suppliers to go green, but it can also greatly reduce your carbon footprint. Green energy is supplied by renewable energy generation, not fossil fuels.

There’s a common misconception that green energy is more expensive, but this isn’t true. In fact, it can save you hundreds of pounds each year.

Some suppliers offer a green tariff, which means that some (or all) of the energy you use is ‘matched’ by purchases of renewable energy that your supplier makes on your behalf.

You can find out more in our article: How do green energy tariffs work?

7. Be smart when washing your clothes

When washing your clothes, it’s always wise to have a full load of laundry. Not only does this save water, but it also saves energy – and will lead to savings in utility bills. Even if you have a tumble dryer, you should still try to line-dry outside, or rack-dry, whenever you can.

Many people are investing in heated clothes airers to speed up the drying process, as they cost a fraction of the price of tumble dryers to run. You might like to check out our article on the Best heated clothes airers for drying laundry 2025 to find out more.

Washing clothes on cold, quick, or eco-friendly cycles as much as possible will also get clothes just as clean, but use less energy to heat the water. It’s worth investing in a high-efficiency washing machine, too (A+ rated machines are best), as these also save water and money.

And finally – though it might sound obvious – try to wear clothes for longer before washing them. Of course, this doesn’t mean going around in dirty clothes! But many items of clothing don’t need to be washed after a single wear, so try to make sure the clothes you’re washing actually need it.

8. Buy second-hand

Buying second-hand is easier on your wallet and can have surprisingly powerful benefits for our environment.

Manufacturing new products increases the number of items sent to landfill, and also contributes to air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, toxic waste, water pollution, and high water use.

Second-hand and charity shops are great places to buy clothes, shoes, books, and household items, but there are also many websites where you can buy second-hand items, from electronics to jewellery. Check out websites like Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, Freecycle, Depop, Vinted, and eBay.

If you need to buy a new phone, laptop, or computer, it’s always smart to buy refurbished items – as not only are they cheaper, but they’re also usually as good as new.

9. Recycle or sell items

On a similar note, if you don’t wear certain clothes or shoes anymore, or would like to get rid of old devices or furniture, there’s no need to throw them out.

Putting items up for sale takes a bit of effort, but you’ll get money back, and no matter how much you may no longer want an item, that doesn’t mean no one else will. Remember, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure!

Our article, How to make money from your clutter, has plenty of tips on bringing in extra cash while giving new life to items you no longer use.

Even if you think you can’t sell an item, most recycling centres or local skips recycle old electronics, furniture, materials, and clothing, so it’s absolutely worth making the trip.

They accept a wide range of items including jewellery, watches, cameras, coins, medals, and more – with no cost or obligation to you.

10. Buy from sustainable brands

It’s not always possible to find what you want in second-hand shops, so if you do need to buy new clothes, try to buy from sustainable clothing brands wherever you can.

Fast fashion is a huge threat to our planet, and in the UK, around 921,000 tonnes of material are thrown away in household waste each year.

If buying new, try to look for brands that use recycled or environmentally friendly materials like organic cotton, hemp, and soya fabric, or materials that have been made using renewable energy. While these items might cost a bit more upfront, they’re designed to last, so you won’t have to replace them for a long time, which can save you money in the long run.

To check out some of the UK’s most ethical and sustainable clothing brands, have a read of this article from Good On You.

11. Unplug and switch off

Most of us don’t know electricity is still flowing to devices like laptops and phones when they’re plugged in, even when switched off. So, once your devices are fully charged, make sure to unplug them – otherwise, you’re just wasting energy and money.

If you leave your phone charger plugged in even when you’re not charging it, try to get into the habit of unplugging it. Rather than leaving your TV on standby (which many of us are guilty of), switch it off when you’re not watching it. Try to turn the lights off when you leave the room, too.

Though these are all small actions, the energy and money you save will mount up over time.

12. Buy refills

Refill shops are quickly appearing all around the country, so why not take advantage of this and start buying refills of certain products?

Refill shops usually sell things like coffee granules, soap, shampoo and conditioner, herbs and spices, and food items like pasta, rice, and nuts.

Refilling the same reusable containers cuts down on plastic waste and usually costs less, too. To find your nearest refill or zero-waste shop, head over to Local Zero Waste.

13. Make your own cleaning products

Shop-bought cleaning products are usually full of toxins and unnecessary chemicals that, when poured down the drain or toilet, can harm the environment. Plus, they’re usually packaged in lots of plastic, and over the years, the amount we spend on cleaning solutions can mount up.

So why not save money and help protect the environment by making your own cleaning products?

This can be much easier than you may think, and often involves mixing ingredients you already have at home. DIY solutions work just as well as shop-bought ones – and once you start making your own, you’ll probably never go back to buying them!

To learn more, check out our article: 7 effective natural cleaning products which cost pennies to make.

14. Swap kitchen roll for washable clothes and sponges

Kitchen roll is a staple in many kitchens, but there is normally little need to have it. Instead of buying disposable paper products that cause unnecessary deforestation (and add to landfills), why not use washable clothes or sponges to mop up spills?

You can use old cloth or kitchen towels as your ‘utility towels’, and when dirty, just toss them in the washing machine (once it’s full, of course). Not only is this greener than using paper towels, but it’s also cheaper.

15. Take up cycling

Cycling is great for your health and saves money on fuel, public transport costs, and taxi fares – and is an effective way to reduce your carbon footprint.

While walking is also great for your health and the environment, some distances are just too far to get to on foot. So why not think about going on two wheels?

If you currently commute to work, you might want to check out the government’s Cycle to Work scheme, which gives you money off a new bike and can result in significant savings.

To find out more, you might like to read our article: A beginner’s guide to cycling.

16. Consider switching to an electric car

For many of us, having a car isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity – yet transport is responsible for nearly 30% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions. While buying new petrol and diesel cars is set to be banned by 2030, why not get ahead and switch to an electric vehicle?

It may seem like a costly purchase right now, but in the long run, it could work out cheaper – and is significantly better for the planet. Plus, the government has introduced several discounts and tax incentives for electric vehicles, including drivers getting money off a new electric car via the plug-in grant.

To find out more, check out our articles: 10 of the best electric cars in 2025 and Should I buy an electric car?

17. Invest ethically

If you’re trying to save money, you might want to consider switching to an ethical bank or building society. It’s important to remember that when you have money in a current or savings account, the cash doesn’t just sit there waiting to be withdrawn; banks lend it to businesses that need financial support.

If you invest in ethical banks and building societies, they will always look at supporting green businesses first.

Final thoughts…

As this article hopefully shows, there are many ways to make a positive difference, reduce your carbon footprint, live more sustainably, and save money while at it.

Some steps, like investing in an electric car, may seem large, and you might not be in a position to make those changes today. But it’s worth remembering the returns will be large, too – both to the environment and your bank balance.

Many other steps, like using reusable water bottles and coffee cups, eating more plant-based foods, and making your own cleaning solutions, are small steps that we can all do that really make a difference.