Adding sustainability to your already-hectic schedule can feel like too much work for an already full-time job like being a mother. What if, however, turning green didn’t need more work?
Guest author Jett Kennedy shares some simple, stress-free eco-friendly tips below
Simple Ways to Go Green Without Adding to Your To-Do
by Jett Kennedy
Ever feel like living sustainably is too expensive or complicated? You’re not alone. A recent survey revealed that while 89% of Australians consider a sustainable lifestyle important, 43% say they simply can’t afford it. It’s a frustrating paradox: we want to do the right thing, yet our day-to-day habits and budgets hold us back.
“Sustainability at home isn’t just about reducing waste—it’s about creating long-term financial stability for your family. The small choices we make every day, from cutting energy costs to choosing reusable products, can add up to significant savings. Like a smart business investment, a sustainable home isn’t an expense but a strategy. By making mindful, eco-friendly decisions now, you’re protecting the planet and setting up a financially secure future for your family,” advised environmentalist and small business loan provider Shane Perry of Max Funding.
So ask yourself: Could a few simple habit tweaks be the game-changer for sustainable living? Keep reading to find out.
1. Meal Prep to Reduce Waste (and Save Money)
Think meal prepping is just for gym buffs and MasterChef contestants? Think again. The average Aussie kitchen is a hotspot for waste – Australia throws out a whopping 7.6 million tonnes of food each year, costing households $19.3 billion. That’s roughly $1,000 from each family’s pocket going straight into the bin annually. Not very sustainable for the planet or your wallet, right?
Plan your meals and love your leftovers. By prepping meals for the week (or even a couple of days ahead), you buy and use only what you need. Roast a big veggie tray on Sunday, toss the extras into Monday’s lunch salad, and suddenly skip the midweek supermarket run and the guilt of tossing slimy greens.
This simple habit slashes food waste and saves you time and money – a win-win that makes sustainable living refreshingly easy. After all, who knew cutting your carbon footprint could start with Tuesday night’s dinner?
2. Green Your Cleaning Routine
Cupboard full of strong cleaning chemicals because you think you need them to kill germs? Consider a greener twist. Studies have found that common household cleaners can release over 500 different volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – nearly 200 of which are classified as hazardous to our health.
These chemicals don’t just vanish after you’ve scrubbed the loo; they linger in your home’s air, leaving indoor air quality up to 5 times more polluted than outdoors. Yikes.
Keeping a spotless home doesn’t require a hazmat suit. Swap out harsh chemical sprays for eco-conscious cleaning habits. For example, white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda can tackle most cleaning jobs with surprising efficacy (yes, your grandma was onto something). There are also plant-based cleaners that omit the toxic VOC cocktail and clean just as well – without the “eucalyptus-meets-bleach” headache.
By simplifying your cleaning arsenal to a few gentle, multipurpose products, you’ll minimise indoor pollution and environmental runoff and save yourself the stress of managing a dozen specialty cleaners: cleaner home, cleaner conscience – all without breaking a sweat.
3. Simplify Your Skincare Sustainably
Walk into any bathroom and you might find a 10-step skincare lineup worthy of a beauty influencer. But beneath those pretty bottles lies an ugly truth: the beauty industry pumps out over 120 million units of packaging every year, with packaging waste making up 70% of the industry’s waste.
And the kicker? Only about 9% of plastics actually get recycled – the rest of those cleanser tubes and serum droppers are headed for landfills or oceans. In short, our quest for glowing skin generates a not-so-glowing environmental footprint.
It’s time for a sustainable approach to your skincare. First, streamline your routine—find multi-use products that do more with less (think a moisturiser with natural SPF or a shampoo bar that doubles as body soap). Fewer products mean less packaging waste and clutter.
Next, support brands that offer refillable containers or biodegradable packaging. (Psst… Green Foot Mama’s skincare line is a great example, with non-toxic, earth-friendly ingredients and minimal packaging.)
Also, consider a DIY touch: simple recipes like a homemade coffee scrub can repurpose kitchen waste and reduce microplastics in store-bought exfoliants. By cleansing your beauty routine of excess, you’ll pamper your skin without trashing the planet – all while saving time each morning. Who says going green can’t make you feel fabulous?
4. Shop Mindfully and Ditch the Greenwashing
Retail therapy alert: It’s tempting to buy the latest “eco-friendly” gadget or organic cotton T-shirt because it’s marketed as sustainable. But here’s a radical idea – buy less, choose well. Many Aussies are understandably skeptical about green claims: 71% find it hard to tell if a product touted as “sustainable” is actually eco-friendly, and 58% are wary of greenwashing tactics that inflate prices.
In other words, we’re often sold sustainability with a hefty side of confusion (and cost). The solution? Mindful shopping. Before you pull out your wallet, ask: Do I really need this? Is there a greener alternative? Often, the greenest product is the one you don’t buy. Use up what you have, repair items instead of replacing them, and embrace second-hand shopping – your op shop finds add character and prevent waste.
When you need something new, do some homework: look for trustworthy certifications (like organic, Fair Trade, or B Corp) and transparent brands (we at Green Foot Mama vet our partners rigorously, so our community gets genuinely sustainable options).
By being a conscious consumer, you’ll send a message that quality beats quantity and that real sustainability can’t be achieved with a quick swipe of the credit card. Less clutter, waste, and buyer’s remorse – that’s a habit worth forming.
5. Join a Like-Minded Community (You’re Not Alone)
Trying to save the world solo can feel overwhelming. The secret antidote? Don’t go it alone. Habits are easier (and way more fun) to stick with when a support network cheers you on. In fact, sustainable living can even bring people closer – 64% of Millennials say that adopting a greener lifestyle has brought their family together. The journey to eco-friendliness isn’t a lone wolf trek; it’s a team sport.
So, tap into the power of community. Link up with friends or family to tackle a green challenge together – whether it’s a weekly meal-prep session or a friendly competition on who can slash their energy use the most this month.
Join online groups or local workshops to swap tips and celebrate wins.
By surrounding yourself with people on the same mission, you’ll gain accountability, new ideas, and a sense of we’re in this together. Suddenly, those “small” habits – bringing your reusable coffee cup, biking to work on Fridays, DIY-ing your cleaning spray – feel less like chores and more like a collective movement. Together, we can turn sustainable habits into the new norm.
Ready to Embrace Sustainable Living with Green Foot Mama?
Sustainable living isn’t about being an all-perfect, off-grid hippie; it’s about small, smart choices that add up. The takeaway is simple – you have more eco-friendly power in your daily routine than you think. By incorporating even a couple of these habits, you’ll chip away at that 43% affordability barrier and prove that living green can be stress-free and rewarding.
At Green Foot Mama, we’re all about making sustainable living second nature for Australians. Whether through our expert-backed tips, natural products, or the support of our vibrant subscriber community, we provide the tools and inspiration you need to thrive on your eco-journey.
Together, let’s flip the script on sustainable living and make those “imperfect” green habits the new Aussie way of life. Your journey starts now – let’s make green living your new normal!
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels
About the Author
Jett Kennedy is a freelance writer based in Sydney, passionate about crafting compelling stories that inspire and inform. With a deep love for nature, Jett finds creativity in the great outdoors, whether hiking along coastal trails or exploring lush national parks.
As an advocate against single-use plastic, Jett is dedicated to promoting sustainable practices through their writing, encouraging individuals and businesses to make eco-conscious choices. Whether covering environmental topics, lifestyle trends, or insightful human-interest pieces, Jett’s work reflects a commitment to meaningful storytelling and positive change.
When not writing, Jett enjoys sipping locally brewed coffee, supporting ethical brands, and finding new ways to live a more sustainable life.
