WE ALL KNOW how much the environment needs our help; we’re bombarded with troubling news about climate change and our energy consumption on a daily basis.

It can be daunting to know where to start, but even the smallest adjustments in your regular routine can make a big difference, whether you’re being more mindful of your energy use or cutting down on single-use plastics.

Larger scale changes, like switching to a more sustainable electricity plan or replacing appliances with more efficient models, are also worth considering. 

So, what comes first? If you’re looking for ways to be more sustainable in your daily life, here are nine easy ways you can start today.

1. Swap your toothbrush for a sustainable version: Pat Kane, owner of the sustainability shop Reuzi, explained that toothbrushes pose a major problem for recycling:

Toothbrushes are products you have to use every day, a person is going to use 300 toothbrushes in their lifetime – and none of the standard toothbrush is biodegradable because they’re made of mixed materials like silicone, plastic and nylon.

Kane pointed out that recycling centres can’t stop to separate the mixed materials in a plastic toothbrush to recycle them, but a bamboo toothbrush can actually be composted when you are finished using it, usually after three to six months. 

2. Replace products with low-energy options: Energy efficient products can actually help lower your energy costs in the long run, as well as helping the environment. Sarah Miller, CEO of the Rediscovery Centre, recommended choosing energy efficient replacements when you run out of something at home:

Whether it’s a light bulb, washing machine or even your car, when you need to replace something, make sure the replacement you choose is an energy efficient option.

Shutterstock / Rasstock Shutterstock / Rasstock / Rasstock

When it come to fuel choices, it’s important to think sustainably as well – try a 100% renewable gas, like Calor BioLPG.

3. Invest in a reusable water bottle: If you find you’re often picking up a disposable bottle to quench your thirst when you’re out and about, or stocking up on pallets of them at the grocery store, swapping in a reusable water bottle is a simple fix. Kane put our plastic water bottle use in stark perspective when she said,“Every 24 hours in Ireland, 220,000 plastic water bottles are consumed, and that’s just water bottles – not even fizzy drinks.” She suggested that the key to choosing a reusable water bottle is finding one that you can and will bring with you when you head out the door.

4. Purchase a reusable coffee cup: It’s hard to believe our collective disposable coffee cup problem could be twice as bad as our plastic bottle problem, but it is, Kane explained:

520,000 coffee cups are disposed of and that gives you 200 million cups per year. People here love tea and coffee, from young to old it’s a bunch of plastic cups everywhere.

She said the key to choosing a reusable cup is looking for an option that is BPA free, which means it will be less toxic for your body, and that it’s made in a sustainable way. 

Shutterstock / Colin Hui Shutterstock / Colin Hui / Colin Hui

5. Use a charcoal water filter: If you’re concerned that tap water won’t taste as nice as bottled water, pick up a charcoal stick water filter. Kane explained that a charcoal filter is fool-proof: “Put the charcoal stick inside the water and after an hour, it’s good to drink. You’re not choosing any sort of chlorine and chemicals and they can be used in any bottle or jug and composted at the end.” 

6. Use less water to flush your toilet: New toilets almost all use less water when flushing, but if you have an older style toilet it’s probably using more water than necessary with every flush. Miller has a creative solution: “We would never suggest that somebody replace the cistern in your toilet, but you can put a brick or a filled bottle in the cistern to displace the water so that each flush uses less.” 

7. Opt for a night tariff: If you are typically out of the house all day, consider switching your utility plan to one that gives you a lower rate for using electricity at night time, typically between 10-11pm to 9am. Miller explained that running your dishwasher or tumble dryer late at night or earlier in the morning could lower your bills with a night saver or night tariff plan.

8. Find simple ways to reduce your energy consumption: Miller suggested taking a look at your daily routine in order to find ways to reduce your energy consumption. For example, if you often run your dishwasher or washing machine half full, Miller had a simple, energy-saving fix: “Don’t. Wait until it’s full to run it.” Likewise, she suggested turning off lights when you leave the room and unplugging appliances you aren’t using – simple tricks we all know but can often forget. 

Shutterstock / Sherbak_photo Shutterstock / Sherbak_photo / Sherbak_photo

9. Walk more, drive less: Miller pointed out that some changes we could make in our daily routines could result in bonus benefits: “Things that are good for the environment can also be good for your health – cycling, walking more, not taking out the car.” Those types of adjustments to your routine might take a little extra time, but could benefit your health and your wallet in the long term.

Calor BioLPG is a 100% certified renewable energy, available all over Ireland. Made from sustainably sourced renewable vegetable oils and waste materials, it is delivered, stored and used in exactly the same way as conventional LPG. Calor BioLPG can reduce your home or business carbon emissions by at least 50%, helping you to make a small change for the better.