7 steps to a more sustainable household

Here at Egg, we’re passionate about both big and small ways to positively impact the planet. We know how important it is to reduce our carbon footprint, but sometimes it can be overwhelming to know where to start. 

Your household is the perfect place to take the first step. 

Being more sustainable doesn’t have to be pricey. In fact, you’ll probably find it saves you money in the long run. With so many options to choose from, we’ve picked out five ways you can get started. 

1. Ditch single-use plastic

Packed lunches, reusable bottles, bags for life - all these are great methods for cutting down your plastic consumption. Simple steps are a great way forward. We know that plastic can take up to a whopping 450 years to biodegrade, so let’s do something about it. 

Recycling is all good and well, but did you know that less than 10% of household plastics are properly recycled? These plastics either go to landfill or end up being incinerated, damaging the environment and releasing toxic fumes into our atmosphere. And when it isn't causing problems in the UK, our plastic waste is being sent abroad to be dumped or burned. 

The solution is simple: we need to stop using so much plastic. 

There are now so many great alternatives to single use plastics in our day to day lives. Could you find a better option?

2. Reduce food waste

In Europe, the UK is the worst culprit for producing food waste. We waste around 9.5 million tonnes of it annually. Shocking, right?

Luckily there’s some simple methods to cut back on your household’s food waste. 

Meal planning is a great way to make sure you only buy what you absolutely need. Once you’ve decided what to cook, you can plan exactly what to buy from the supermarket. This way, when the end of the week arrives, there should be nothing left unused in your fridge. 

Eating leftovers is another way to cut down on food being thrown away. Whether you take them for lunch the next day or freeze them to be reheated for a quick meal, you’ll be saving both time and unnecessary waste. 

3. Drive less

Did you know that the transport sector is what causes the most pollution in the UK? 28% of all our greenhouse emissions come from exhaust fumes, and cars play a huge role in this. 

Walking and cycling are better for the environment and your health than driving. It doesn’t have to be difficult to make them a part of your routine. For instance, if you drive a short distance to collect your children from school, why not make a habit of walking home together?

If you really need to drive short distances, such as to work, you could take it in turns to car-share with a colleague. Otherwise, using public transport could save you from being stuck in the rush-hour traffic jam as well as doing your bit to help the planet. 

4. Be smart with energy 

It’s surprising how much the little things add up. And there’s lots of little things you can do to save energy at home. 

If you’re out at work all day, make sure your heating isn’t still going - there’s no point wasting energy on an empty house. And for the time you do spend at home, getting a smart thermostat makes it easy to control each room’s temperature so you’re not using too much power.

Another great energy saver is replacing your light bulbs with more energy-efficient ones. LED light bulbs use approximately 90% less electricity than their traditional counterparts - they’re pretty cheap to buy too.  

5. Buy second hand

You’ve probably heard the term “fast fashion”, but do you know how bad it is for the environment? 

Approximately 300,000 tonnes of clothing is burned or sent to landfill every year in the UK. As with food waste, we’re the worst country in Europe for throwing out our clothes. But what’s the answer to this? 

Buying second hand clothing stops this harmful waste cycle in its tracks. When you purchase something that’s already been worn, you’re prolonging the life of materials, cutting down on travel, reducing packaging and much more. 

With sites such as Facebook marketplace, Ebay and Vinted becoming increasingly popular, it’s becoming easier than ever for people to trade their old goods for money. It’s not just about clothes either - nearly anything can be bought secondhand. And where you’re saving the environment, you’re saving cash too. 

6. Get solar panels

What could be more sustainable than powering your household on 100% clean energy? Not only do solar panels drastically reduce the cost of your electricity bills, but they also lower your carbon emissions. The sun is an environmentally friendly power source and an incredibly powerful one at that, meaning your pocket and the planet will thank you. 

With the aid of a home battery, you can store your solar power to use how you want, when you want. That way, you’ll never have to worry about running out of energy overnight. Those dark winter nights will no longer be a problem. 

Getting solar panels installed really isn’t as complex as you’d think. Our expert teams will figure out how many panels you need, take care of installation and guide you through the process of tracking your energy.

7. Drive an EV

Driving an electric car is easier than it’s ever been. With charging stations popping up everywhere and more options to choose from, there are so many reasons to switch to an electric vehicle. 

It might sound a bit sci-fi, but electric powered vehicles actually feel lighter to drive. They accelerate faster, have quieter engines and release no exhaust fumes. 

Charging them doesn’t have to be a hassle either - simply leave your vehicle to charge whilst you get on with your day. If you’re out and about, nip for a coffee or do the weekly shop. At home, you can charge your car overnight and make a quick getaway in the morning. 

If you combine solar panels with a home-based electric charging station, you can even use your own energy to power your vehicle. You’ll be pretty much self-sufficient.  

Go green with Egg

Switching to sustainable energy has never been easier. At Egg, we’re all about making more planet-friendly decisions and supporting UK homes and businesses in their journey towards greener living. 

It doesn’t have to be complicated. We’re here to help you get the best deal for your household and to decide what works best for you. 

Find out more about what we’ve got to offer.