Leading a sustainable lifestyle involves making conscious choices to minimise our environmental impact and promote social responsibility, by focusing on our consumer habits, choosing eco-friendly products, and making efforts to reduce waste.
In this article, we’re going to share our favourite natural home and food products, plus some easy lifestyle tips for making greener choices and for creating a more sustainable home.
What is considered a natural home product?
In practice, a sustainable lifestyle means thinking carefully about our purchases, and choosing natural home products where possible. A natural home product is made from eco-friendly, renewable, or minimally processed materials. It is produced with a low environmental impact. As such, it is usually biodegradable, non-toxic, energy-efficient, or ethically sourced.
How do natural home products support sustainability?
Natural home products support sustainability by promoting healthier living. For example, natural home products are often free from harmful chemicals. This helps reduce our exposure to the toxins that are commonly found in conventional home goods.
Natural home products also support sustainability by minimising our environmental impact. For example, some are made from renewable materials, like bamboo or organic cotton. By buying natural products, we can therefore reduce our reliance on plastics and other harmful materials that contribute to pollution. Many natural products are also biodegradable. By opting for natural household products, we can reduce our landfill waste and help protect the environment.
3 Tips for embracing natural home products
1. Swap out everyday essentials first
One easy way to create a more sustainable lifestyle is by reducing the number of chemical-based products in your home. Start by replacing common essential household items such as cleaning products, laundry detergent, and personal hygiene purchases with natural, non-toxic alternatives. For example, you could swap chemical-rich cleaners for natural products that use vinegar, baking soda, and castile soap. You could also swap chemical-based personal care products for organic, cruelty-free shampoos, soaps, and deodorants.
2. Choose sustainable materials over plastic
Another easy way is to create a more sustainable lifestyle is by choosing natural, reusable, and biodegradable materials for your home. Start small by replacing kitchenware and bathroom items, when needed. For example, in the kitchen, you could replace plastic wrap with beeswax wraps, plastic containers with glass or stainless steel, and paper towels with cloth napkins. And, in the bathroom, you could use loofahs, wooden brushes, and natural fiber sponges instead of plastic ones. Then, continue by replacing larger furniture items. For example, pick furniture that uses bamboo, reclaimed wood, or organic cotton instead of synthetic materials.
3. Buy local & support eco-conscious brands
Another option is to support local, eco-conscious brands. If you care about sustainability, then it’s important to consider how and where products are made. By choosing products that are made locally, you can help to reduce carbon footprint. Also, by choosing products that are fairtrade, you can help encourage more companies to use ethically sourced materials and responsible production practices. If you’re really serious about sustainability, then it’s also important to consider packaging. By choosing products that have refillable, compostable, or recyclable packaging, you can help reduce environmental impact.
Shopping for natural home products
Here are our top picks for helping you create a more sustainable home!
What could be considered a natural food product?
A natural food product is a food item that is minimally processed, free from artificial additives, and derived from natural sources. A natural food product is often also either whole food, an organic food, or a locally sourced food, each of which contributes to a more sustainable and health-conscious lifestyle.
1. Whole foods
These are foods that have been minimally processed, enabling them to retain their natural vitamins, minerals, and fiber. These could include: fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and unprocessed meats. Whole foods are better for the environment than processed foods. This is because processed foods require extensive energy for production, transportation, and storage. Whereas whole foods, especially locally sourced ones, require minimal processing and transportation, thereby reducing the carbon footprint.
2. Organic foods
These are foods that have been grown without synthetic pesticides, fertilisers, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). They could include free-range eggs, organic fruit, and pesticide-free leafy greens. Organic foods are a more sustainable option than processed foods. This is because many processed foods rely on industrial farming methods that involve synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, and preservatives. Whereas organic foods support farming practices that minimise chemical use, preserving soil and water health.
3. Locally sourced foods
These are foods that have been grown near the point of sale, often within a specific region or community. This could include local farmers’ market produce or community-supported agriculture (CSA) products. Locally sourced foods are better for the environment than processed foods. This is because of reduced storage and transportation. Choosing whole foods from local farms promotes sustainable agricultural practices, reduces food miles, and supports biodiversity.
3 Tips for embracing natural food products
1. Prioritise whole, unprocessed foods
Whole foods are one the best ways to introduce more natural foods into your home. By choosing foods that come in their natural state, you can avoid purchasing too many heavily processed or refined products. If you’re keen to eat more fruit and vegetables, then try picking seasonal, locally grown produce where possible, as this will help reduce carbon footprint. If you’re looking to swap in more whole grains, then try replacing white bread, pasta, and rice with brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat, or oats. And when it comes to cooking, focus on using cold-pressed oils (olive, coconut, avocado) instead of processed vegetable oils.
As a general rule, make sure you read the ingredient labels. If a product has a long list of additives, preservatives, or artificial ingredients, then skip it!
2. Shop organic & locally sourced when possible
Eating more organic and locally grown foods can help create a more sustainable lifestyle. This is because these foods reduce pesticide exposure, support sustainable farming, and often taste better! If you’re looking for some simple swaps, try buying organic versions of high-pesticide foods like strawberries, spinach, and apples, and choosing grass-fed, free-range, and wild-caught animal products over conventionally raised ones. Where possible, try visiting farmers’ markets or joining a CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) plan for fresh, seasonal produce. Together, these small changes will enable you to make better, more sustainable food choices.
3. Cook more meals at home
Homemade meals are another great way to create a more sustainable lifestyle. This is because they allow you to manage ingredients, quality, and freshness. They also enable you to avoid purchasing ready-made processed meals that have a higher carbon footprint. If you’re looking to introduce more natural food products at home, try using fresh herbs, spices, and natural sweeteners instead of artificial flavorings. You can also try stocking your pantry with whole-food staples like dried beans, nuts, and whole grains to make cooking from scratch easier.
Embracing a more sustainable way of life
Embracing natural home and food products is a simple yet effective way to live a more sustainable lifestyle. By making mindful choices—such as swapping everyday essentials for non-toxic alternatives, opting for sustainable household items, and supporting eco-conscious brands—we can significantly reduce our environmental footprint. Similarly, buying whole, organic, and locally sourced foods helps promote healthier eating habits while supporting sustainable agriculture. Sustainability isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. Small, intentional changes in our daily routines can create a lasting impact. By committing to more natural choices in our homes and diets, we can lead a more sustainable lifestyle.
Hydration and gut health (Plus, how to improve your hydration)
