Have you thought about your eco footprint lately? We’re entering into a bold new age as a species. In the past, mankind would essentially just do what they want with mother nature (a few spiritual tribes excepting).

Now, we’ve come to understand about our eco footprint. We can’t just do what we want expecting everything to be OK. We have to be careful with our treatment of the natural environment, for everyone’s sake — the earth, animals, and humans will all be better off if we limit our impact.

While the big changes will have to be written into law, it’s also important that individuals do their bit to keep their carbon footprint to a minimum. This will include rethinking how we travel, eat, and function at home.

Below, we take a look at a few tried and tested methods for reducing your eco footprint at home.

Reduce Your Eco Footprint By Living Purposefully

By far the best way to improve your home’s carbon footprint is to live with purpose. One of the primary problems, when it comes to the environment, is that so many of us don’t think about what we’re doing — we just do it.

If you live with purpose in your home, you’ll be more conscious of your eco footprint. You’ll know that you need to turn the lights off when you’re leaving the room for more than five minutes, and that you shouldn’t keep water running when you’re brushing your teeth.

These are all small changes, sure, but they would have a lot of impact if everyone did them. So have the presence of mind to build them into your life.

Your Home’s Infrastructure Can Reduce Your Eco Footprint

One of the primary problems with carbon footprints is that, in some cases, they’re hard to mitigate. That’s because homes that were built in the past weren’t designed with the climate in mind. It’s only now that we’re understanding just how ineffective they are.

As such, one of the best ways to boost your eco-credentials is to bring your house up to modern standards, and make it more energy-efficient. If you’re not willing to do that, and are planning on moving, then move into a home that has sustainability at its core. AVID, for example, make sustainable homes that make the most of innovative design plans and energy consumption.

By living in a home that’s fundamentally better for the environment, you’ll be able to relax your actions a little. Because you’ll know that your home is doing its part!

A Reduced Eco Footprint Loves Upcycled Goods

Everyone wants their home to look good. And that typically means heading down to a furniture store, and picking out our favourite designs. There’s only one problem: most new furniture has a terrible track record when it comes to the environment, especially chairs and tables, which are made of chopped down wood.

But there is another option, one that’s good for the environment, and also looks just as good — if not better — in your home. It’s called upcycled furniture. Essentially the premise is that old and worn furniture is salvaged and given an update — you can do it yourself, or buy your pieces from someone who does it professionally.

Whatever you choose, you’ll end up with an enviable piece, and your eco conscience will be clear.

No Toxic Chemicals Reduce The Eco Footprint

We all have to keep our homes clean and looking the part. However, it’s easy to forget that many of the chemicals we use to keep things clean aren’t all that good for the environment.

Those spray bottles, the generic ones you’ll find in the supermarket, release plenty of toxic chemicals. These are not good for the environment at large or for your home’s air quality.

So instead of spraying toxic chemicals around your home, look for environmentally friendly options that use natural ingredients. There are many good and effective natural brands out there.

Who’s Providing Your Energy?

No matter what you do, it’ll be highly unlikely that you’re producing all of your own energy. If you did that, then you’d be classified as “off-grid.” So someone will be supplying your energy.

As well as limiting the amount of energy that you use, take a look at the environmental record of the company who supplies your energy. There might be a better, greener option available!

One of the great things about going “off-grid” is that you are able to save a lot of money in your day to day life. It’s one of the most attractive aspects of minimising your eco-footprint. And the great thing now is that you can save money with solar panels.

Solar panels can seem like an investment upfront. However, when you are living somewhere that sees a lot of sunshine you can very easily turn this into energy to power your home. This can start you on the journey to going “off-grid” quicker than you think!

Reducing Your Eco Footprint In the Garden

Finally, how about starting a veg garden? Not only will this give you an appreciation for nature, but it also promotes biodiversity.

Your own garden saves you from spending money on vegetables that have travelled hundreds of miles from the farm to your plate. You’ll eat the food that you’ve produced on site.