Many people believe green living is expensive. However, with easy lifestyle changes and a few inexpensive swaps, sustainability is achievable for every budget.
As climate change, plastic pollution and other key environmental issues come to light, more people are eager to adopt sustainable practices. However, many people think making eco-friendly decisions about personal behaviors and purchases is too expensive. Cost can deter people from taking the first steps.
Sustainability doesn’t have to break the bank, though. In fact, there are several ways for people to make mindful decisions about what they buy and how they live without making significant investments.
Is Sustainable Living Really More Expensive?
Cost is one of the main barriers to sustainability, with 52% of older generations, 47% of Gen X and 50% of millennials arguing green products are too expensive. Yet, people still want to live consciously for the health of the planet.
A 2024 Deloitte report about consumer sustainability revealed that respondents modified their behaviors to avert the high cost of eco-friendly purchases. Over 12 months, 73% of consumers recycled, and 68% reduced their food waste. Another 61% limited their use of single-use plastic, while 58% avoided buying too many new products. Similarly, 56% of people opted to repair and reuse items rather than replace them.
The study suggests that many people have found ways to adopt green habits despite the perception that sustainable living is too costly.
11 Ways to Adopt Sustainability on a Budget
The idea that sustainability is always a financial strain is a myth. There are several budget-friendly or free ways to minimize one’s environmental impact at home, from minor routine modifications to inexpensive swaps for energy efficiency. These 11 tips can help everyone adopt green living inexpensively — one small change at a time.
1. Install a Smart Thermostat
Innovative technologies have made sustainability feasible for every budget. While a smart thermostat costs money to purchase and install, it can save residents money on heating and cooling bills.
For example, in the U.S., Energy Star smart thermostats decrease heating and cooling bills by 8% on average per year. Other adjustments — like lowering or raising the temperature according to the season — can further reduce energy consumption.
2. Switch to Efficient Lighting
Light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs consume 75% less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs, making them an easy, affordable and efficient swap. These modern bulbs also last 25 times longer, meaning fewer replacements and less waste.
LED technology has come a long way. Today, consumers can find a variety of lighting options, from warm to cool LED bulbs and ones with color-changing modes. They can also come with motion sensors or be used for landscape lighting.
To optimize their efficiency, individuals can integrate smart lighting solutions. These enable automated dimming and programmable scheduling to adjust LEDS according to daylight hours or how many people are home, which saves energy in underutilized areas like a garage or closet.
3. Stay Ahead of Home Maintenance
Ongoing maintenance is a crucial part of homeownership. It’s also a great place to integrate more sustainable behaviors without them costing a fortune. Inspecting and fixing smaller issues prevents them from turning into costly repairs and replacements later on. People can also extend the life span of their appliances by making sure they are operating properly.
Creating a checklist is helpful for keeping track of essential tasks, like checking water fixtures for leaks, inspecting the HVAC and cleaning out the gutters. Some may want to organize maintenance tasks by season.
Of course, not all home systems are fixable. For instance, if a garage door is 10 to 15 years old and continuously fails to close, it may be wise to replace it. The same could be true for an older roof or insulation.
4. Invest in Water-Conserving Fixtures
Older bathroom fixtures — toilets, faucets and showerheads — may not meet today’s standards for water conservation. By replacing these with newer models, people can reduce their water consumption without compromising functionality and pressure.
Aerators are inexpensive and easy to install in a sink faucet to restrict water flow. Smart sensors are another intriguing way to detect activity in the bathroom and only run water or flush when necessary.
Of course, low-flush and dual-flush toilets may be somewhat more costly than smaller fixtures and their components, but they are worth the investment in the long run. Dual-flush toilets allow users to choose between a full or a lower-pressure flush, which saves even more water.
5. Take Shorter Showers
Many enjoy a hot shower to start their day or help them unwind in the evenings. However, staying in there for too long can cause water waste, consume ample energy and increase utility bills.
Eco-friendly showerheads often use less water compared to their traditional counterparts. Although this is an easy swap, the average person can also reduce their water consumption by taking shorter showers. If necessary, using a timer can help track how long a shower lasts.
6. Recycle and Reuse
The United Kingdom has improved its recycling system in recent years and has set its sights on reducing 65% of municipal waste by 2035. Currently, two out of five people are unsure how to recycle items correctly, with 85% attempting to recycle unacceptable items.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Americans recycled only 32.1% of municipal solid waste in 2018, equal to 94 million metric tons.
Local collections programs usually provide guidelines for what they accept to make recycling less complicated. Typically, plastic, glass and metal must be empty and clean before being discarded, while paper goods must be flattened with all tape and labels removed.
Of course, giving a second purpose to household items can also address waste. Using old fabric as dust rags or repurposing worn-out shirts into reusable totes for grocery shopping can give traditionally discarded items a second life.
7. Unplug Electronic Devices
Many people don’t realize their electronic devices still use energy when they’re on standby or turned off but plugged in. Unplugging one’s laptop, tablet, television and gaming console can help conserve energy.
Power strips are inexpensive and easy to find. They make saving energy at home simple. By using power strips, homeowners can turn multiple devices on and off simultaneously.
8. Use DIY Cleaning Supplies
Store-bought cleaning supplies contain harmful chemicals that damage ecosystems once they work their way through drainage systems. It’s best to make homemade cleaning solutions using everyday household ingredients.
Water and vinegar are highly effective for cleaning glass shower doors. Vinegar’s mild acidity removes tough stains without damaging surfaces, while water dilutes the vinegar for a gentler cleaner. Some people also add lemon or essential oils for a more pleasant scent.
Other common ingredients and homemade solutions include:
- Baking soda and water to create a scrub or neutralize foul odors
- White vinegar and water to kill bacteria and viruses or use as an all-purpose cleaner
- Lemon juice for removing grease, grime and bad smells
- Hydrogen peroxide and water for disinfecting surfaces
- Borax for removing laundry stains and odors
9. Air Dry Laundry
Dryers use a lot of energy and are a major culprit of a home’s carbon footprint. Additionally, the heat can damage clothes. Therefore, homeowners should consider air-drying their laundry.
People can purchase inexpensive drying racks or create a clothesline to hang their garments from outside. Even better, this will leave clothes smelling like fresh air and sunshine.
10. Compost Leftover Food
Research has discovered that an astounding 40% of the world’s grown food never gets eaten. Most of it ends up in landfills or at mass burn facilities. In fact, the EPA says food accounts for 24% of landfill waste and 22% of incinerated waste.
Composting leftovers is a simple and effective way to reduce food waste and create organic soil for the yard. Many people leave their compost bin outside, while others keep a small container on their kitchen counter.
In addition to kitchen scraps and produce, the ideal materials are leaves, sawdust, paper and lawn clippings. It’s best to turn the compost weekly to aid decomposition and reduce odors. The compost should be moist at all times but not saturated or soggy.
11. Use Government Incentives
The U.S. and U.K. each offer residents and businesses financial incentives to transition to green living, making costly eco-friendly products more affordable.
Americans could qualify for a 30% tax credit — up to $3,200 — for energy efficiency improvements they make through 2032. Possible upgrades include rooftop solar panels, geothermal heat pumps, exterior windows and doors, water heaters and biomass stoves or boilers.
Meanwhile, U.K. residents may be eligible for a loan through the Green Deal. Residents could consider drought-proofing, upgrading windows and doors, incorporating energy-efficient lighting, or adopting renewable energy through the use of solar panels or heat pumps.
Interested residents should call a Green Deal assessor. They will review the property, ask questions about household energy use and determine whether Green Deal improvements would be beneficial. Following the visit, the resident will receive an Energy Performance Certificate with their home’s energy efficiency rating, an occupant assessment of at-home energy consumption and recommendations for upgrades.
Live More Sustainably While Saving Money
Many eco-friendly changes at home can actually save people money in the long term. Even a small investment in energy- and water-conserving appliances and fixtures makes a difference in utility costs. Most importantly, people can contribute to the planet’s well-being without financial pressure.
By Evelyn Long, editor-in-chief of Renovated