12 Ways to Be More Eco-Friendly 

Living a greener lifestyle doesn’t have to mean fitting your home with solar panels, driving an electric car, or building a compost heap in your garden. While these big changes can make a difference, smaller everyday adjustments can be just as impactful. In fact, many eco-friendly choices save money as well as r educing your environmental footprint. 

Here are twelve practical and affordable ways to live more sustainably. 

1 – Switch to renewable energy suppliers

One of the simplest steps is to choose an energy provider that supplies electricity from renewable sources such as wind or solar. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions and lowers reliance on fossil fuels. Switching is straightforward, and most suppliers now offer competitive green tariffs. 

2 – Upgrade to LED lighting

LED bulbs use around 75% less energy than traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs and last much longer—up to 25,000 hours compared with just 8,500. Even if the upfront cost is slightly higher, the long-term savings on replacements and electricity bills make LEDs a smart choice. 

3 – Turn off devices at the wall

Leaving appliances on standby wastes what’s often called “vampire energy.” TVs, consoles, and laptops left plugged in can cost UK households millions every year. By switching devices off properly, you save energy and protect the environment. This is a key point in Essential Downloads 14, which explores everyday safety and energy use. 

4 – Use Ecosia as your search engine

Ecosia is a non-profit search engine that plants trees with its ad revenue. Every online search helps fund reforestation projects, making this a simple way to contribute positively without changing your online habits. 

5 – Add plants to your home

Indoor and outdoor plants improve air quality, reduce pollutants, and create a healthier living space. They also reduce noise pollution and support biodiversity. Growing even a few small plants makes a difference. 

6 – Plan meals to reduce food waste

Food waste is one of the biggest contributors to methane emissions. Planning meals helps you buy only what you need, save money, and avoid sending leftovers to landfill. It’s an easy, family-friendly step towards a greener lifestyle. 

7 – Rethink your travel choices

Transport is a major contributor to emissions. Walking, cycling, or using public transport instead of driving reduces your carbon footprint. Even one or two days a week can add up. For those considering longer-term changes, training in sustainable transport technology is on the rise—our EV Installation Course equips electricians with the skills to support the shift to electric vehicles. 

8 – Try a staycation

Instead of flying abroad, discover the UK’s wide variety of destinations. Staycations reduce air miles and emissions while supporting local businesses and tourism. 

9 – Reduce meat consumption

Animal agriculture is a major source of greenhouse gases and water use. Even cutting meat consumption one or two days per week (such as “Meat-Free Mondays”) has an impact. It’s not about giving up meat completely, but about balance and sustainability. 

10 – Buy less, choose better

Fast fashion and consumerism contribute to waste and pollution. Try adopting the “30 wears rule”—only buy clothing if you can realistically wear it at least 30 times. Consider second-hand items, or simply reduce impulse buying. 

12 – Carry reusable items

Reusable bottles, coffee cups, and s hopping bags cut down single-use plastics. Not only does this reduce waste, but it also saves you from paying extra for disposable items. 

12 – Recycle properly

Recycling conserves raw materials, saves energy, and prevents landfill build-up. Check local council rules to ensure items are sorted correctly. Knowing which products can and can’t be recycled is essential for eco-conscious households. Guidance such as Essential Downloads 15 can help highlight the right practices. 

The bigger picture 

Small lifestyle adjustments can create a ripple effect. If millions of households make minor changes, the combined impact can be as significant as larger-scale interventions. And in sectors like electrical work, understanding eco-friendly practices is becoming a requirement. Resources such as the Electrical Regulations 19th Edition guide show how sustainability is now built into safety and compliance standards. 

If you’re interested in making a bigger difference, Elec Training offers courses that prepare you to work in sustainable sectors of the electrical industry. From renewable energy systems to EV charger installation, our training can help you play a role in building a cleaner, greener future. 

What’s the easiest first step I can take to live more sustainably? 

The easiest first step to live more sustainably is to switch to LED lighting, which reduces energy use by up to 80% compared to incandescent bulbs and saves £50-£100 annually on UK electricity bills. This requires minimal effort—just replace bulbs as they burn out—and aligns with net-zero goals by cutting emissions. Elec Training recommends LEDs in its energy efficiency modules, noting their instant impact for homeowners. 

Do LED bulbs really save that much energy compared to traditional lighting? 

Yes, LED bulbs save significant energy, using 75-80% less electricity than incandescent bulbs (e.g., 8W LED vs. 60W incandescent for similar brightness) and 50% less than CFLs, with lifespans of 25,000-50,000 hours vs. 1,000 for incandescents. In a typical UK home, switching all bulbs saves 100-150 kWh/year, or £30-£45 at 2025 rates. Elec Training emphasizes LEDs for cost and carbon savings in domestic installs. 

How much energy do devices waste if left on standby? 

Devices on standby waste £65-£147 annually per UK household, consuming 9-23% of total electricity (30-70 kWh/year), with items like TVs (1-3W), gaming consoles (10-20W), and set-top boxes (15-25W) being major culprits. Smart plugs or unplugging can cut this by 90%. Elec Training advises clients to use timers for standby reduction in home setups. 

Is Ecosia a reliable alternative to Google for eco-friendly searching? 

Yes, Ecosia is a reliable alternative, using search ad revenue to plant 200 million+ trees since 2009, offsetting 15-20 kg CO2 per 1,000 searches, with servers on renewable energy—unlike Google’s higher carbon footprint. Its search quality (via Bing) is slightly less robust but adequate for most queries, with 80% user satisfaction. Elec Training p romotes Ecosia in sustainability workshops for low-effort eco-impact. 

Can adding plants at home actually improve air quality? 

Yes, houseplants like peace lilies or spider plants improve air quality by removing pollutants (e.g., formaldehyde, benzene) at 10-20% efficiency in small spaces, per NASA studies, while boosting humidity and mental health. However, 10-15 plants are needed for significant impact in a typical room. Elec Training suggests combining plants with ventilation for green homes. 

How does meal planning reduce both food waste and household costs? 

Meal planning cuts food waste by 30-50% (UK households discard 4.5 million tonnes annually) by aligning purchases with needs, saving £500-£700/year on groceries through bulk buying and avoiding impulse purchases. Apps like Mealime streamline planning, reducing landfill methane emissions. Elec Training links this to energy-efficient appliances for sustainable kitchens. 

What travel swaps make the biggest difference to my carbon footprint? 

Top travel swaps include using public transport (e.g., trains emit 80% less CO2 than cars), cycling/walking for short trips (saves 150g CO2/km), carpooling (cuts emissions 50%), and choosing EVs (zero tailpipe emissions, 60% lifecycle reduction vs. petrol). Avoiding flights for domestic travel saves 1 tonne CO2/year. Elec Training supports EV charger installs to facilitate this shift. 

Does reducing meat consumption really impact climate change? 

Yes, reducing meat consumption significantly cuts emissions—beef produces 60 kg CO2/kg vs. 0.5 kg for vegetables, with a 50% reduction in meat intake saving 0.5-1 tonne CO2/year per person. It also lowers methane (25% of UK agricultural emissions) and land use. Elec Training promotes plant-based diets in sustainability modules for net-zero alignment. 

How can I shop more sustainably without overspending? 

Shop sustainably by buying second-hand (e.g., charity shops save £50-£100/year), choosing local/ethical brands, using reusable bags, and purchasing durable goods (e.g., LED bulbs, £5-£10 each, last 25 years). Bulk buying staples cuts costs by 20%. Elec Training advises eco-products for home upgrades without budget strain. 

What are the most common mistakes people make when recycling at home? 

Common recycling mistakes include contamination (e.g., greasy pizza boxes, 30% of bins rejected), not rinsing containers (affects 25% of recyclables), mixing non-recyclables (e.g., soft plastics), ignoring council rules (50% unaware of specifics), and improper WEEE disposal (e.g., batteries in general bins). Elec Training teaches proper WEEE recycling, reducing landfill waste in electrical work.