Thrifty living: 8 eco-friendly hacks

Want to help save the planet and save your pennies? Here are some easy-to-implement eco-friendly hacks and habit changes that will do a world of good. 

Be travel wise 

For Kiwis, travelling overseas necessarily means clocking a few air miles, but being sustainable in your approach is still possible. For a start, many airlines enable you to offset your carbon miles before you even take off. Once you’re away, shop, stay and eat at locally owned places, so the economic benefits go back to the place itself, not global conglomerates. In hotels, decline daily room cleaning if you don’t need it, and when you’re out exploring, travel on public transport where possible – you’ll never feel more like a local than on the bus! 

Be more thoughtful with presents 

Gift giving is great, but it can be a key player in the overconsumption cycle we’re all stuck in. And on those occasions when you don’t quite nail it, the receiver is left with another thing they don’t need. Experiences, on the other hand, can be much more special than stuff, and even create ways for you and pals to spend quality time together. Think movie or theatre tickets, a restaurant voucher, a pizza or cocktail making class, a spa day, a weekend away – even just cooking a great meal could bring them more joy than an ill-fitting sweater or some novelty socks. 

Decorate responsibly 

If you’re giving your interiors a bit of a spruce up, then being eco-conscious about your updates will be good for the planet and your health. A rug can really elevate a room and bring extra warmth and comfort, but make sure you opt for natural fibres like wool; synthetics are energy intensive to produce and can shed microplastics when cleaned. Use paints that have the Eco Choice Aotearoa seal of approval, which ensures they’re not full of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can pollute the air with harmful gases. Buying pre-loved furniture from Trade Me or second-hand stores will give your home a sophisticated vintage look with pieces from the good old days, when things were built to last. 

Buy quality clothing 

It’s estimated that somewhere in the region of 100 billion garments are produced globally every year, resulting in huge amounts of discarded fabric finding its way to landfill. Buying less is best, but when you do need new gear, go for clothing that’s made to last. And remember, cost doesn’t necessarily equal quality, so closely inspect the item itself. Look for natural fibres that are strong and durable like cotton, linen and wool, rather than synthetics or blends. Check for well-stitched seams, particularly in stress areas, and ensure buttons and zips are sturdy. Being able to do up your clothes is critical for longevity. 

Rethink your laundry habits 

Caring for your clothes also helps them last longer. Frequent washing causes fabric to wear out faster, uses lots of water… and creates more chores! Try spot cleaning rather than throwing the whole garment in the washing machine, hang things in the fresh air if they smell musty, or bring them into the bathroom when you’re taking a shower to give them a steam clean.  

Grow your own food 

Want to do more by doing less? Consider creating a no-dig garden. The good news is that it doesn’t require any back-breaking effort by you. The even better news? No-dig gardening boosts soil health by preserving its natural structure and beneficial microbes. It also reduces erosion, improves water retention and minimises weed germination. What more could you want? Choose a suitable spot, like a planter bed or box, lay down cardboard or newspaper, add compost, manure and other organic matter, then plant directly into this rich layer. Soon you’ll be saying hello to healthier plants and a thriving ecosystem in your own backyard! 

Reduce food waste 

Food waste is a major emitter of greenhouse gases, and given how much groceries cost these days, the thought of throwing anything away feels even more painful. A few common culprits that end up going off and getting tossed are potatoes, bread and bananas. To combat that, try these top tips: Keep bread in the freezer rather than the fridge, as that can actually make it spoil more quickly; store potatoes away from their old friends, the bag of onions, as onions make potatoes sprout faster; ensure bananas are not sharing the bowl with other fruit, like apples and pears, as the gas they produce speeds up the ripening process in bananas.    

Change your mindset 

To have a truly eco-friendly mindset, we often just need to break old habits and, annoyingly, be more organised. From bringing leftovers for lunch to taking bags with us when we shop, to having reusable cups and drink bottles handy, we can avoid all that single-use stuff. When it comes to bigger purchases, ask yourself these three things: Do I need it? What problem does it solve? Is there a sustainable alternative? Sure, having new things is nice, but saving dollars and the planet means you can give your halo a jolly good polish.