Kick-start 2024 with sustainable living actions for your household

A new year is the perfect time to make some positive changes at home. Sustainable living is about treading more gently on the earth, using only what you really need and protecting the environment.

From simple and free through to complex and costly, there are options to suit all circumstances. Challenge your household to take on some actions:

Adopt a green mindset – reconnect with nature and understand that we are all part of the same ecosystem and share this beautiful world. Connect to environment groups near you, which you can find via the Community Directory.

Rethink ownership – consider borrowing, loaning, hiring, leasing or sharing instead. Do you really need to own everything? Why not join a toy library or tool library?

Practice mindful consumption – think local, seasonal, fairtrade, organic, high quality, reusable, repairable, second-hand options, and items made from recycled materials.

Avoid food waste – plan your meals weekly, check your pantry/freezer/fridge first, then write a shopping list, and stick to it. Store food correctly and keep short-life items in a ‘use me first’ central fridge shelf. For unavoidable food waste, compost right in your green lid FOGO bin, or set-up your own home compost bin or worm farm.

Visit Repair Café Surf Coast – where you can take broken or damaged items and get them repaired by volunteer experts for free. Repair Café is held monthly at Aireys Inlet Community Hall. @RepairCafeSurfCoast.

Recycle right in your yellow lid recycling bin – no soft plastics or plastic bags, keep items loose, and no food. To ensure you are recycling correctly, download SCRRApp.

Work out your ecological footprint – see where you can take climate action and reduce your emissions. Try this locally-created calculator by Surf Coast Energy Group: Try this locally-created calculator by Surf Coast Energy Group.

Reduce your energy use, electrify your house and switch to renewables – check out the local Energy Tips website to increase your comfort, reduce your bills and help the climate.

Plant indigenous plants in your garden – help provide wildlife habitat. Mulch your garden to reduce evaporation and reduce weeds. Avoid the use of dangerous chemicals and poisons to help protect our wildlife.

Learn more about the natural environment – record and share your observations with the free iNaturalist app. Join the online community who can help identify what you’ve seen.