20 Quick Tips for Greener Living this Earth Day 2026

Happy Earth Day 2026! Below, you will find a list of useful eco-friendly ‘tips & tricks’ that you can try at home. Let’s continue our environmental commitment not just today, but throughout the whole year! Small daily changes can make a BIG positive impact on our World.

20 random, yet useful eco-friendly tips for your home

Switch to LED lightbulbs. Have you changed all your household lightbulbs to LEDs yet? If not, now’s a great time to do it! LED bulbs use up to 90% less energy compared to incandescent, and they last 25 times longer!

2. Turn the thermostat down or off at bedtime or when you are not home. Now that Spring is here, we can think about reducing the heat in our homes. Fingers crossed, we will soon be able to turn our thermostats off for the summer season.

3. Fix any leaky faucets. Did you know that a faucet that drips one drop per second can add up to around 11, 356 litres of wasted water annually?! Not only is this a waste of water, but also money.

4. Turn off the lights when you leave a room or your home. This should be a no-brainer, but it’s funny how we can forget to do the simplest actions sometimes!

5. Turn off and unplug electronics when they are not in use. These items can drain unnecessary energy if they are not fully off (e.g. remaining on ‘stand-by’ or ‘sleep-mode’).

6. Recycle, donate, or repurpose old clothes. I don’t know about you, but I am starting to pull out my Spring/Summer wardrobe! This is the perfect time to sort through clothes to see what you want to keep or to give away. If an item is past the donating stage, you can cut it up and use it for rags for cleaning.

7. Hang laundry outside to dry. If you have access to an outdoor laundry line, it’s now a great opportunity to use it. If you don’t have one, consider purchasing an upright laundry drying rack if you do laundry at home.

8. Turn off tap water when brushing your teeth. Believe it or not, you can save around 11, 356 litres of water annually by turning off the tap while brushing your teeth.

9. If you own a dishwasher, use it! Many of the dishwashers sold today are 95% more energy-efficient compared to those sold in earlier decades. Typically, one load uses approximately 12 litres of water. In comparison, filling a sink with water takes about 15-20 litres. Additionally, if you simply allow the faucet to run while washing, you lose around 6 litres of water per minute. This can really add up!

10. If you have a microwave, use it! Interestingly enough, microwaves use 50% less energy than conventional ovens.

11. Choose low-toxic paint when redecorating. Unfortunately, paint can contain toxins that are bad for the environment, as well as for your lungs and those with allergies. Look for paint with low rates of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or that are free from VOCs.

12. Open your fridge door less. I think we are ALL guilty of this one! Plan what you need from the fridge before opening its door. Surprisingly, fridges account for 1/6 of your home’s energy consumption.

13. Allow your hair to ‘air-dry’. Now that temperatures are starting to rise, put away your hairdryer and let mother nature do the trick! This is also a great time-saver 😉

14. Turn down the heat on your water heater. Once the summer weather begins, you may be grateful for a cooler shower.

15. If you are able, leave the car at home and start walking! Save money on gas, while at the same time lower your CO2 emissions. Also, get some extra exercise!

16. Reuse tinfoil. If you need to use tinfoil for cooking (e.g. BBQ), see if you can reuse it by washing it in soapy water, allowing it to dry, and then folding it for storage until the next use.

17. Pick-up litter while you are out for a walk. As you know, once the snow melts, there is usually a lot of litter on the ground. Take some time to pick it up. Not only will your neighbours be grateful for a cleaner block, but you’re also helping the environment.

18. Remember your reusable mug or water bottle when leaving home! In the warmer months, you will likely require more liquids throughout the day. Avoid purchasing plastic bottles or throwaway cups and bring your own.

19. Donate other items from your home or have a yard sale. Spring cleaning has officially started! Put aside any items you no longer want or use and give them a new life by donating or selling them.

20. Reduce plastic consumption. This one can be tricky, as so many products come in plastic these days. Really pay attention to what you are purchasing and how it’s packaged. Is there a more environmentally friendly option? Or, can you forgo buying the item all together?

Would you like to learn some more useful eco-friendly tips? If so, read my article, Reducing Food Waste at Home, by clicking here.