We’ve had enough. It’s time to move beyond token gestures and marketing fluff disguised as sustainability. Real change doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from better choices, made more frequently and making them your new normal. In your home, your kitchen, your wardrobe, even your inbox. Every small step adds up.

Here are 100 small but powerful ways I can help the environment—grouped by everyday categories to inspire your journey towards low-tox, low-waste, planet-positive living.

♻️ Reduce Waste at Home: What Are Easy Swaps I Can Make to Cut Down Plastic?

1. Switch to refillable cleaning products like Spruce's powder-based surface cleaner refills that eliminate plastic waste and harsh chemicals

2. Use laundry detergent sheets instead of plastic pods—Spruce's non-toxic, fragrance-free sheets are kinder to skin, oceans, and your washing machine

3. Compost food scraps (even if it’s just coffee grounds and veg peels)

4. Replace cling film with beeswax wraps

5. Buy products with minimal or plastic-free packaging

6. Swap kitchen roll for reusable cloths or Spruce’s plastic-free sponge, made from natural cellulose

7. Repurpose glass jars as containers

8. Shop from bulk or refill stores

9. Cancel junk mail

10. Ditch bottled water for a good filter jug

🚿 Personal Care: How Can I Clean Myself Without Polluting the Planet?

11. Use solid shampoo bars

12. Choose fragrance-free, non-toxic toiletries

13. Avoid microbeads in scrubs and toothpaste

14. Opt for menstrual cups or reusable pads

15. Use reef-safe sunscreen

16. Avoid aerosols and sprays that pollute your indoor air 

17. Switch to a bamboo toothbrush free from plastic

18. DIY deodorant or toothpaste with natural ingredients

19. Use safety razors instead of disposables

20. Read labels and avoid parabens, phthalates, and formaldehyde (commonly found in hair dyes, chemical straighteners, and many mainstream home cleaning products)

👕 Wardrobe Swaps: How Do My Clothes Impact the Environment?

21. Buy less, choose quality

22. Repair or tailor instead of discarding

23. Shop second-hand or vintage

24. Boycott fast fashion brands and invest in long-term wardrobe staples

25. Learn basic sewing skills to mend clothes and get more wear out of them

26. Attend clothes swap events with friends

27. Choose natural fibres like organic cotton, wool, hemp, or silk instead of polyester, nylon, or acrylic

28. Wash clothes in cold water to save energy and preserve fabric

29. Use a wash bag in the laundry to catch microfibres released during laundry cycles these tiny fibres often shed from synthetic clothes and end up polluting oceans

30. Skip synthetic clothes made from recycled plastic bottles (yes, even those!). Not only are they bad for the planet, but they can also be harmful to your health due to the release of microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals

🍽 Eating Sustainably: What Changes in My Diet Help the Planet?

31. Eat more plant-based meals made from whole foods that require less energy and water to produce

32. Reduce red meat and dairy to cut down methane emissions and deforestation

33. Grow your own herbs or veg even a windowsill garden counts

34. Buy seasonal, local produce to lower transport emissions

35. Store food correctly to reduce spoilage and waste

36. Freeze leftovers in labelled tubs to extend their life

37. Plan meals and avoid overbuying with a weekly menu and shopping list

38. Bring your own containers to restaurants or takeaways to avoid disposable packaging

39. Support local veg box schemes that prioritise regenerative farming

40. Choose unpackaged fruits and vegetables, and even better at your local farmers market, which reduces carbon footprint and is better for small businesses

🚗 Travel Choices: How Can I Cut Down My Carbon Footprint?

41. Walk or cycle instead of driving these zero-emission options not only cut carbon but improve air quality and physical health

42. Use public transport when available trains, buses, and trams emit far less CO2 per passenger than private cars

43. Offset emissions from flights by contributing to verified reforestation or renewable energy projects

44. Avoid unnecessary flights - short-haul flights have a disproportionately large carbon footprint compared to other forms of travel

45. Join a car share or lift club to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and make more efficient use of fuel

46. Buy an EV or hybrid (if needed) to cut tailpipe emissions and lower long-term fuel and maintenance costs

47. Keep tyres properly inflated to improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions from my car

48. Batch errands into one trip to minimise mileage and avoid repeated unnecessary journeys

49. Don’t leave your car engine idling. This wastes fuel, increases pollution, and contributes to urban smog

50. Prioritise trains over domestic flights as they produce up to 90% fewer emissions and allow you to travel more comfortably and sustainably

🏡 Home Habits: How Do I Make My House More Eco-Friendly?

51. Switch to renewable energy providers to cut fossil fuel dependence and support a cleaner grid

52. Turn off lights when not needed to reduce electricity waste and lower energy bills

53. Install smart thermostats to regulate heating efficiently and avoid unnecessary energy use

54. Insulate your home to reduce heating costs and cut carbon emissions during colder months

55. Air-dry laundry instead of using a dryer to save energy and reduce fabric wear

56. Unplug devices on standby to prevent phantom energy drain and save electricity

57. Use LED bulbs which consume up to 80% less energy than traditional bulbs and last longer

58. Install low-flow shower heads to cut down water use without sacrificing pressure

59. Harvest rainwater for garden use, reducing dependence on mains supply and conserving resources

60. Use eco-friendly paint when renovating and clean up afterwards using Spruce’s floor cleaner that’s free from bleach and synthetic residues, helping protect indoor air quality and waterways

🛒 Smarter Shopping: How Can I Buy Without Harming the Planet?

61. Support brands with transparent sustainability practices to ensure I’m backing businesses that value people and the planet

62. Buy less and avoid impulse purchases to reduce waste, save money, and keep only what you truly need

63. Research how and where things are made to choose items with lower environmental impact and better labour practices

64. Choose certified B Corps and ethical brands that meet high standards for sustainability and social responsibility

65. Bring reusable shopping bags everywhere to eliminate single-use plastic bags and reduce landfill waste

66. Skip unnecessary online orders to minimise packaging waste and reduce carbon emissions from delivery

67. Buy refurbished electronics to extend product life and reduce e-waste

68. Avoid products with fake green claims by checking for certifications and reading ingredient or material labels

69. Choose timeless design over trendy tat to build a more sustainable lifestyle with durable, well-loved items

70. Take your time before checking out to avoid impulse buying and ensure each purchase aligns with my values

🌿 Gardening & Outdoors: How Can I Give Back to Nature?

71. Plant trees or donate to reforestation groups to absorb carbon dioxide, restore ecosystems, and protect biodiversity

72. Grow pollinator-friendly flowers to support bees, butterflies, and other insects essential for food production and plant health

73. Avoid pesticides in the garden to protect soil health, local wildlife, and clean water systems

74. Join beach cleans or park cleanups to remove plastic pollution, protect marine life, and raise awareness in my community

75. Make a bird or bee-friendly garden by planting native species, providing shelter, and avoiding chemicals

76. Use homemade compost to enrich soil naturally, reduce food waste, and cut the need for chemical fertilisers. You can even add compostable packaging like Spruce’s refill sachet packaging by cutting it in small bits to help nourish your garden while reducing landfill waste.

77. Volunteer with local eco groups to contribute your time and skills to causes that protect and regenerate nature

78. Avoid artificial turf because it prevents water absorption, overheats outdoor spaces, and creates plastic waste

79. Collect and reuse rainwater for watering plants or cleaning, which conserves treated tap water and saves on bills

80. Don’t use peat-based compost to protect peatlands, which are crucial carbon sinks and rich natural habitats

💧 Water Wisdom: How Do I Stop Wasting Water?

81. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth to save up to 8 litres of water per minute and reduce unnecessary water waste

82. Reuse grey water on plants to make the most of lightly used water from sinks or showers and reduce overall consumption

83. Only run full loads of dishes and laundry to maximise efficiency and cut down on water and energy use

84. Fix dripping taps and leaks to prevent thousands of litres of water being wasted over time

85. Use a bowl when washing produce instead of running water constantly to conserve water and reuse it for plants

86. Upgrade to water-saving toilets or dual-flush systems to significantly reduce household water use

87. Shower for less time to save both water and energy used to heat it

88. Mulch garden beds to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and reduce the need for frequent watering

89. Avoid hosing down patios by sweeping instead, which conserves water and avoids chemical runoff

90. Grow native, drought-resistant plants that require less watering and are better adapted to local climate conditions

🌎 Be an Advocate: How Can I Inspire Others to Join Me?

91. Talk about your low-tox swaps—like switching to Spruce’s refillable sprays and laundry sheets—and share how easy these changes really are. You can even earn rewards for referring friends through Spruce’s Give £5, Get £5 programme.

92. Share environmental wins on social media to inspire your community and normalise eco-friendly choices

93. Email your MP about green legislation and urge them to support climate-positive policies

94. Sign or share climate action petitions to raise awareness and amplify your voice for change

95. Support sustainable, women-led businesses that prioritise people, planet, and purpose over profit

96. Leave reviews for eco products you love so others can make informed, conscious decisions

97. Host sustainability workshops or talks at schools, offices, or online to spread awareness and action

98. Give low-waste gifts to celebrate occasions while reducing packaging and plastic waste

99. Teach kids about the environment to build a more conscious, climate-literate next generation

100. Vote with your wallet and your voice by supporting businesses and policies that align with your environmental values

Most importantly remember that living sustainably isn’t about guilt or perfection. You don’t need to do all 100 things to make a difference. You just need to start with one. And if you need help cutting the toxins and the plastic, Spruce has your back. Spruce is here to help you clean up my home and the planet. Simply ask for help or reach out. 

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