With increasing concern for the environment, more people are turning to eco-friendly lifestyles and exploring green living habits.
This comes as the World Wide Fund for Nature UK and 3Keel recently published a report discussing the UK’s production and consumption habits.
The report highlights a big challenge: the UK needs to cut down on how much we use up our planet’s resources by a huge 75% by 2030.
What’s interesting is that Google searches for things related to eco-friendly products shot up by 130% between 2017 and 2022. This means more and more people are starting to look into what they buy before they buy it. People are slowly realising that we all have a part to play in protecting our planet. It’s time to think about shopping things in a more eco-friendly way whenever we can.
To make things easier for you, we’ve put together a list of everyday home gadgets that can easily replace less eco-friendly options. These changes are good for the planet and help us stay within the limits we need to meet by 2030.
Disclaimer: The information listed is in no particular order and might be subject to change. We advise readers to conduct their own research before purchasing any items as these are mere suggestions.
1. Low Wattage Air Fryer
To begin, a great option for minimising your carbon footprint is a low-wattage air fryer. Air fryers typically cook food around 30% faster than a regular oven, making them an energy-efficient choice in the long term. They’re smaller and more suitable for everyday meals, unlike larger ovens that consume more energy even when preparing smaller dishes. Additionally, air fryers require less oil.
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Some users, like me, don’t even use any oil, which reduces the need to dispose of harmful cooking oils and chemicals, offering long-term benefits. We recommend you conduct your own research before buying an air fryer though we advise focusing on models with low wattage, such as the Lakeland Digital Compact Air Fryer that operates at only 1,200 watts, ideal for quick and energy-efficient cooking.
Eco Benefits: Reduces energy consumption and cooking time compared to conventional ovens, resulting in lower carbon emissions and cost savings.
2. Sodastream
For fizzy drink enthusiasts, Sodastream presents the ideal sustainable solution. Each reusable Sodastream bottle, used over four years, helps eliminate 1,282 single-use plastic bottles from our oceans, forests, and landfills. Crafting your own sparkling beverages at home with this system significantly reduces reliance on single-use plastics.
In 2022, our bubbles helped save an amazing 5 billion single use plastic bottles. This year we are on a mission to continue making a difference as we push for a better planet🌍 🐢 🌴 . Join us on our mission today at https://t.co/V9cZeGm6yf #SodaStream #EarthDay #PushforBetter pic.twitter.com/ZwAzPt74zB
— SodaStream UK (@SodaStreamUK) April 18, 2023
Eco Benefits: A sustainable (fizzy) alternative that helps reduce plastic waste!
3. Automatic Kitchen Food Composter
We also recommend getting an Automatic Food Composter. For many, the notion of food composting might seem laborious or difficult to grasp. However, with an Automatic Food Composter, the process becomes incredibly easy. It’s odourless, hassle-free, and effectively diverts food waste from ending up in landfills.
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Not only does it keep your kitchen free from decomposing food, but with just a button push, your food waste transforms into plant-friendly soil. While this gadget might be a slightly more expensive investment, it’s certainly worth the attention for its exceptional benefits.
Eco Benefits: Reduces food waste, converting it into compost for gardening.
4. Smart Thermostat
Smart Thermostats are like intelligent temperature managers for your home. They learn your preferences over time and adjust heating or cooling to save energy. Using your phone, you can control them remotely, which is handy when you’re away.
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Additionally, these devices remind you to change air filters, ensuring better indoor air quality and more efficient operation.
Eco Benefits: Learns and adjusts to save energy, enhancing indoor air quality by timely filter change reminders.
5. Smart Plugs
These are remote-controlled plugs for your appliances. Smart Plugs allow you to turn off devices from a distance, even if you’re not at home. They are particularly useful for things that stay plugged in continuously, such as smart home assistants.
Smart Plugs help in managing energy consumption by powering off devices not in use, reducing unnecessary electricity usage. If you own an Alexa, or anything similar, you may want to invest in this savvy gadget.
Eco Benefits: Enables remote control, effectively managing energy consumption by powering off devices not in use.
6. LED Smart Light Bulbs
LED bulbs are champions in saving energy. They use significantly less electricity than traditional bulbs, with 90% savings over the old-fashioned incandescent bulbs, as well as having a longer lifespan. They’re even about one-third more efficient than the CFL bulbs that are considered environmentally friendly.
For example, a 25-watt incandescent bulb is similar to a 6-watt CFL and a 4-watt LED bulb. Switching to LED bulbs helps save electricity and means you won’t have to change bulbs as often, which is also really good for the environment.
Eco Benefits: Lowers electricity usage and reduces the frequency of bulb changes, contributing to environmental conservation.
7. Eco-friendly Dishwasher
Despite the common belief, dishwashers actually use less water compared to hand washing. Eco-friendly dishwashers come with settings designed to optimise water and energy usage during the wash cycle, making them a greener choice for cleaning dishes while saving resources. Some newer dishwashers use only 3 gallons per load, while hand washing can use up to 27 gallons.
Wondered what the eco-setting on your dishwasher does? It uses less energy for heating water which means lower bills for you, and often also saves water! You can save more water by only running it when it’s full.
Find out more: https://t.co/G9oK7mXLOL#WatersWorthSaving #WWS23
— Water UK (@WaterUK) June 5, 2023
Eco Benefits: Uses less water and energy than hand washing, offering a greener way to clean dishes while conserving resources.
8. Water-Efficient Shower Head
These shower heads create a strong water flow while using less water than a mixer/power shower overall. They give you a great shower experience without using too much water. Regular showers usually use about 15 to 25 litres of water per minute.
But with a Water-Efficient Shower Head, you can cut that down to just 8 litres per minute or even less (without even sacrificing shower quality)!
Eco Benefits: Provides a strong shower experience while conserving water, ensuring a satisfying yet eco-friendly shower.
9. Eco Kettle
If you love your tea, Eco Kettles are a top pick. They use less energy than regular kettles and heat water faster, saving time and energy. These kettles can cut down energy usage by up to 20% with each boil.
This speeds up tea-making while also being mindful of our energy use – definitely a smart choice for us Brits who adore our tea!
Eco Benefits: Uses less energy and boils water faster, contributing to quicker tea preparation and reduced energy consumption.
10. Eco-friendly Bike Desk
Picture a desk that enables you to exercise while you work. These desks come with attached bike pedals, allowing you to stay active while sitting. As you pedal, you create kinetic energy, giving yourself a workout and generating power simultaneously. Despite potentially being on the pricier end, these desks offer a distinctive way to stay productive while staying active.
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For instance, an hour of steady cycling at 60 RPM on the bike desk can produce 75 watts of self-generated power. Although not yet available in the UK, these desks have been introduced in North America, and we thought it definitely worth including them in our list so you can keep an eye out for their impending arrival!
Eco Benefits: Allows for exercise while working, generating kinetic energy, and promoting an active lifestyle.
Closing Thoughts
In a world where we’re increasingly aware of our impact on the environment, making small but powerful changes in our daily routines is crucial. The eco-friendly home gadgets and utensils we’ve highlighted here offer a simple way for everyone to join the movement towards a greener future.
By choosing these sustainable alternatives, we can work together to cut down on plastic waste, save energy, and safeguard our planet’s precious resources. These switches not only help the environment but also save you money in the long run.
As individuals, we all can make a positive difference, and by embracing these choices, we’re one step closer to living in a way that’s kinder to the Earth.
If you have a tip for an eco-friendly home gadget to be added to our list, get in touch with us!
Author Profile
- Passionate Blogger and Digital Strategist | 2023 Media, Journalism and Publishing Graduate from Oxford Brookes University | Georgian-British | Establisher and Creative Director of ClickSocial Marketing | Contributor to various Daily, Political, and Breaking News articles
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