Sustainability Pays: How Going Green Can Actually Save You Money

Happy Earth Day! It’s no secret that sustainable living is a passion of mine, but did you know that going green could actually save you money and the planet?

You don’t have to go big to make an impact. Buying electric vehicles and solar panels is great, but these investments can be very expensive and have long break-even periods.

While it’s true that sustainable products are often marketed to the wealthy, there are hundreds of cheap or free ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Additionally, while some green products might cost a little more up front, many actually save you money over the long run.

In honor of Earth Day on April 22nd, here are some of my favorite ways to go green and save some green.

Take care of (and use) what you already have

This is probably the simplest way to reduce your carbon footprint and save money.

Unfortunately, our culture encourages consumerism. Everything is easily replaceable or disposable. It’s become normal to buy the latest and greatest technology, regardless of whether the products we already own still work. Additionally, when something breaks, we are more likely to replace it than to try and repair it.

People argue that “they don’t make things like they used to” and they are usually correct. Many companies rely on planned obsolescence to increase sales. However, it’s terrible for the planet and forces you to spend more of your hard earned money.

If your budget allows, try to purchase higher quality items which are made to last longer. They may cost more up front, but your cost per use is likely to be the same or lower.

Additionally, we can improve the longevity of the things we already own and reduce waste by properly maintaining and/or repairing them.

Green up your cleaning products

Green cleaning will save you money vs. buying expensive products. In addition to being better for the planet, you’ll also reduce the number of harmful chemicals entering your home… many of which have been shown to be endocrine disrupters or carcinogenic.

While cleaners marketed as “green” tend to cost more than their conventional counterparts, you can find easy recipes for DIY natural cleaners online. Many of these concoctions are affordable and actually work! We’ve been trying many DIY cleaning products over the past year and been pleasantly surprised.

For example, did you know that you can remove soap scum from shower glass with just a lemon and baking soda? It’s way cheaper and works as well as the brand name cleaner we used to buy for this specific purpose. Plus, we no longer feel like we’re going to pass out from the toxic fumes. It also reduces the amount of plastic going to our landfills.

It’s amazing how many cleaning products you can create with some combination of water, vinegar, baking soda, liquid castile soap and essential oils (affiliate links).

Let nature dictate your landscaping

Native landscaping requires less water and effort to maintain. If growing grass where you live requires tons of watering and chemicals, consider if there is a better alternative.

In temperate climates, replacing your grass lawn with clover or ground cover is a less burdensome and greener option.

If you live in the desert, like we do, please don’t try to grow grass. I love the look and smell of real grass just as much as the next guy. But growing grass in the desert contributes to our already critical water shortages, is very expensive, and rarely works (hello, patchy grass).

Sticking with a natural landscape is more economical and less water intensive. Or, if you’re a former East coaster, like I am, you can opt for low maintenance artificial turf to fulfil your need for green.

Eat less meat (and fewer foods made in a factory)

Meat is expensive, and the feedlots where most of our meat is raised are bad for the environment.

One way you can do your part is by reducing meat consumption and eating more whole food, plant-based meals. Eating this way is significantly cheaper than buying lots of animal products or heavily processed meat-replacements.

Processed or prepared versions of foods are also generally more expensive than the their components, so eating whole foods can keep your grocery bills down. Anything made or substantially altered in a factory is going to cost more money, and will generally be worse for your body and the planet.

If you choose to eat meat, as we do, consider buying from local farmers or businesses that support regenerative farming and other sustainable practices. Higher quality animal products will cost more upfront, but I believe it’s better for all stakeholders. You can offset the higher cost by modestly reducing your consumption. We buy our meat, poultry and fish from ButcherBox (my review).

Reduce food waste

Staying on this topic for a moment, reducing food waste is another simple way to go green and save money (potentially a lot of money).

According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Americans waste billions of dollars each year on food, which takes up more space in our landfills than anything else.  

The average American family of four throws out $1,600 a year in produce. That is A LOT of food, and a big portion of most families’ food budgets. It also wastes the water and energy it took to produce the food and generates greenhouse gases, which contribute to global warming. 

You can reduce food waste and save money by thoughtfully planning your meals, eating leftovers, and freezing or preserving the things you won’t immediately use before they go bad.

Another way to reduce food waste, and something that we’ve recently begun doing, is composting. This can be done for free, although we opted to purchase a composter. Composting helps to reduce waste, turning food scraps into healthy nutrients and free dirt for your home garden.

Dress for the weather and turn on a fan

Put some clothes on… or take them off. Wearing weather appropriate clothes will help you reduce the use of your HVAC system. You’ll be more comfortable at a setting that uses less energy (good for your wallet and the environment). You can also open windows or use fans when needed to keep comfortable for a lower cost.

Actually, most of the ideas in my post on how to save money on your cooling bills apply here.

Ditch your car and walk more

Have you heard? Health is wealth! Walking is one of the best activities for overall health, and walking more could potentially save you an obscene amount of money on future medical costs.

Ditching the car and walking to your errands or school, when you can, will help you get those steps in.

Not only is walking better for your health, it’s good for the planet. You’ll save money on gas and reduce your carbon footprint, while lowering the amount of air pollution you produce.

If your destination is too far to walk, consider if carpooling or public transportation is an option.

Consider buying (and selling) secondhand

Buying less stuff to begin with is a great way to save money and be green. But when it’s time to make a purchase or replace something, why not buy a quality item secondhand? You’ll be giving a new life to something that was destined for a landfill and save money.

When it comes to clothing, fast fashion might seem cheap upfront. However, the trendy, poorly made items are only meant to last one season, which ultimately produces a lot of waste. High quality clothes and furniture will last longer.

Additionally, consider selling or donating your gently used items, rather than throwing them away.

Skip your daily shower

I don’t shower every day. Did I just gross you out? Unless you got super sweaty or were exposed to chemicals, you probably don’t need to bathe every day either.

Showering less often saves water and money (lower hot water bills). It also reduces the amount of chemicals touching your body and being washed down the drain.

If you must shower every day, consider shortening your shower and/or limiting it to a rinse on some days.

People with long hair can save energy (and time) by occasionally skipping the hair dryer and hot tools.

Switch to reusable items where you can

Disposable items require energy and raw materials to produce. They’re used once and then tossed. Sometimes it’s necessary, but oftentimes there is a reusable alternative that is just as good, if not better.

Take a look at the disposable items you use most often and consider whether you could replace them with a reusable option. Although the upfront cost might be a little more, the difference usually pays off pretty quickly.

We’ve been working on this over the past couple of years, and have made the following changes in our home:

• Replaced paper napkins with cloth napkins (for all but the messiest meals).
• Limit paper towel usage. We use basic white cloth napkins to clean up spills and wipe down the counters, except for the messiest spills or when there’s raw meat/fish involved. I actually moved our paper towels under the sink so we aren’t tempted to mindlessly grab one.
• Reduced the amount of bottled water we drink (plastic is bad for your health, anyways). Instead we purchased a high quality water filter and use reusable water bottles or cups.
• Bring reusable bags to the grocery store (when we remember and it’s not a pandemic). We reuse and recycle any plastic bags we do end up with.
• Store leftovers in glass containers to minimize the use of disposable bags or wrap (beeswax wraps are next on my list to try).
• Use microfiber cloths and reusable glass spray bottles for DIY natural cleaning. (Note: Links above are Amazon affiliate links)

Other small ways to go green and save money

There are literally hundreds of simple ways to go green that can also save you money. There are even more which might not save you money, but are free or cheap ways to make an impact.

A simple one? Print less. Yep, read your magazine, newspaper, or that work memo on the computer rather than printing it out to help combat deforestation. Use your library instead of buying new books that you’ll only read once. All money savers.

No one individual can solve our climate change crisis. It’s an unfortunate truth. However, if we all take steps in the right direction, we can make a difference and encourage others to follow.

What are your tips for going green and saving money?

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