Practical Ways to Reduce Energy Use and Household Waste

Small everyday choices can change how much energy, water or material we use.

Small changes can reduce specific resource use or waste. The examples below focus on electricity, water, transport, packaging and food waste.

This guide explores practical actions related to energy use, water use, transport, packaging and household waste.

Man and a woman sitting on a couch in a living room with a cat in between them.

The Ripple Effect of Small Actions

Every small action we take in our daily lives—like choosing a reusable water bottle over a disposable one—sets off a ripple effect, much like a pebble dropped into a pond. 

These ripples represent our environmental footprint, touching on aspects of waste, energy, and consumption. Just as the ripples spread wider and wider, the choices we make can inspire broader changes in our communities and beyond. 

The examples below focus on specific ways to reduce energy use, water use and waste in everyday routines.

Transforming Habits into Long-Lasting Practices

Long-lasting habits can help reduce specific resource use or waste. The examples below focus on electricity, water, transport, packaging and food waste.

This approach focuses on sustainability in terms of resource use, waste reduction, and personal accountability. 

Here's how a typical day can include such thoughtful decisions:

Morning Routine

  • Wake Up to Natural Light: Instead of relying on alarm clocks, use natural light to wake up gently, reducing electricity use.
  • Sustainable Personal Care: Brush teeth with a bamboo toothbrush and use bar soap and shampoo to minimize plastic waste.
  • Conscious Breakfast: Prepare a meal using locally sourced, organic ingredients. Store leftovers in reusable containers instead of single-use plastics.

Commute to Work or School

  • Public Transportation: Opt for buses, trains, or carpooling to reduce carbon emissions. It's a great way to cut down on fuel costs and traffic congestion.
  • Cycling or Walking: For shorter distances, walking or biking not only reduces your environmental footprint but also improves your health.
  • Reusable Coffee Cups: Bring your coffee in a reusable cup if you purchase it on the way. Many cafes offer discounts for bringing your own cup.

At Work or School

  • Digital Documents: Reduce paper use by keeping documents digital whenever possible. If printing is necessary, use both sides of the paper.
  • Bring Your Lunch: Pack your lunch in reusable containers, along with cloth napkins and a stainless-steel water bottle or thermos.
  • Conscious Consumption: Compare sourcing, packaging, durability and recognised certifications when choosing businesses or products.

Evening Activities

  • Energy-Efficient Lighting: When choosing LED bulbs, compare their energy label, wattage, light output and rated lifetime for the space where they will be used.
  • Mindful Entertainment: Turn electronic devices off when they are not being used. Reading, board games and other activities can also be part of an evening without switching on a screen.
  • Resource-Wise Dinner: Consider seasonal ingredients when they suit your menu, and explore vegetarian or vegan recipes if they appeal to you.

Nighttime Routine

  • Minimize Water Use: Take shorter showers and turn off the tap while shaving or brushing your teeth.
  • Skincare: Compare packaging options when choosing skincare products, and follow the product's instructions for use and disposal.
  • Prepare for Tomorrow: Set up your reusable items for the next day—pack your lunch, check your bike, or organize your public transit fare to make sustainable choices easy.

Transforming Your Home into a Conscious Haven

You can make household choices that reduce specific energy use, water use or waste. Here are examples for different rooms.

Kitchen: The Heart of a More Sustainable Lifestyle

The kitchen offers abundant opportunities to embrace sustainability, from reducing food waste to choosing energy-efficient cooking methods.

  • Reduce Food Waste: Planning meals and properly storing food helps keep your groceries fresher longer and can save money on your food bills.
  • Reusable Products: For some everyday tasks, consider items designed for repeated use instead of single-use products. Follow the product instructions for use, cleaning and disposal.
  • Conscious Water Use: Installing low-flow aerators and fixing leaks promptly can significantly reduce your water bill.
  • Responsible Eating: Choosing local and in-season produce often means fresher, more flavorful food, while cutting down on meat consumption can also reduce grocery costs.

Living Room: A Space for Lower-Impact Comfort

Use LED lighting to reduce electricity use compared with incandescent bulbs, and consider second-hand furniture to keep existing products in use for longer.

  • Energy Efficiency: LED lighting uses less power and lasts longer than traditional bulbs, offering savings on electricity and replacement costs.
  • Furniture Choices: Second-hand furniture may suit your space and keep an existing item in use. When buying new furniture, compare durability, materials and care information.
  • Minimize Heating and Cooling: Using draft stoppers and dressing appropriately for the weather can help maintain comfortable temperatures without overusing HVAC systems.
  • Indoor Plants: They can enhance room aesthetics and improve air quality, contributing to a more pleasant living environment.
  • Decor Choices: Select decorative items according to their design, durability, material information and care requirements.

Bathroom: Conserving Water and Embracing Sustainability

Low-flow fixtures and shorter showers can reduce water use. Choose cleaning products based on suitability and safety instructions.

  • Water-Saving Fixtures: Low-flow showerheads and toilets can reduce your water usage, potentially lowering your utility bills.
  • Packaging Choices: Compare the packaging used for household products and follow the disposal instructions for the materials.
  • Reduce Water Usage: Shorter showers and turning off the tap while brushing can conserve water, contributing to lower water bills.
  • Reusable Personal Care: Compare the durability, cleaning instructions and replacement parts for reusable razors and other personal-care products.
  • Natural Cleaning Products: Homemade or natural cleaners can be less expensive and reduce the need for multiple specialized cleaners, simplifying your shopping list.

Bedroom: Comfort, Durability and Energy Use

Choose bedding and bedroom products based on comfort, durability, care requirements and material information.

  • Natural Bedding: Organic and natural fiber bedding can improve sleep comfort by being more breathable, in addition to often being more durable.
  • Clothing Choices: Compare garments based on fit, material, quality, care instructions and the durability information available for each item.
  • Energy-Efficient Windows: Using thermal curtains can help keep your bedroom at a comfortable temperature, potentially reducing the need for additional heating or cooling.

Home Office: Working with Nature in Mind

Turn equipment off when not in use to reduce electricity consumption. A paperless workflow can reduce paper use.

  • Digital Efficiency: A paperless office reduces the need for physical storage space and can streamline your work process.
  • Energy-Saving Electronics: Managing power usage with smart strips and turning off equipment when not in use can cut electricity costs.
  • Office Supplies: When choosing office materials, compare durability, packaging, refill options and product information.
  • Electricity Tariffs: Where different energy tariffs are available, compare their prices and conditions along with any information supplied about electricity generation.
  • Furniture Choices: Compare desks and chairs for ergonomic suitability, durability, dimensions, materials and care instructions.

Reducing Energy Use, Water Use and Waste

Reducing electricity, fuel or material use can lower associated environmental impacts; the extent depends on the activity and conditions.

Some AEG 6000 ProSense® washing machines include load-sensing functions that adjust certain programme settings according to the amount of laundry. Available settings and consumption data depend on the model and selected programme.

By making informed choices, you can focus on practical ways to reduce energy use, water use or waste in everyday life.