As a person who cares about the environment, you may be doing your best to raise your children to be eco-friendly as well. They say that change starts with parents, as children tend to model what their parents do. If this is the case, what can you as a parent do to create a more sustainable household?

If you need some help to get you on the right path to environmentally friendly habits, check out these five tips on how you can be a sustainable parent.

What kind of diapers are you using?

Any parent knows: diapers are numerous in the first couple years of your child’s life. This means that when it comes to producing waste, your baby’s diapers are making a mark. How does a parent practice sustainable habits when you have to use diapers for your little one? Fortunately, there are a couple of options out there. For example, a diaper subscription can help you get your hands on some biodegradable diapers. You can also use cloth diapers as well.

Where do you get your food from?

How do you buy your food, and where do you get it from? These are important questions to think about since many of your habits may not be all that sustainable. When it comes to shopping for your food, there are quite a number of alternatives. For instance, walking to the grocery store if it’s nearby or planting a garden to grow your own fruits and veggies. Another option is to shop at stores where you buy items without packaging.

Use hand-me-downs

The constant urge to buy new clothes or items can have a negative impact on the environment. You may be surprised at how many parents have perfectly good outfits that their kids have simply outgrown, but that could still be used. If you have family members with older children, you could ask around to see if they have anything that your little ones could use or if you have older kids yourself, save their clothing that is in good condition for your future little ones. You’ll be saving money and helping the environment.

Slow down on buying new toys

Your little one may be asking for new toys and you may give in. However, you may find that they don’t even play with the toy they begged you for. To avoid the waste of money and plastic, don’t overbuy new toys. If you want to give your little ones new things to play with, you could ask for second-hand toys. At the end of the day, so many toys and things go to waste due to unnecessary purchases and impulse shopping. Plus, this is a great opportunity to teach your little one the importance of only buying what you need for a more sustainable environment.

Buy products in bulk

Whether it’s milk you’re buying or toilet paper for your household, buying in bulk means you’ll be minimizing the packaging that comes from buying items separately. However, this may not work for perishable items that need to be consumed quickly, such as milk. To cut down packaging on dairy products, consider buying large bags of powdered milk. This form of milk is meant to last a long time, saving you frequent trips to the grocery store.

Final Thoughts

Living in an environmentally friendly way may take some work. As you notice your habits beginning to change, you’ll be glad of how much you’ve accomplished for a more sustainable world for your children. From diapers to food, there are many ways to be a more eco-conscious parent.

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