How does going green save you money when the green alternatives to most products are more expensive? There are loads of examples where buying the more eco-friendly option is more expensive and for those of us on a strict budget it’s something we have to consider.
It is possible to spend far less by going eco-friendly, but as with everything it does depend on how much effort you’re willing to make, in some cases how much you can afford initially and also if you’re willing to make any sacrifices. A wet wipe is incredibly convenient but it’s terrible for the environment. A disposable nappy is seen these days as a must have, but not that long ago they didn’t exist. (Want an eco-friendly baby?)
We’ve become so used to the convenience of some items that it will require a whole new way of thinking for some people to give some things up. But if you are willing to put the environment ahead of your convenience you can make some huge changes and some huge savings as well.
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Comparisons Between Things and Their Eco-Friendly Alternatives
Coffee
Buying a reusable coffee cup or water bottle is a more expensive option to begin with, and it’ll take time to see the savings. But you can save so much money over the long term especially if you find yourself buying takeaway coffees and bottles of water every day. This is where how much time and effort you’re willing to put in comes in.
First thing is to make sure you only visit coffee shops which offer a discount when you use your own coffee mug. Most do. (Reusable Coffee Cup Discounts)
You can save up to 50p a cup by taking your own reusable cup to be refilled. The average cost of a reusable coffee cup is about £10, so after 20 takeaway coffees you break even. Any coffee you buy after that means you start saving money. And that’s 20 disposable cups that haven’t been used.
Of course, the cheapest, and most eco-friendly, option is to just stop drinking coffee. The next cheapest option is to make coffee at home and take it with you to work.
The above is a prime example of how being more eco-friendly can save you money over time, and depending on how much effort you put in (making coffee at home for example) means you could save loads of cash.
Clothes
Most clothes these days contain plastic of some sort. The production of the clothes is bad for the environment, washing the clothes is bad (as plastic microfibres are released into the waste water), and most people just throw their unwanted clothes into the normal rubbish, meaning it ends up in landfill.
Eco-friendly materials like sustainable cotton, bamboo and hemp, tend to be a little bit more expensive, but if you’re serious about being more eco-friendly it’s an expense worth considering.
The more eco-friendly option to buying new clothes is to buy ‘pre-loved’ clothes. Or why not try and repurpose some of your clothes and make them into something you’re more likely to wear. Just repairing a rip in a shirt will save you having to buy a replacement.
Once you have no use for your clothes give them to a charity shop or swap them with friends. If the clothes are beyond repair there are lots of place that will collect old textiles. Or why not use them as rags for cleaning around the house or your car?
Cars
Electric cars are the most eco-friendly car available. But as with most eco-friendly alternatives they’re more expensive to buy initially. They also aren’t necessarily suitable for people who make lots of long journeys. However if you tend to travel shorter journeys, after 4 years it’s cheaper to own and run an electric car. Not only are they cheaper to run but parking tends to be cheaper.
Of course if you’re willing to walk or cycle for shorter journeys, or use public transport then this is even more eco-friendly and of course cheaper.
Cleaning Products
There are now lots of eco-friendly cleaning products available. Washing powders, multi-purpose sprays, even furniture polish. But you’d be hard pushed to find an eco-friendly version that is cheaper than it’s not so eco-friendly counterpart. They both probably have plastic bottles anyway, so if you’re willing to put a bit of time and effort into being even more eco-friendly then you will save money by making home-made cleaning solutions, like this homemade washing powder or this washing up liquid. The prices below are from Sainsbury’s website 09/06/19.
Solar Panels
Until the UK Government decided to make getting solar panels a financially unviable option, getting them installed was a no-brainer and you would have seen great savings (after the initial installation costs). Unfortunately until we have a Government that cares about the environment more than they care about energy company profits, getting solar panels is no longer cost-efficient. If you have the money and wish to be more eco-friendly then it is still something you should do. – Read Solar panels – are they worth it? for more information.
Food
Anyone who buys organic fruit and vegetables knows it’s the more expensive option. Sadly some supermarkets also wrap the organic options in single use plastic to differentiate them from their cheap loose fruit and vegetables. So although the organic option is probably better you end up buying plastic. Which is the more eco-friendly option? I’m not sure to be honest and you’d have to go with your personal preference, no pesticides or no plastic.
However if you’re able to buy loose organic fruit and vegetables that’s the most eco-friendly option but normally the more expensive one. So how can you save money? The thing to do here is to find places where you can buy other items loose. Take refillable containers for pasta, rice, nuts, dried fruit, cleaning products… Waitrose have just started a packaging free trial in one of their supermarkets to sell many items this way and it’s normally much cheaper to do it like this (possibly not in Waitrose though, find a local whole foods shop!). It’s just a little bit less convenient.
Conclusion
Going green is expensive, but only if you carry on buying the same amount of stuff as before, just the eco-friendly alternative. If you buy less and if you have the time to make some things yourself you can save loads of money. It can be better for your health, for the planet and your wallet all at the same time.
Overall when you balance all the options above out, being more eco-friendly is cheaper. Your food might be slightly more expensive, but if you’re buying fewer cleaning products, and buying fewer clothes or getting them from second hand shops or repurposing them, then you should end up saving money.
It comes down to how convenient your want your life to be compared to how much you’re willing to spend. I suppose you can call it conscience over convenience.
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