Save Money, Live Sustainably: Practical Tips for an Eco-Conscious Lifestyle

In today’s world it feels like there are a million ways to be more ethical in our purchases, which feels like a million different ways we could get it wrong. With so many options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure if you’re truly making a difference. If I’m going to put my time, effort, and money into a product I want to know that it’s worthwhile. But with shouts of sustainability from all sides, where do we start?

What is Sustainability?

First, it’s important to understand what sustainability is actually all about. While it can feel like a lot of eco- enviro- green- buzzwords, it ultimately comes down to three main pillars of sustainability; economic, social, and ecological. Sustainability can mean different things to different companies and individuals, which can make it even harder to identify products and businesses that align with our own views. For example, you may find a company who uses exclusively renewable materials in their products, but they’re funded by a larger conglomerate who contribute to high fossil fuel use and pollution.

The UN Brundtland report from 1987 defines sustainability as ‘meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’. This definition is important because it recognises that as individuals we shouldn’t have to give up our own needs to maintain an environmentally friendly approach, but it does force us to consider the longer-term impacts of our actions.

What Makes a Product Sustainable?

With all that in mind, what actually makes a product sustainable? Well generally, a sustainable product will be made from renewable resources and won’t directly harm the environment. The business making the product should be socially sustainable, meaning they don’t partake in irresponsible or immoral practices such as poor working conditions or child labour. For a business to practice economic sustainability can be a little harder, but it generally means the business operates in a way that allows for consistent growth without negatively impacting competitors.

Why Are Sustainable Products More Expensive?

Sustainable products can often have higher upfront costs which can be off-putting or even a barrier in making more sustainable purchases. There are different reasons for these higher costs which we’ll explore below.         

Demand

Widespread sustainability in business is a relatively new concept, which means it’s often newer, smaller companies making the push. Faced with the choice of a known company with years of experience and marketing versus an unknown smaller business, it can feel reassuring for consumers to stick with what they know.

Material and Manufacturing Costs

Often the raw materials used in sustainable products can be more expensive, either because they’re less readily available, they’re produced in smaller quantities, or they’re of a higher quality. Obtaining these materials and creating the products themselves can also require more complex infrastructure and manufacturing, for example processing plastic for recycling to turn into a new product requires much more time and energy than making new plastic products.

Additionally, using manufacturers who don’t take advantage of their workers and pay fair wages adds to the cost of sustainable products. Better labour standards come at a higher production cost, and this is often reflected in the price of the end product.

            Certifications 

Obtaining certifications like the B Corp label, the Leaping Bunny, Vegan or Vegetarian Society labels often involves a time commitment in order to pass the rigorous testing, along with a financial cost to the company.

Ultimately, unsustainable competitors aren’t focused on maintaining high standards in this area. This means they can cut corners and costs to reduce the price of the end product. When sustainability isn’t a priority, or even a consideration, other businesses can unscrupulously work to reduce their costs as much as possible without respect for the negative impacts. But hey, at least the CEO can take another holiday!

How to Identify Truly Sustainable Products

It can be tricky to navigate the world of sustainability, especially when it’s become such a buzzword in manufacturing and sales in recent years. Companies know that we as consumers want to be more sustainable, so they try to appeal to this in their marketing and messaging. While there are a lot of businesses out there doing great things for sustainability in the industry, there are a lot of others who are practicing greenwashing. This is when companies make misleading claims about the environmental, or green, impacts that a product or service has. This can range from intentional vagueness and irrelevant claims up to completely separating harmful business practices from their ‘sustainable product’. The UN has a great article on greenwashing here.

Planned obsolescence is another thing to look out for when considering sustainability, as ideally you’ll make a purchase once and it’ll last a long time! Planned obsolescence is when a product is made with an intentionally short life-span. This can be because of poor manufacturing which causes the product to break, inability to repair product, or no longer supporting the product. The difference between a poorly made product and planned obsolescence however is just that; planned. It’s an intentional move to reduce the lifespan of a product which forces consumers to have to replace or upgrade sooner than you may expect or hope to, and is built into the product from its conception. This is a completely unsustainable practice in all senses; it is economically worse for the consumer, it applies social pressures for us to keep ‘up to date’ with the latest trends, and it produces excess waste.

How to Make Sustainable Swaps on a Budget

So, what can we do about it? If sustainability is too expensive it becomes inaccessible and having to do so much research prior to purchase can be off-putting for many consumers. To help make the switch a little easier, we’ve put together a list of sustainable swaps that you can make on a budget.

1.     Switch out your usual aerosol deodorant for a refillable bar from Wild. Plastic free and natural, this deodorant will last up to 6 weeks! They also have a range of body care and wash items. Check them out!

2.     Say good-bye to kitchen roll and next time you need a refill stock up on some reusable cotton cloths, or even make your own from an old bed sheet or towel (clean of course!). If you’re feeling a little fancier, you can always get cloth napkins to lay out on the table. At £3 each, these cotton napkins from John Lewis are a great way to elevate your dining experience while reducing your waste: a win-win!

3.     Ditch the plastic water bottles; this one’s old news for a lot of us, but the convenience of a single-use plastic water bottle when you’re grabbing a meal deal can still get to us all. Instead, start carrying round a reusable water bottle. If space is an issue you can even get collapsible bottles; Travel and Leisure have a round-up of their favourites here!

4.     Shop second hand for anything from clothes to kitchenware. With approximately 350,000 tonnes of clothing waste being sent to landfill each year, the demand to keep up with trends is putting a strain on our wallets and our planets. Instead, think of going to your local charity shop or hopping on Vinted before you start trawling the fast fashion websites. You can find some gems and save a few pennies while you’re at it!

Sustainable Luxury

While they can come with a higher price tag, purchasing sustainably can often mean you’re investing in businesses who are trying to make a difference. Looking for items crafted with eco-consciousness in mind and supporting the businesses behind them is a small step towards shifting the market. If you’re feeling a little more premium, check out our list of luxury sustainable products below that prove green is worth the splurge. All of these make excellent gifts for any occasion!

1.     Whether you’re buying for yourself or want to give a comfortable gift, blankets can be a great sustainable option. From a recycled wool blanket made from natural fibres to a fuzzy throw made from recycled plastic bottles, both are perfect for cosying up during colder months.

2.     If your creativity shines in the kitchen, you might want to invest in an All Day Goods kitchen knife. They have a range of styles, from an all-rounder, the Santoku, to a smaller paring knife, the Petty, these forged blades will have you whipping up a storm. And with their recycled plastic handles made from bottle tops to fishing nets, each one is unique.

3.     For the literary lover, why not consider an Elvis & Kresse Notebook? Bound in a decommissioned fire hose and made from recycled paper, this notebook can be refilled with replacement pads meaning you’ve got a lifetime product. With a personalisation option, this notebook oozes luxury.

4.     Sick of your boring old bamboo toothbrush, or after a deeper clean? Check out the Suri toothbrush. With heads made from corn starch and castor oils (which you can return for free for recycling) and a body made from easily recycled aluminium, the Suri electric toothbrush was designed with dentists to give you an eco-toothbrush that doesn’t compromise your dental health.

5.     Of course, we can’t forget about ourselves! Whether you want to freshen your space or improve your sleep, our Briiv air purifier is made from 90% natural materials. With bio-degradable filters and a commitment to circular production, Briiv is the most sustainable at home air purifier.

Conclusion

Sustainable shopping can be more expensive upfront, but for longer lifetime use and a reduced environmental impact it’s definitely worth considering if there are eco-alternatives next time you need to make a purchase. By making small, conscious choices—whether through budget-friendly swaps or premium eco-investments—you’re contributing to a greener future.

Navigating sustainability in the modern world can feel like a tangled web, but ultimately the choices we make as consumers can help shift the tide towards better things and show companies what we really want. As demand for sustainable options grows, businesses will adapt, making sustainability more accessible and affordable for all. Start small, think long-term, and together we can make a positive change.