If you’ve been feeling like taking your home, garden, and even your personal habits to the next “earth-friendly” level, we have some easy ideas to help you on your way to becoming a little more green.
We promise this isn’t one of those “throw away everything you own and live off the grid” conversations. Just a few simple ideas that can make a difference.
Home Maintenance Ideas
- Seal Air Leaks Around Windows and Doors. Check around your home and seal any air leaks with caulking and weatherstripping. This will help to lower your utility bills when reinsulating your home is not really an option.
- Replace Flush Mount Lighting With Ceiling Fans. Fans are an easy way to lower your energy bills because you will probably end up using less of your air conditioning just by getting the air moving.
- Consider Replacing Old Toilets and Appliances. Newer toilets use much less water, and updated appliances are typically more energy-efficient, which will save you more money each month.
- Have an older microwave above your stove? It may be worth upgrading. Many older models don’t do a great job of venting smoke and cooking odors, leaving you to open windows to clear the air. That means your heating or air conditioning has to work harder to keep your home comfortable.
- Choose Sustainable Materials. When renovating, look for reclaimed wood, recycled materials, and sustainably sourced products.
- Install Solar Panels. If your budget allows, solar energy can reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower long-term energy costs.
- Use a Programmable Thermostat. A programmable thermostat can automatically adjust temperatures when you’re away or asleep, helping reduce energy use and lower utility bills.
- Replace Old Light Bulbs with LEDs. LED bulbs use less energy and last much longer than traditional bulbs, helping reduce both electricity costs and waste.
- Fix Leaky Faucets. Even small leaks can waste a surprising amount of water over time. Fixing them saves water and can lower utility bills.
- Wash Clothes in Cold Water. Most clothes get just as clean in cold water, and you’ll use less energy by not heating water for every load.
- Unplug Unused Electronics. Many electronics use energy even when turned off. Unplugging them or using a smart power strip can reduce wasted electricity.
Garden Upgrades and Tips
Boost your green thumb, lower your monthly yard upkeep costs, and even help your home stay cooler in the summer with these tips:
- Consider turning part of your lawn into a native plant garden. Native plants usually need less mowing, watering, and maintenance, which can help reduce costs while supporting local pollinators and wildlife. Plus, they can look absolutely beautiful when thoughtfully designed.
- Plant Shade Trees on the south side of your home to keep your home cooler in the summer.
- When shopping for plants, keep an eye out for varieties that are both perennial and drought-tolerant. They generally require less water and upkeep, and they’ll come back year after year, saving you the cost and effort of replanting annuals every spring.
- Add a layer of cedar or untreated wood mulch to your garden beds to help the soil hold moisture longer. This can reduce how often you need to water, keep weeds in check, and help prevent overly soggy soil that can attract mosquitoes and other pests.
- Collect rainwater. Rain barrels are a great way to water your landscape while reducing stormwater runoff. Just be sure to choose a quality, food-grade barrel if you plan to use the water on fruits, vegetables, or herbs. It’s also worth checking what type of roof the water is running off of, as some roofing materials may not be ideal for edible gardens.Â
- If you have a little extra room in your garden, think about starting a compost pile or compost tumbler. Composting food scraps and yard waste helps reduce landfill waste while creating nutrient-rich material for your garden. Avoid adding meat, salty food scraps, dairy, oils, or pet waste, and cover fresh food scraps with leaves, grass clippings, or other yard waste. Once your compost has broken down into a dark, crumbly material, use a small handful in the bottom of a planting hole before adding a new plant, then backfill with soil. It’s an easy way to give your plants a healthy start while improving your soil naturally.
- Consider skipping the routine mosquito spraying. While it may help control mosquitoes, it can also impact beneficial insects like fireflies, butterflies, and pollinators. Instead, focus on preventing mosquitoes where they breed. Mosquito dunks can be placed in ponds, rain barrels, birdbaths, or small containers of standing water to target mosquito larvae before they become biting adults. It’s a more targeted solution that can help protect the insects we actually want in our yards.
- Create a Rain Garden. If you have an area of your yard that collects water during heavy rains, consider turning it into a rain garden. By creating a shallow depression and using rocks or a dry creek bed to direct runoff into it, you can help slow down stormwater and give it time to soak into the ground. Plant the area with species that naturally thrive in wet conditions, and you’ll create a beautiful landscape feature that helps reduce erosion, filter pollutants from runoff, support pollinators and wildlife, recharge groundwater, and reduce the amount of water flowing into storm drains and local waterways.
Revamp Your Personal Habits
If some of these ideas feel overwhelming, don’t worry. We all have busy lives, and none of us are doing everything on this list. The good news is that even small changes can have a meaningful impact over time. Pick one or two ideas that work for you, set a reminder if needed, and give yourself grace as new habits form. Every little bit helps.
- Shop Local When Possible. Before clicking “Add to Cart” on Amazon, consider whether you can find what you need right here in Chattanooga. Our city is filled with incredible locally owned shops like Sophie’s Shoppe, Locals Only, Sower, Good Kinsmen, Plum Nelly, Almanac Supply Co., Refindery, I Go Tokyo, Edith’s Emporium, and The Book and Cover. From gifts and home décor to kitchen accessories, vintage finds, handmade goods, and locally crafted products, these businesses offer something you simply can’t get from a warehouse.
More importantly, these shops are part of the heart and soul of our city. Behind every storefront is someone who took a chance on a dream of owning their own business. Choosing to shop local helps support those dreams, strengthens our community, keeps dollars circulating locally, and creates the unique character that makes Chattanooga such a special place to call home.
- Bring Reusable Grocery Bags. Keep a few reusable totes in your car so you’re less likely to need plastic bags at checkout.
- Switch to Reusable Food Wraps. Replace some plastic wrap with reusable beeswax wraps, glass containers, or silicone storage bags. Get wax paper sandwich bags from the store instead of plastic bags. Check out Bees Wrap here.
- Recycle More Than Just the Basics. Take advantage of local recycling programs, including Chattanooga’s Orange Bag Recycling Program, which accepts many items that can’t go in curbside recycling bins.
- Choose Earth-Friendly Soaps and Cleaners. Look for biodegradable dish soaps, hand soaps, laundry detergents, and household cleaners that are gentler on waterways and aquatic life.
- Use a Reusable Water Bottle and Coffee Cup. One of the easiest swaps you can make. A reusable bottle or travel mug can prevent hundreds of disposable containers from ending up in landfills each year.
- Reduce Food Waste. Plan meals, freeze leftovers, share fresh produce with neighbors, compost food scraps, and use produce before it spoils. Wasted food is one of the largest contributors to landfill waste.
- Buy Secondhand Before Purchasing New. Check local or online thrift stores, consignment shops, estate sales, and Facebook Marketplace before buying new. You’ll save money, reduce waste, and keep usable items out of landfills.
- Walk or Bike for Short Trips. For nearby errands, consider walking or biking instead of driving. You’ll reduce emissions, save fuel, and get a little extra exercise.
- Borrow, Rent, or Share Tools. Before buying a specialty tool, consider borrowing, renting, or sharing. You’ll save money, reduce clutter, and avoid owning something you’ll rarely use.
- Repair Items Before Replacing Them. Before throwing something away, see if it can be repaired. Extending the life of everyday items reduces waste and often saves money.
Small Changes Add Up
You don’t have to tackle everything at once. Even simple improvements like changing light bulbs, sealing drafts, planting native species, or reducing water use can make a meaningful difference for both the environment and your monthly bills.
Neighborhoods Around Chattanooga
If you’re curious to explore more of Chattanooga, visit our neighborhood guide for local insight into communities, lifestyle perks, and what makes each unique.
