How to be Eco-Friendly when you have Children

When I had my first child, little Clem, it changed my world. Not just in the ways you’d expect - nappy changes, sleepless nights and the like - but in the way I viewed the planet itself. Before then I hadn’t given much thought to caring for and protecting our home, but when there was a little one with a future beyond my own, suddenly it all became much more important.

And yet, bringing a child into the world can be one of the most impactful actions we can take for the planet. The average child brings with them approximately 58 tonnes of carbon emissions! Having fewer children may not be an option, but there are so many ways to reduce your carbon footprint as a family, and create a brighter future for your little ones.

1. Try cloth nappies

While you may already be turning down single-use plastic bottles, there are many other areas in your daily life where you can reduce this kind of waste. When it comes to babies, you can begin using reusable wipes and cloth nappies. Cloth nappies are much more sustainable than traditional nappies and can be washed and reused multiple times.

2. Buy clothing sustainably

As any parent can attest, children grow incredibly quickly! Buying new sets of clothes every few months can be costly and leads to a lot of consumption, often from fast fashion brands. Instead, buying secondhand or choosing ethical and sustainable children's clothing brands can make a huge difference.

3. AVOID SYNTHETIC FABRICS

There is a place for putting your kids in synthetic fabrics (like a raincoat, for example!) but where it’s not necessary, try to look for natural, biodegradable options. Plastic fabrics come in many different guises - it can be known as polyester, polyurethane, PET, acrylic, nylon, lycra … to name just a few.

Instead, go for organic (GOTS certified) cotton, hemp or linen. If you’re not vegan, wool and silk might also be options.

Where plastic is the best choice, try to go for recycled options. Brands like Patagonia, H&M, and some of the childrens’ brands in this post are known for using recycled materials.

4. Choose eco-friendly toys

Before I had kids I imagined I’d be the sort of parent with minimal amounts of toys. The reality is that little ones need, and love, to play! Over the years we’ve tried to buy secondhand or buy new from companies that specialise in eco-friendly toys, like Wunderplay. The benefits of sustainably-made toys even go beyond their environmental credentials - they’re often non-toxic, plastic-free and designed to support natural play.

5. Make your own snacks

One of the biggest sources of plastic waste is food packaging, and this can be particularly true for children, where individually wrapped packages are very commonplace. Instead of buying packaged, consider making your own from scratch. There are plenty of easy, quick recipes that are healthy and can be divided for easy snacking through the week. This oat granola bar recipe is one possibility. Buying (or growing!) local, seasonal fruit and vegetables is always wonderful too - they’re nature’s own snacks.

6. Teach the next generation

Perhaps the best way to be more eco-friendly as a family is to learn and do together. Teaching your little ones the importance of taking care of the planet as early as possible will set them up for a lifetime of sustainable living. Try buying picture books and stories that focus on environmental issues. Bring them along with you as you recycle, grow your own veg or cycle to school. They will learn to love eco-friendly living as much as you!