5 Eco-Friendly Habits the World Should Learn from Australians

WORDS: Peter Minkoff PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied

Environmentalism and sustainability are two of the biggest movers in the Australian residential and commercial markets nowadays, prompted by government incentives but also a cultural mindset revolving around conservation and preservation. Not only are the Australian residents leading greener and more sustainable lives, but even the big industries are going green and transforming their processes to ensure legal compliance and create a more sustainable business model.

While the Land Down Under is far from an eco-friendly utopia, the rest of the world can definitely learn a lot from the eco-conscious Aussies and their habits. That’s why today we are going to take a look at some of the best eco-friendly habits and solutions that the Australians are implementing into their lives, all of which you can steal for yourself to build a more sustainable lifestyle.

Investing in solar solutions

Not every home is able to get a solar system, and the ones that do may not be capable of harnessing the true potential of the solar panels. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t explore this option for yourself no matter where you live, because solar panels are becoming more sophisticated and advanced every year. One of the biggest reasons why Australians are rapidly switching to solar energy in their homes is because of government incentives, and the bustling solar industry that’s becoming more accessible by the day.

Because of the competitiveness of the industry, solar products and systems are becoming more affordable, and there’s a good chance similar deals and government rebates are available in your country as well. All in all, you could be looking at significant financial savings from switching to solar panels, not to mention that this energy type is clean and thus good for the environment. 

Passive conservation all the way

Australians tend to waste a lot of money and resources in general on cooling their homes. In a country with extremely high summer temperatures and high humidity levels, cooling down an interior of a house, office building, or apartment demands a significant use of the HVAC system, which is bad for the environment and your wallet. This is why Australians are always looking for alternative ways to keep the space cool during those gruelling summer months, one of the solutions being passive conservation.

Properly insulating your home is essential if you are to keep it cool in the summer and warm during the winter, without using your heating and cooling system too much. That said, the world could also learn a lot about surviving massive droughts and saving the local wildlife, because Australia has been plagued by massive bushfires for years.

One of the key solutions is to minimize water consumption in the household through passive conservation, by using low-flow toilets and shower heads, faucet aerators, and water-efficient appliances.

Putting a twist on car ownership and use

Car ownership is one of the biggest reasons behind the rising global CO2 emissions, waste, and pollution in general, and Australians are aware of this problem. In recent years, there has been a big push from the government and the private sector to promote carpooling and ride sharing as a way to minimize car use and reduce the negative impact on the environment.

Nowadays, innovative apps are simplifying efficient car share in Sydney which is becoming more and more popular as a result, and people are getting more accustomed to sharing vehicles and using them as needed instead of committing to full-time ownership. In the years to come, we can expect such innovations to make a positive impact on the modern way of life and the environment, and it’s definitely something you should explore in your own region as well. 

Growing vegetables in your backyard

There are many ways the individual can contribute to the sustainability of the local economy. For one, you can start buying from local companies and source your food from local farmers, which is something that Aussies have been doing in certain regions for a long time. 

But beyond that, Australians are increasingly growing their own vegetable gardens in their homes. If you have a backyard too, then you could try growing some local veggies to knock a couple of hundred dollars a year off your grocery bill, and help the environment in the process by not buying from the big brands.

Banishing single-use plastics from your life

Last but not least, it’s good to know that single-use plastics are slowly getting fazed out from Australian households, but that doesn’t mean that going plastic free is an easy feat. If you want to do what the Aussies do, then make sure to boycott individually wrapped products at the store, get reusable grocery bags, and stop buying bottled water. You can also stop using straws and disposable plates, and use glass containers to store food and perishables.

Over to you

In the end, there’s no denying that there’s a lot the world can learn from the eco-friendly Australians. While the Aussies still have a long way to go in becoming completely sustainable, you can definitely use these tips to set the stage for a sustainable future of your own.