At Family Treasures, we believe in creating a home that’s not only filled with love, laughter, and connection—but also one that’s gentle on our beautiful Earth. Recently, it was Earth Day and if you’ve been wanting to “go green” but aren’t sure where to start (or how to get the whole family on board), you’re not alone.
The good news? Eco-friendly living doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing, and it definitely doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Small changes add up—and when we do them together as a family, they become habits that last.
Here are 10 easy, sustainable swaps and habits your family can start today:
1. Start with a Family Chat
Have an open conversation around the dinner table about why caring for the Earth matters. Ask your kids what they notice about waste, nature, or recycling at school or in the neighborhood. Making it a shared goal gives everyone ownership.
2. Create a Recycling Station
Set up clearly labeled bins in your kitchen or garage for paper, plastic, glass, and cans. Kids can be “recycling detectives”, checking if something can be saved from the trash.
Bonus tip: Make a game out of seeing who recycles the most each week!
3. Cut Down on Single-Use Plastics
Start small: try reusable water bottles, beeswax wraps instead of cling film, or fabric snack bags for lunches. Let the kids pick out fun patterns to get them excited.
We recently tried out the Bamboo Kindbrush toothbrush (plus floss in a glass bottle + bite & brush teeth cleaning tablets). We were super impressed with the design of the toothbrush and the bite and brush teeth cleaning tablets actually left my teeth feeling clean and less sensitive. Swapping your toothbrush to a Kindbrush toothbrush is an easy and effortless swop to reduce plastic waste and inspire bite-sized changes.
4. Embrace Meatless Mondays
Reducing meat, even once or twice a week, can lower your family’s environmental footprint. Get creative with veggie tacos, lentil spaghetti, or homemade pizza with plant-based toppings.
5. Compost Your Scraps
Food waste can go a long way in the garden! Use a small compost bin in your kitchen, and turn it into an outdoor project the kids can help manage.
In Cape Town, the city actually runs a Home Composting Programme, this programme provides free home composting containers to residents to encourage citizens to start composting at home. Instead of throwing away your household organic waste, including fruit and vegetable waste, eggshells, tea bags, leaves, etc. they encourage you to use them to generate compost for your garden.
6. Shop Local (and Seasonal)
Farmers’ markets, small grocers, or even local co-ops are great places to find fresh, local produce. Bonus? You’ll reduce packaging and support your community.
Another thing you can do is support Re.Bag.Re.Use by purchasing one of their reusable bags. The Re.Bag.Re.Use team transforms clean, soft plastic into stylish, functional products, making something out of nothing. Not only does your support help to keep plastic from ending up in landfills, but Re.Bag.Re.Use also supports 21 households. Additionally, a percentage of each sale is donated to the Neighbourhood Old Age Home (NOAH) and the SPCA, spreading the love as far as possible.
7. Save Energy at Home
Make it a family mission to turn off lights when leaving a room, unplug devices not in use, and open windows for fresh air instead of putting on the fan or aircon. It saves the planet—and your utility bill!
8. Get Thrifty with Clothes and Toys
Organize swap parties with friends or browse local thrift stores. It’s fun, affordable, and teaches kids the value of reusing what we already have.
9. Grow Something Together
Even a windowsill herb garden can spark excitement! Gardening teaches kids patience, care, and where our food comes from. Start with easy-to-grow herbs like basil, mint, or chives. Here are some tomatoes from our garden, a few have already ripened to a beautiful red and they smelled amazing!
10. Make Eco-Friendly Crafts
Use recycled materials for art time—think cereal boxes, toilet rolls, crisp/chip containers or old magazines. It sparks creativity and reinforces the beauty of reuse.
Remember: You don’t need to do everything all at once. Pick one or two changes that feel doable this month, and build from there. Eco-living is about progress, not perfection.
Your family’s effort does make a difference—and it plants seeds of kindness, stewardship, and intention that will grow for generations.
You’ve got this, parents! What’s one green habit your family already loves—or one you’re excited to try next? Share it with us in the comments or tag us on Instagram/Facebook @treasuresdenise
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