What it’s really like living in a ‘completely sustainable’ household

When Sheryl Yeates proposed their household undergo some serious changes her husband wasn’t so sure. This is what they did.

When Sheryl Yeates told her husband she wanted to become a completely sustainable household he wasn’t so sure.

But now the entire family works together to have their own positive impact on the environment.

From beekeeping to composting and from making their own soap to growing their own food, this Brisbane-based family have become the blueprint for sustainable living.

Four years ago, Sheryl Yeates watched the renowned Australian documentary The War on Waste and her entire perspective on her use of plastics was changed.

She started making body products herself, bought reusable products, grew her own fruit and vegetables and started composting.

“My passion is just reducing the waste and when you make things yourself you know there’s no chemicals going into it, so it’s better peace of mind as well,” Ms Yeates said.

Sheryl Yeates, 39, at home with her husband Lyndon, 41, and their two children Owen, 8, and Lewis, 6. Picture: Liam Kidston

And while it took a moment for her husband Lyndon to come around to the drastic lifestyle change, she said he found his own passion in the world of sustainable living through beekeeping.

“He is about to get out of the police force, where it’s high stress and he was suffering with his mental health and PTSD,” Ms Yeates said.

“Having bees were like his therapy, you have slow down and you can’t get angry.”

The family even now sell the honey from an honest box at the front of their house.

Although Ms Yeates’ love for the environment and animals has played a strong role in her lifestyle change, there’s been one other thing driving her to continue.

“I want to influence my kids. I think kids are the future and I want to influence them and their choices.

“I try to include them in everything we do,” she said.

For beginners, Ms Yeates assures making the change isn’t as hard as it seems – it’s all about starting small.

“Do an audit of your bin … Not everyone’s going to be into making their own body products, you can start with reusable. Period undies, menstrual cups and cloth nappies are an easy change.,” she said.

“We’ve put solar on our house and we’ve got rainwater tanks and if you can afford the initial payment, it saves you money in the long run.”

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