There is no doubt Tiny Houses make sustainable living possible. And sustainable living supports the natural environment, the economy and the people who depend on these interrelated areas to thrive.
Sustainable living has been defined as ‘the practice of reducing demand for natural resources by making sure that we replace what we use to the best of our ability’. It’s a replenishing cycle, returning to the shared pool of resources for future generations. However, this definition hides the role that economics and human relationships have to play.
In this article you will discover how Tiny Houses bring sustainable living and proves that the way we build our homes can make a huge difference in how we live and relate to the environment.
Environmentally sustainable living
Aussie Tiny Houses are eco-friendly. We build Tiny Houses with a low footprint and all the models in our range can run completely off grid using clean technology systems:
- Solar power
- Rainwater tank
- Composting toilet
- Grey water filtration
Read this excerpt from our Sunshine Coast Clean Technology Award submission to learn how we build sustainably:
‘While producing an eco-friendly product, Aussie Tiny Houses does everything we can to have a low environmental footprint.
Water needs are very low within our manufacturing process. Our factory’s small water consumption is to support our staff with their needs in the bathroom and kitchen.
Cardboard and paper from the workshop and offices is recycled via the council bin that is collected every fortnight.
Each time we grew and moved into a new factory, we replaced all the lights with LED bulbs to improve energy efficiency. Our workshop team uses battery operated tools that are charged overnight and regularly tested for optimal performance as well as safety.
While following building guidelines, our quality craftsmen minimize waste by cutting materials to maximize use of the length or sheet. However we do have materials left over. All our steel off cuts are recycled and collected once a week. We are in discussions with a timber recycling company to find out how we can also recycle the timber off cuts we end up with.
Most of the materials we use are stored in our factory. We are able to buy in bulk to minimize transport costs and environmental footprint.
To improve the product and avoid the cost of repair or replacement that wooden frames posed on our earlier products, we decided to use stronger steel frames for long term economic and environmental benefit. This includes a reduction in weight of the tiny houses during towing which reduces drag and hence fuel consumption. Steel does not require chemicals often used in wood treatment to resist termites. Both steel and timber are recyclable yet timber cannot always be recycled due to the chemicals used. An important factor in our decision to switch to steel frames is the local supply, whereas timber is often sourced overseas.
85% of our staff live locally, around Coolum, which minimizes emissions from travel and the short commute adds to a better work-life balance for the employee.’
We can build with a low footprint because we work with our suppliers to reduce transportation. Our designs make the best use of materials with less waste and any off cuts are recycled. We use high quality materials because it’s important to us to build a home that lasts, especially under Australian weather conditions.
By building off site, when a Tiny House is delivered it can be nestled amongst the trees. A standard house-building site is often stripped bare of trees for machinery to access the block and the precious soil too easily gets ripped up.
“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”
Robert Swan OBE
Financial freedom
Economic sustainability stems from managing the resource of money in a way that reduces demand and replenishes savings or capital. Along the continuum of the Tiny House movement, from small space design to living on the land, economic sustainability occurs because people like you are willing to challenge consumerism and create a positive future for generations to come.
At Aussie Tiny Houses we proudly source all our materials from 30 Queensland suppliers:
- 80% of our suppliers are located on the Sunshine Coast
- The remaining 6 suppliers are based in Brisbane
We work closely with all our suppliers and have formed partnerships to design innovative products especially for Tiny Houses and streamline the ordering process. By injecting assets and demand to grow local businesses, we help our own sustainability and also the local economy.
For Tiny House owners, financial stability is possible because life becomes simpler and priorities become clearer. This positive cycle is how our clients Amy and Greg live after downsizing from their standard three bedroom house in a major family inspired decision. They pay nominal rent for a block on a friend’s property and have thrived with a family of four in their Tiny House. They live semi-off grid with very low utility bills and a comfortable yet clutter free home.
Tiny Living and financial freedom
Listen to our conversation with Amy and Greg about how going Tiny gave them financial freedom and a lifestyle they can sustain without stress:
Emotionally supportive
Living a lifestyle where less is more, especially off the grid, is self empowering. There’s an energizing sense of autonomy and locus of control from not outsourcing all utilities – just imagine the great feeling when the rainwater tank is full vs getting a water bill!
When the self is feeling supported, relationships with others improve and decision making continues to provide positive outcomes. This is sustainable living.
Less stuff, more life! Creating a sustainable life and society requires that we recognise and embrace those qualities that give our life meaning and are prepared to shed old habits that are unsustainable.
www.sustainablelivingguide.com.au
We love hearing from ATH clients that their overall well being has improved since going Tiny. There’s a lift of financial burden that previously tied them to long work hours and reduced the time they had to spend on healthy activities or with their family.
Aussie Tiny Houses was founded knowing that the simpler lifestyle that comes with Tiny House living means a return of more free time, money and energy. With healthier lifestyles centred around natural surroundings and relationship building at its core, Aussie Tiny Houses is proud of the social impact we make for new homeowners and the communities they live in.
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