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Topic
Sustainable living

The sustainability of products and services, energy resources, building materials, food and shopping are more important than ever.

Learn more about the environmental impact of products with our expert advice.

To help you buy better, many of our product reviews come with energy and water usage metrics, estimated running costs, and also ‘Shop Ethical’ ratings.

Sustainable food

We look at the issues around the sustainability of food production, consumption, and best practices to help you make an informed choice.

5 things CHOICE's fridge expert would never do

Our in-house expert Ashley Iredale explains why he always plays with the settings and isn't a fan of ice-makers in fridges.
Switching from gas to induction: Things to consider

Worried about the rising costs and health risks of cooking with gas? Here are some tips for making the switch to induction.
How to cook more sustainably

From appliances and groceries to cooking and composting, these changes can help reduce your environmental impact.
Love your leftovers with these star appliances

Save money on food by putting these kitchen grafters to work to create delicious second-chance suppers.
How sustainable are meal box delivery services?

We look at Marley Spoon, HelloFresh, Pepper Leaf, Aussie Farmers Direct and Thomas Farms Kitchen.
Tips for finding the most sustainable canned tuna

How to read the label to find the most sustainable canned tuna.
Can eating kangaroo reduce your carbon footprint?

Roo has found its way onto supermarket shelves and into high-class restaurants. Should we be eating it?
Best reusable food pouches for children

We trial reusable food pouches from brands including Cherub Baby, ChooMee and Sinchies.
What to know before buying a reusable water bottle

Reusable bottles can help shrink your carbon footprint by cutting down on single-use plastics.

Sustainable shopping

We look into the production of consumer goods, packaging, and marketing to help you buy better.

Why you should think twice about buying a cheap bike from Kmart

Our investigation reveals the pitfalls of low-cost bikes and gives you tips to avoid buying a lemon.
Cotton vs bamboo: Which is best for bed sheets?

Experts discuss the pros and cons of these two popular bedding fabrics.
A forever phone? The Nokia smartphone you can repair yourself

Our expert verdict on how easy the Nokia G22 is to fix and whether it lives up to the hype.
How to choose sustainable appliances

Your guide to buying new appliances that are better for you and the planet.
Best reusable water bottles

We assess reusable water bottles from popular brands like KeepCup, Yeti, Kathmandu, Kmart, Thermos and more to find out which ones are best at keeping their cool.
How to shop smart and save money on new appliances in the end-of-financial-year sales

Fridge on the fritz or dryer dead as nails? Here are some tips for buying a new appliance while sticking to your budget.
CHOICE review of appliance packaging finds plenty of non-recyclables

Our packaging materials review shows some manufacturers are doing better than others when it comes to sustainability.
Can refillable products save you money?

We compare refillable products at Aldi, Coles and Woolworths to see what your options are and how much you can save.
What to know before buying a reusable coffee cup

You may have heard of brands like KeepCup, Yeti and Thermos, but there's more to consider than just a name.
10 ways to be more sustainable in 2022

Simple ways to reduce your environmental impact and turn over a new green leaf.
How to avoid power-hungry kitchen appliances

Choose the right appliance to help cut your energy costs.
Eco-friendly alternatives to plastic toothbrushes

Can they really keep both your teeth and the planet clean?
Why 'green' toilet paper doesn't usually fare well in our test

From the best budget buy to the softest recycled roll, here's the bottom line from our toilet paper tests.
How to start your own compost system at home

Divert food waste from landfill and help the environment by choosing the best compost system for your home.
Using your own plastic containers at Coles, Woolworths and IGA

You already bring your own bags to the supermarket, so why not BYO plastic containers?
Can you trust green claims on labels?

How to make sense of all the green and ethical claims on products and services, and know which ones are legitimate.
Why 'green' toilet paper doesn't usually fare well in our test

What you should look for when buying this household staple.
'Eco friendly' paper towels reviewed

What to look for when buying this handy kitchen item.
Are my tissues eco friendly?

We make sense of tissue claims about green credentials and comfort.
Can cheap appliances ever be ethically made?

A great bargain or just suspiciously cheap? Here’s what you need to consider before buying a budget appliance.

Electric vehicles

How far can an EV go?

Your quick guide to switching to an electric vehicle.

Compare your petrol car with an electric vehicle for range, charging times and costs of a day trip.

EV start guide

Energy saving

We look at practical ways to help you save energy at home, from purchase decisions to changing ways of living.

Washing hacks to save you time, water and money

From tricks with vinegar to reusing greywater, these simple tips will make washing and cleaning a breeze.
Five ways to reduce your household energy use

Here’s how you can save money – and the environment – by reducing your household energy use and carbon footprint.
How to choose an energy-efficient air conditioner

A more efficient air conditioner could save you hundreds on your energy bill.
Reduce energy usage and costs with energy-efficient appliances

Your choice of appliance – and how you use it – can cut your energy use and bills.
Heat pumps explained: What are they and how do they work?

Here's what to know about this highly efficient means of transferring heat.
How a thermal camera can help reduce your energy bills

The power of thermal imaging can show you which areas of your home are letting heat in and out and driving up energy bills.
Pros and cons of different hot water systems

Electric and gas hot water systems each have their advantages, so which is the best option for your home?
How to keep energy costs down on your home entertainment system

You can save on your power bills by choosing the right device.
How to buy the best home energy power monitor

Find the right meter for your energy-saving needs.
How to buy the best smart lights

What makes smart lights so great and what do you need to watch out for?
The cost of leaving appliances on standby

How much are you paying each year to leave your appliances in standby mode?

Sustainable energy

Making the switch to greener energy like solar requires lots of information and decision making - our aim is to make help make this easier for you.

Rising cost of electricity will improve solar payback times

The time it takes to recoup installation costs on a new solar system could drop by 10–30%.
Should you buy budget solar panels?

We look at whether cheaper solar panels can perform well, or if more expensive solar panels are always the best.
Are your solar panels working?

Six simple steps to find out if all is well with your solar PV system.
How to find the best green electricity provider

How green is your energy retailer? See how Origin, AGL, EnergyAustralia and more rank.
Four steps to get started with solar

Our expert guide answers all your solar questions.
How to find quality solar panels and installation

Our guide to picking the right solar quote and knowing your rights in this sometimes shady market.
Sizing your solar panel system

Figure out the right size of solar PV system to suit your home.
How to buy the best solar panels for your home

What you need to know before you install.
Reduce energy usage and costs with energy-efficient appliances

Lack of information about the green credentials of energy retailers stops people making environmentally conscious choices.
Are your solar panels working?

Six simple steps to find out if all is well with your solar PV system.
How to buy the best solar inverter

Getting the right type of inverter for your home's solar system.
The best solar storage batteries: Tesla Powerwall and more put to the test

An independent trial compared solar storage batteries in lab conditions, and not all survived.
How to buy the best solar hot water system

Cheap to run but not so cheap to buy – which solar hot water system is for you?
How to maintain your solar panel system

What does solar panel maintenance involve and how often should it be done?
Solar panel specifications database

If you're looking to get solar panels installed, our table will help you compare the specifications of major brands and models on the market.

Sustainable transport

Alternative fuel options and electric cars and bikes are becoming more common, we look at these issues from your point of view.

I tried an electric bike for a month and fell in love

CHOICE editorial director Mark Serrels test rode an e-bike to see if it was worth the hype.
Electric vehicle reviews

We've sifted through crowdsourced data about range, battery performance, efficiency and more to give you an insight into electric cars from major brands like Tesla, Polestar and Volvo.
Road-testing the Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin pure electric vehicle

Why CHOICE has invested in an electric car, and what it's like to drive and charge.
Electric vehicles starter guide and range calculator
Electric vehicle charging

We look at the options in Australia for charging electric vehicles at home and at public charging stations.
Petrol and its alternatives: how you can save on fuel

There are ways to lighten the cost of fuel to both you and the environment.
Is a green car loan worth it?

How a green car loan can help you buy an eco-friendly vehicle
Is the Aldi folding electric bike worth it?

Bargain or binnable? We take this sub-$1000 ebike for a test ride to find out.
The best apps for finding cheap fuel

These handy browsers for nearby bowsers can help you save money on petrol.