Sustainable Swaps - 5 tips for the absolute beginner (like me!)
I must admit, I watched more YouTube videos on sustainable living than I would care to share and I still struggle to implement sustainable switches into my life. I would watch these inspiring vloggers explain how they changed simple things in their life to transition to a more sustainable lifestyle, but for some reason I always failed. I tried and tried to remember my reusable mug when I went to work and then would forget it at the office for a week and end up reverting right back to my old ways.
After some trial and error, I found a few switches that were super easy and helped me ease into the sustainable living world. I am by no means zero waste, but I am learning and working towards improving. I have done a lot of reading and educating myself about the impact of my decisions. One of the best quotes I have come across in my reading is this: "We don't need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions doing it imperfectly." -Anne Marie Bonneau
You don't need to make every change all at once to be more sustainable in your lifestyle, you can start with just one thing. Here are 5 ideas of things that you can try.
Disclaimer: Please use your best judgement for you and your loved ones in light of the novel Corona virus (COVID-19). Many of these things involve cleaning and reusing practices. Do what is best to keep yourself safe.
Swap 1: Reusable towels in place of paper/single use towels
Cleaning can produce a surprising amount of waste. Don't get me wrong, I think it is of the utmost importance to keep your living spaces clean, especially with a global pandemic happening. But I found that some waste when cleaning and cooking seemed pretty avoidable. For example, I wash my hands when I cook maybe 2 or 3 times depending on what food I'm handling. Every time after this, I would use a single use paper towel to dry them. Or after a meal, I would spray the counter down and use a paper towel to wipe up the crumbs. The easiest switch I have made is to use just regular towels. I know, this doesn't seem revolutionary but it has been a huge game changer. We got this pack of 60 microfiber towels from Sam's club for $16. They are super durable and so easy to throw into the washer with our weekly laundry!
You can find some similar versions on amazon to be shipped directly to your house. And if you are really fancy you can find some super creative folks on Etsy who have stitched snaps on so you can keep your towels rolled up on your favorite paper towel holder. The best (and cheapest!) option is actually to use old towels or cloth that you no longer need from your own house! Have some extra sheets that you are done with? Rip them up! Old bleached towels? Perfect! It doesn't need to be Pinterest ready to work! In addition to saving the planet, it has also saved us a boat load of money! It's honestly a win, win!
Swap 2: Transition to low waste cleaners
Did you know that the majority of your household cleaning supplies are actually just water? And what's crazy is that the cost of your cleaning supplies includes the cost to manufacture, package, ship, and stock! So that means that the cost to buy your cleaning supplies is paying for the company to make plastic containers for mostly water and then ship those containers! This seems pretty crazy to me and also to the makers of Blueland! Their company is really awesome because you provide your own water and they just provide a concentrated tablet of Eco-friendly, Non-toxic cleaners that you can dissolve. The first purchase you make you can get a single reusable plastic spray bottle, and all subsequent purchases are the small tablets shown above for only $2! This is not sponsored at all, I just love the concept!
If you're not quite ready to switch over to a reusable cleaning bottle, consider buying cleaners that have a dedication to non-toxic chemicals. Not only is this better for you, it is so much better for the water supply and the earth as a whole! One of my favorite brands is Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day which has a ton of different cleaning products (laundry, surface, skin) with some awesome scents! If you have lots of cleaning supplies already, be sure to use them all up or donate them to someone who will use them before considering switching to a different brand!
Swap 3: Try thrifting instead of frequenting big box stores
Don't get me wrong. I love Target, TJ Maxx and Homegoods as much as the next person and I will be honest in telling you that I haven't stopped shopping there totally, but I am more aware of the repercussions of 'Fast Fashion'. The fashion and decor industry can produce a significant amount of waste. The products are built quickly and not meant to last leading to a lot of product ending up in the land fill. Compounding this is the human rights issues that are often involved with the working conditions of the people who are producing the products. They are often payed much too little, have substandard working conditions, and may even include child labor. To combat this we can shop at companies who have a commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. The biggest problems that I had found with these companies is they are (rightly so) a little bit more expensive. As a student, I have found that sometimes they are outside of my price point or maybe not my style.
Going antiquing/thrifting/vintage hunting is a perfect alternative. The style you get from a curated collection found in an antique store is super unique and won't be replicated easily. Many times you can strike good deals with the shop keepers and find some super fun decor items. I've found it's best to go into these stores with an idea of what you are looking for. Pinterest is an awesome place to check out how to style vintage pieces (I have a few fun boards there that have been great inspiration to me, check them out!). It gives you an idea of the aesthetic you like and then you can determine which pieces you are looking for when you go out. Not only are you saving things from the landfill, you will have a one-of-a-kind, stunning home.
Swap 4. Remember your reusable shopping bags
Photo credit: Unsplash
This one may seem like a no brainer, but it can really make a huge difference. So many single use plastic bags get thrown into landfills every year and they take a long time to break down. Bringing your own bags can really cut down on that waste. There are tons of cute bags you can buy on Amazon or Etsy for a good price or just use some old bags you have around the house.
I also invested in a few reusable produce bags like the ones shown in the picture above! They can also be found on Amazon in different sizes. These are easy to throw into your car and are machine washable after use so they don't get smelly or dirty. Old pillow cases are also a great low priced alternative you may already have around your house. The one thing to consider is how much your bags weigh and if your grocery store can remove the weight of the bag. The produce bags I got from amazon actually include the weight of the each sized bag to make it super easy. They are also slightly sheer so that the clerk can see what's inside which can expedite the check out process. If you forget your reusable bags or don't have any, consider skipping the bag all together! Most produce is just fine to not be wrapped while you are shopping and will be washed anyway before it is eaten!
5.Consider buying in bulk
Photo credit: Unsplash
Buying food in bulk can save you lots of money and plastic packaging. Many stores have a bulk buy section that you can fill containers with just the amount that you want. By purchasing in bulk you will reduce not only your package waste, but also food waste by controlling how much food you get. Check your local stores regulations on using your own refillable containers, this can vary store to store. If your local store doesn't have a bulk section, look to see if you have any farmers markets in the area. Often times the markets will have bulk product and you are getting fresh product directly from the person who produced it. This cuts down on supply chain emissions from shipping, package waste, and supports small business! A great option all around!
If you know that you will eat/use a lot of a certain item you can also buy it in larger quantities from warehouse stores. These stores will give you a discount for the larger quantity of food and often times it has less packaging than you would otherwise have in the traditional grocery store packaging.
Have you started to make your way into the world of sustainable living? Share your tips below!
Some awesome people/resources:
Sarah Therese - Canadian vlogger/instagrammer with great tips on sustainable living
Delilah Loeppky - Canadian Vlogger/instagrammer with tips on minimal and sustainable living
Shelbi/Shelbizleee - Envoromental scientist/Vlogger with awesome suggestions for sustainable switches
Sedona Christina - American lifestyle vlogger with awesome tips and reviews of sustainable products
Some really eye opening documentaries on sustainable/ethical purchasing:
This is such a wonderful post! Thank you for the ideas. In my house we already use towels for everything. Dishtowels for drying our hands and even washcloths to wash our dishes instead of blowing through sponges.
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