It can be overwhelming attempting to make all the drastic changes necessary to live more sustainably. With the zero waste movement becoming widely recognized we’re reminded more than ever that our collective actions make a large environmental impact on our planet. We’ve all experienced putting too much on our plate only to find that at the end of the day our overwhelm prevented our productivity levels. The idea that we must do EVERYTHING to be sustainable has also made me feel similarly inadequate. Placing our focus on small improvements rather than attempting to completely reinvent our lives is a much kinder way to approach our new relationship with the planet. Rather than beating ourselves up for our sustainability shortcomings, let’s make small changes that quickly become our norm and from which we gain a sense of pride. You don’t have to do everything, but do SOMETHING!
1. Save and reuse jars.
It’s so simple. Wash and dry your jars for so many uses. Store brushes and pens, plants, small hardware bits or craft supplies, pantry items, DIY concoctions, homemade pickles, dressings, or sauces. You can literally use them for EVERYTHING. Opting for food in glass jars as opposed to plastic packaging means you can purchase the product guilt-free knowing you can either recycle or upcycle the jars later.
2. Hold on to your electronics.
We don’t often think about what natural resources and energy are used to create our electronic devices. Use the electronic devices you currently own for as long as you can. Despite modern marketing tactics encouraging us to “upgrade” to the newest gadget, it’s often unnecessary and wasteful both for the earth and your wallet. Thoroughly consider whether you need the item you intend to purchase. Then, purchase either a secondhand or new item best suited to your needs that will last the longest.
3. Eat vegan or vegetarian.
Food is so intertwined in our relationships with family and friends, memories, and our cultures. Being kind to ourselves and slowly starting to introduce changes to our diet is often more long-lasting and a much less daunting way to set out on this journey. The hardest things to give up will really depend on the person. For me, giving up cheese and ice cream are the hardest things! So rather than completely cutting these things out, I have almost completely given up the easiest animal products for myself, like red meat (for the most part) and use a cheese substitute (cashew cream, nutritional yeast, vegan cheese, etc.) whenever I can. The dogma that someone needs to be 100% vegan, unless of course this aligns with their personal values, should broken down. If everyone made a conscious effort to consume less meat, even if that meant just one meal a week, that would make all the difference. We all have to start somewhere.
4. Refuse plastic when possible.
This one is plain and simple. Make a conscious effort to purchase plastic products or products packaged in plastic, especially single use plastic. Each purchase we make is like a vote for companies that make an effort to reduce waste and be environmentally friendly. Continue to vote for these companies, and the mainstream companies will take the cue that they need to improve their sustainability practices to win the trust and loyalty of their customers.
9. Change up your laundry routine.
There are several things we can do here. First simple change would be to nix conventional liquid laundry detergents, softeners, enhancers, and pods which contain extremely harmful chemicals both for our bodies and for the planet. There are better options with natural ingredients, including liquid and powder formats. The liquid format almost always requires a plastic, albeit recyclable bottle, and is heavy/bulky and means more energy resources are used to transport them. If you can, use a natural powder detergent instead. Or make your own! There are plenty of recipes out there for DIY detergents. Do your research on the safety of each ingredient first. If you’re into a natural option that is almost 100% zero waste and doesn’t require being a mad scientist, you can also try soap berries or soap nuts. Mother Nature is awesome. Final tips! Wash only what you need to, and on the most energy efficient settings. Fill the water only as high as you need to, and only use heat for whites or heavily soiled clothing.
You did it! 5 painless and relatively easy ways you can be kinder to the planet. Don’t forget to also be kind to yourself – doing something is better than getting overwhelmed and not doing anything! Find more sustainable swaps here.
