Dear reader,
In addition to eating a more plant-centric diet, there are many other cheap and easy ways to improve our own quality of life, the lives of those around us, and the health of our planet. Starting with these 8 simple sustainable swaps, we can take steps to protect our ecosystem and preserve natural resources for future generations.
I challenge you, pick just one of these to get started. The key to building strong habits is to avoid overwhelm and start small. It’s a practice, perfection is not the end goal. With that being said, here are my top 8 sustainable swaps to minimize waste, and create mindful habits so we can love on mama nature a bit more in our day-to-day lives.
- Swap those single use coffee cups and water bottles for reusable. If you’re heading out to a coffee shop, grab a mug from home and ask the barista to use it for your bev. New checklist…”Phone, keys, wallet, mask, beverage mug.” Let’s sip more sustainably, people.
- Speaking of coffee, swap your single use filters with a reusable coffee filter. K-Cup user? No problem! They make reusable filters for their products now, too.
- Swap the single use plastic sandwich and gallon bags to silicone bags. They are durable, reusable, and great for fridge, freezer or pantry storage, takeaway lunches, and snacks. We use Stasher Bags, as they are dishwasher and microwave safe too! They can be a pretty penny on the front end, but WELL worth it because you won’t need to keep those single use plastic baggies on your grocery list, and can significantly reduce plastic waste on a daily basis.
- Minimize single serve and heavily packaged buying. Try to buy more in bulk and use your own Tupperware to store. For example, if you are buying yogurt, look at your store options. There are small cups of yogurt, and then there are the large containers (usually around 24 oz) of yogurt. Choose the large container, plain, and then use your tupperware at home to make your own serving sizes and parfaits. There is also the BULK SECTION in nearly many grocery stores. Use this section to buy nuts, coffee, oats, grains, legumes, flours, pasta, granola, and spices in bulk. Purchase a reusable container or bag in the store or bring in your own clean container or bag to refill. This process with significantly reduce the need for individually packaged items and reduce waste! Outside of food items, there are companies all over working to minimize packaging, there are even several package free companies! Here is a list of just a few:
- Package Free Shop: Health and beauty, home goods, gifts, and so much more.
- EcoRoots: For home, kitchen, bath, and beauty.
- Etee: For personal care and home/kitchen essentials
- Zero Waste Store: For zero waste makeup, haircare, cleaning products, baby care, eco friendly pet products, and loads more.
- Sun & Swell Foods: For pantry staples, grab-and-go snacks, kitchen goods, home goods, and personal-care products-but without the waste!
- EarthHero: Think “Amazon Alternative”
- Zero Waste Outlet: For bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and travel
- Common Good : Cruelty free and zero waste cleaning products
- Swap those paper towels, and paper napkins for cloth dish towels and cloth napkins. We have a small section of our cabinet space where we store clean dish towels and cloth napkins. Once they’ve been used, just throw them in the laundry to be washed! Reuse, reuse, reuse.
- Swap your dryer sheets for reusable wool dryer balls–Dryer balls effectively reduce the time it takes for clothes to dry, which can save you hundreds in gas and electricity over time. Dryer sheets have no impact on drying time. Dryer balls, unlike dryer sheets, are reusable, which not only helps the environment but also saves you money! It’s a no brainer.
- Swap plastic cutlery with silverware from home or reusable cutlery. Grab a knife, fork, and spoon from home, or pick up a set from a thrift store. You can take this with you for any meal on the go, work lunch, picnics, or road trips. When it comes to air travel, be sure to swap silverware ( if using) for something security-friendly. I have been using the same bamboo set for years! Amazon purchase, $11. It’s lightweight, dishwasher safe, and comes in a nice little pouch too!
- Swap parchment paper for silicone baking mats. These silicone baking mats are designed to create an even, nonstick surface for all your baking or roasting needs. Simply utilize them as you would parchment paper, but instead of creating more trash, wash and reuse them again and again! I like to keep two sets on hand-one set for baking sweeter goods, and one for roasting. I simply cannot have my cookies tasting like brussel sprouts.
Takeaway:
Right now, we are producing resources, using energy, and creating waste at a rate that isn’t sustainable for the longevity and health of our planet. Of course we need to be able to meet our own needs on a daily basis, but what we cannot continue to do is choose whatever seems to be the most ‘convenient’ option. That is what is leading us to make mindless decisions that compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Instead, let’s be a bit more mindful. Let’s make alternatives, like these, the new norm. How? Begin by choosing just one-whether it be the swap that feels like the easiest change for you and your life, or the or the one that is most motivating to you at the moment. Start there. Then, overtime, come back to this list and add on. You will not only create change in your own life, but will influence others to do the same, simply by your actions. Quiet actions are a powerful thing.
Note: This blog post is not sponsored. All items were purchased by Sunny&Spiced. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Until next time,
Bridget