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In a world constantly looking for the next “big thing,” sustainability has proved itself beyond a one-month trend. It’s a necessary choice in how we live, work, and consume. Conscious consumerism is crucial to leave the best impact we can on our beloved planet. Prioritizing sustainability doesn’t have to be as mundane as “reduce, reuse, recycle,” it can be done in fun ways that can feel just as satisfying to partake in.
Repurposed Jars
A simple, yet impactful step toward a less wasteful lifestyle is embracing the “infinite life” of glass jars. Rather than a one-time use plastic cup, where the costs add up daily, you could have a “brand new” glass tumbler. The jar from the jam you just finished, or the marinara sauce you used in last night’s dinner, can be ever-so-simply reused. A soak and scrub is all it takes to have yourself a new cup! It can be used for drinks like coffee or tea, and the screw-on lid makes it perfect to have in your bag on the go. Not to mention how excited I personally get about making my morning latte in a cute jam jar.
Reusable Bags
Next, adopting reusable bags is hands down the cutest way to adopt sustainable practices. Specifically, the brand, Baggu, features affordable reusable bags in numerous patterns/designs and sizes. If you have ever been grocery shopping and had to double-bag with those flimsy plastic bags, or you have been shopping where they either charge or don’t have bags, you would absolutely benefit from these! Baggu is one brand of many, but what makes this brand so special is that they easily fold into a small square (as pictured above), optimal to use as an every day bag or have in your back pocket. Alternatively, if you carry a key ring or carabiner, the hook on the side of the Baggu cover is great to clip on. Not only does this choice truly make my life easier, but it also reduces one of the longest-lasting items in landfills.
Shopping Secondhand (for any of your hobbies!)
Lastly, one of the most well-known ways to engage in a more sustainable lifestyle is to shop secondhand. Shopping secondhand can look like thrifting, such as Goodwill or a local thrift shop, resale, a store like Plato’s Closet, or any other act of purchasing pre-owned goods. Promoting a circular economy provides affordable and unique items, while simultaneously reducing environmental impact. But what most people tend to forget about are the items that secondhand shops have, besides the expected ones like clothing and shoes. Secondhand shops tend to have an abundance of books, magazines, and fabric. These are just some of the items that are sold that can provide a sustainable method to fuel one’s already established hobby! To be able to find a book that Barnes and Noble may not carry, inexpensive cutouts of magazines for scrapbooking, and various fabrics for your next sewing project are enjoyable, while maintaining eco-friendly choices.
Sustainable practices can seem uninteresting or daunting, but they don’t have to be. These are just a mere few ways to implement more “green” ways of life, but what matters most is finding the methods that can be seamlessly integrated into your life. So, in honor of Mother Earth, let’s bloom into a more sustainable lifestyle, one method at a time.