Simple Sustainable Switches
Sustainability is something we hear through the news and social media every day, and the trend of eco-friendly living is on the rise. HydroFlasks have become a status symbol, and metal straws are available to buy anywhere you go. It shouldn’t have to be “trendy”… the topic of sustainability should be sustainable in itself. I am far from perfect when it comes to all of this, but I’m working on slowly making changes in my life to contribute in the tiniest way to helping the planet. Here are some easy sustainable switches I’ve made that are worth a try!
https://www.fromtheheartandhome.com/2019/02/quick-switches-for-more-sust…
1. I stopped buying coffee
My freshman year, I bought a coffee from Dunks just about every day. I don’t even want to think about how many cups, straws, and dollars that amounted to. I’ll still treat myself to a latte from White Heron every once in a while, but day-to-day, I make my coffee at home.
Last year, I got a Yeti cup and a Keurig, and my life changed for the better. I started making my coffee at home before class (this is dorm-friendly!), and I haven’t looked back since. I was lucky to get the cup as a gift, but the price of 1 Yeti costs the same as 1 week’s worth of coffee at Dunks! There are TONS of cute, affordable reusable cups out there! This year, I made the switch to reusable K-Cup pods, and I’ve been using the same $6 bag of coffee since September.
As a coffee fiend, all of this has definitely been a game-changer…Coffee can be eco-friendly!
https://www.yeti.com/en_US/drinkware/rambler-20-oz-tumbler
Reusable K-Cup Pods: https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Pod-ECO-Save-Refillable-Integrated/
2. I stopped storing food in plastic
This is another easy switch! I got Tupperware for my apartment as a gift, but inexpensive containers can be found just about anywhere (TJ Maxx and HomeGoods have a TON). Whenever I need to pack my lunch or have leftovers, I pack it up in my reusable containers. There are tons of options, like beeswax wraps and reusable sandwich bags, but for now, Tupperware works just fine for me!
https://www.grdominicans.org/care-creation-committee-commit-use-less-pla…
3. I’m mindful at Market Basket
Easiest switch here… Reusable bags!!!
I also realized that not every produce item needs to go in a plastic bag. Lots of fruits and veggies have natural peels, and I wash everything before I eat it anyway. Some things I still put in a bag, like broccoli, green beans and lettuce. There are reusable produce bags out there, but I haven’t jumped on that bandwagon yet. Baby steps! I’ll definitely be checking them out at some point.
Lastly, I’ve been eating less meat. By no means am I a vegetarian… Buffalo chicken is my lifeline and nothing beats my Nana’s homemade meatballs, but I do eat less meat than I used to. For me, this switch started out of laziness- I just don’t like cooking meat. However, mass meat production has a huge impact on the environment, so being mindful of that does the planet good!
4. I try to buy less in general
We live in a world of instant gratification, and it’s easy to find anything you could possibly want to buy. This month, I’m challenging myself to “No-Buy November”, where I’m trying to only buy necessities like groceries, gas, and hygiene items. It’s November 19th as I’m writing this, and all I’ve bought this month besides necessities is a face roller for my jaw and $4 spent on parking! I treat myself to new things every once in a while, but I’m really trying to break my old spending habits.
http://www.chiqueuniquecritique.com/2018/02/no-spend-november-what-i-lea…
5. I try to buy ethically
I’m not throwing away my entire wardrobe to replace it with ethically produced items, but when I need something, I do my best to make the most eco-friendly decision. Companies like Patagonia, L.L. Bean, Levi’s, Tom’s of Maine, and many more all have ethical missions to use better materials, provide fair working decisions, and decrease their overall carbon footprint. A lot of these companies may seem expensive, but their goods last longer, have repair/guarantee policies and great sales! You’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re a responsible consumer, too.
https://www.thebodyshop.com/en-us/hair/brushes-and-combs/detangling-comb/p/p000789
When I needed a new comb, I bought one made of bamboo instead of plastic.
https://www.backcountry.com/patagonia-refugio-backpack
When the time came where I needed a new backpack, I chose to buy one from Patagonia (and it was on sale!).
6. Water Bottles
In my opinion, this is the easiest switch of all! It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. There are water fountains just about everythwere these days. I honestly can’t remember the last time I bought or drank from a plastic water bottle!
https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-water-bottle/
Like I said, I’m not perfect. I’m the farthest thing from “zero waste”, and I’m by no means an expert on this topic. However, these little switches make me personally feel better about the way I live and how I treat the planet. Now that I’ve made these 6 switches, I don’t see myself going back!