Written by Ashley Wehrs, Photos by Kyla Rys
Creating a sustainable lifestyle isn’t easy, but every step makes a difference. Sustainability is a process, so treat it like one! To begin making eco-friendly lifestyle changes you can:
1. Finish using your non-sustainable items
Throwing away non-sustainable items before you are finished with them to replace them with sustainable alternatives isn’t actually as helpful as it may seem; it still leads to waste. It’s easy to feel bombarded with lists of sustainable items you “should” be using. Clear your conscience, use what you own and search for sustainable options when you’re ready.
2. Try plastic-free products
Once you’re done using what you own, try a zero waste or biodegradable product! Bar dish soaps, hand soaps, shampoos, conditioners and toothpastes are great alternatives to their plastic counterparts. Many of these alternatives are known to last longer and cost less over time as well.
3. Set up a meal plan
Setting up a meal plan allows you to budget and reduce food waste. If you have expired food, see if it can be composted. Not all neighborhoods have compost pick up routes but searching “compost near me” can connect you with local drop off stations.
4. Prioritize food health and safety
Diet and sustainability go hand in hand. Reducing meat intake, shopping locally and purchasing organic options are some of the most impactful ways we can influence our carbon footprint.
Reducing meat intake:
A good way to start is by choosing one type of meat you’d like to cut from your diet. If this is too much for you, look at how many times a week you eat meat and cut it down by one day! Eliminate another meat or day the following month.
Shopping locally:
Stop by your local farmer’s market the next time you need to go grocery shopping. How much can you cross off your list? Locally sourced foods often include less chemicals, decreases travel emissions and shows support to small businesses.
Organic:
The “Clean 15, Dirty Dozen” lists foods with the least and most pesticides. Buying organic products is always better for the environment, but not always realistic for your wallet. Organic alternatives to the “Dirty Dozen” decrease your largest consumption of pesticides while moving towards a more sustainable diet.
5. Take a chance on cloth napkins
Three paper napkins, 365 days a year ends up making 1,095 napkins per person. Paper towels and napkins decompose in two weeks to a month. Cloth alternatives are eco-friendly and affordable. Once you finish using your paper napkins, switching to cloth napkins can save you anywhere from $155 – $2,556 over five years.
6. Conserve energy
Disconnect your chargers and appliances when they’re not being used. Turn your computer’s “sleep mode” setting to turn on after ten minutes of no activity. Your electric bill will thank you!
7. Find your local plastic bag recycling drop-off
As a COVID-19 safety precaution many stores have banned reusable grocery bags. Most neighborhood recycling services do not accept plastic bags, however, many grocery stores do! Find a plastic bag recycling drop-off location in your area.
The debate between paper, plastic and reusable bags is alive and well, but ultimately, whatever you use – use them. Repeatedly.
8. Properly dispose of your products
Compost, recycle, trash. Most counties have recycling and composting guides if you need some help. If you can’t find yours, try King County, WA as a basis.
9. Keep trying
Figuring out how to be more sustainable is hard, but the effort does matter. It’s okay to not have it right all the time.
