Small Steps to being Eco-Friendly

Because I don't want to actually live on the moon.

During this pandemic, I've noticed that everything needs to be disposable and therefore, plastic. So I thought, what better time than now to share how I've taken small steps to being more eco-friendly. These are just that, small steps. This list can and will definitely grow in the future. I encourage everyone to take small steps as well. Just taking a few minutes of your day to make these changes can make the biggest impact in our world.

Ways to Reduce & Reuse

Thrift Stores - Thrift stores are now incredibly popular due to mainstream media. Despite this being a trend, thrift stores are wonderful because we get to reuse unwanted goods. Often times, this is a cheaper alternative. I thrifted a majority of my Craft Corner as well.

Reusable Tote Bags - I always buy large tote bags that have long shoulder straps. They hold a lot more items, don't rip and keep you hands free so you can open doors. Pre-covid, I liked to bring separate produce bags as well. Target also offers a $.05 discount if you bring your own bags.

No Straws - Simply tell your waitress 'no straw'. Or get reusable straws. I have this set that also has a Boba straw! *jaw drop* Otherwise, paper straws are another disposable option. They don't last as long as plastic, but they biodegrade faster.

Water Pitchers/Bottles Hmong people are really into their filtered water. No tap water for us. Instead of plastic water bottles, switch over to a filtered water pitcher or filtered dispenser. Switch to a reusable water bottle. I like to use a stainless steel water bottle in the summer, because it keeps your water very cold. I also like my Contigo water bottle, because I like having a straw and seeing when I need to refill.

Ebooks - ebooks get a really bad rep. The people who boast about 'real books' and their aesthetic and smell are probably not reading as often as you think they are. As someone who reads quite a lot, switching over to eBooks has been life-changing. I move a lot and always live in tiny spaces. Switching to eBooks has cleared up extra clutter I didn't need. Many people buy books that they no longer read (me) and they end up at the thrift store, so this reduces waste as well. Not ready to quit 'real books' yet? Start utilizing your public library or buy used books.

Digital Movies - similarly to ebooks, DVDs are now considered a waste of space. Utilize renting or buying movies on Amazon, YouTube, etc. Get a TV subscription like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO, etc.

Hair Removal - I use a combination of an epilator, tweezer and chargeable bikini buzzer. Shavers have a short expiration date, so they get thrown out frequently. Sugar waxing is also a good option as it uses all natural ingredients. My sister says she's better than me, because she just doesn't partake in hair removal. So there's also that option.

Batteries - Switch to reusable batteries! You save more money in the long run. I use this Amazon charger that also has compatible AA & AAA batteries.

Ways to Recycle

This one seems obvious, but I know many people who don't do this. Read your city's recycling regulations and get a grasp of what you can and cannot recycle. Taking 5 seconds to sort your trash is all it takes. Many stores also participant in recycling objects that your city may not accept. For example, Target (pre-covid) accepted plastic bags, cell phones/batteries and more. Ikea (pre-covid) accepted lightbulbs and in some places even mattresses. So keep an eye out next time you're at your local store to see if they offer any recycling options.

Wrapping Paper - switch out your un-recyclable wrapping paper (those shiny christmas prints) for recyclable options like Kraft paper or fabric (sacks, scarves, etc). Or reuse gift bags and boxes. The Sorry Girls have a YouTube video dedicated to sustainable gift wrapping!

Matches - I have one lighter for crafting, but all my candle burning now uses matches. Matches are biodegradable and compostable since they're made of wood.

Compost - My roommate enrolled in a compost service in Chicago. We have a bucket that we fill with food scraps and then it gets picked up by the end of the month to go to a farmer's field. Food scraps are 100% degradable and can be safely returned to the earth. When placed in a trash bag along with other plastic items, it's going to sit in a landfill for a hundred years.

Sustainability

Sustainability is the ability to be maintained with an ecological balance. Sometimes you can't reuse, reduce and recycle. Sometimes you have to buy things new, but there is a way to buy things new in a way that won't effect the environment negatively.

Reject Fast Fashion - reject companies that profit off low wages and cheap synthetic fabric. I'd rather thrift a Forever 21 shirt than support their business. Invest in companies using sustainable materials while also paying good wages with longer lasting results. To read more about how fast fashion is destroying the planet, here is an article from The New York Times. One new step I'm taking is buying organic fabrics.

Female Hygiene - All ladies who menstruate understand the annoying need for tampons/pads/etc. I tried the Diva Cup and it wasn't for me. I haven't gotten to period panties yet, so that might be my next step. For now, I buy organic tampons from Target. I cannot stress enough the need to buy organic products that don't have bleach or toxins. This is not only better for the environment, but better for your body. LOLA is a company that makes organic and sustainable female hygienic products: tampons, liners, condoms, lube, etc.

Vegetarian/Vegan Meal - Natalie Portman gave a wonderful speech about factory farming and being vegan. She recommended that we try and swap out one meal or one day of the week to go vegetarian/vegan. One meal or one day can make a difference. You can see her speech here.

Farmers Market - Support your local farmers by buying produce at the Farmers Market. Produce are typically organic, locally grown and cheaper.

Palm Oil - Palm oil is incredibly popular as it's used in foods, soaps, cosmetics, etc. Palm oil is used in 50% of packaged products. However, palm oil cultivation has and continues to cause massive deforestation and destroying homes in biodiverse forests. Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is a non-profit dedicated to tackling the cultivation of palm oil sustainably. To help, you can buy palm oil products that have a RSPO certification.

These are just the small steps that I have taken to live more eco-friendly. The biggest importance is that I try and I encourage everyone to do so. If you have eco-friendly tips and tricks as well, please share them below. I would love to know what extra steps I can do to live more sustainably.