Conversations about sustainability are often coupled with the latest products or items that you can purchase to be more “eco-friendly.” Things like Hydro-flasks, aesthetically-pleasing bamboo sets of toothbrushes or dish scrubbers, or nice cutlery sets come to mind. Although these things are a step in the right direction, purchasing new things isn’t always the most sustainable thing to do (something we’ll discuss further in this post).
So what are some easy and simple ways to incorporate sustainable practices into our lives?
For starters, we can use what we have.
Like mentioned previously, the appeal of appearing sustainable has taken precedence over adopting the mindset completely.
I’m a huge fan of cute sustainable swaps, and I’m guilty of going overboard with buying new things to replace pre-existing things when I first got interested in zero waste. However, using and upcycling things you already have is the best way to practice sustainability.
If you’re thinking about purchasing new wash cloths to clean and dust surfaces, consider cutting up old t-shirts and using those bits instead. If you’re thinking about purchasing a new water bottle, consider using the plastic reusable one you already have in your cupboard.
Secondly, if you need to purchase new items (new clothes, new decor, etc.) consider shopping second hand.
Recently, I was browsing the web for a new outfit to take college graduation pictures in. My initial thought was looking at sustainable and ethically sourced clothing stores, but then I remembered this magical app called Poshmark where you can purchase pre-loved items at a reduced price compared to if you bought them new.
The item that I purchased wasn’t manufactured at a eco-friendly clothing brand, but at least this pre-loved item can receive even more love. This is how I see it: the damage has already been done. The item was made, it was already purchased and worn, might as well give it a longer life span.
Another thing you can start doing is washing your laundry in cold water. I don’t know the intricate details about the benefits this has on the environment, but I do know that it uses less energy.
Even better is washing cold and hang drying your clothes on a rack. I purchased a clothing rake from Amazon a few years ago and it not only saves me money at the laundromat, but it also saves a bit of energy for the environment.
If you’re feeling an itch to be even more eco-friendly when it comes to laundry, then hand wash your clothes from time to time. I don’t do this every time I have to do laundry, but when I need to do a small load, I use this washing bag I purchased on Amazon.
The last easy and simple way you can incorporate sustainability into your life is investing in quality items. When you take the time to research items that were designed to have long life spans (and you know that you’re going to find value in the item), then saving and spending a bit more on a quality item is worth it opposed to purchasing cheaply made items that will break and need replacing every few months or years. Quality over quantity is the way to go.
I would love to hear your thoughts about these 6 easy and simple ways to be more sustainable in the comment section!
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