6 tips to live a sustainable lifestyle
Many people know that they want to live a more sustainable, eco-friendly lifestyle, but for a lot of us, living the “zero waste” way can feel so hard, that we give up before we even begin. Here are 6 tips to live a sustainable life that are easy ways to start your zero waste journey:
Shop local - One of the best things about buying local products is the ability to support the producers who live in your community. Beyond that, there are many reasons to shop local - less distribution means less carbon emissions, buying locally often means you’re supporting smaller, family-run businesses, and often local producers are much more conscious of what they do with their products - while they aren’t always certified organic, many local producers adhere to the principles of organic farming, so you know (or can find out) exactly where your food comes from!
Invest in the best - While it can be tempting to buy brand new clothing, sourcing clothing second-hand has some great benefits. Buying high-quality second-hand clothing means you will pay less for more durable pieces, are more likely to get more use from it yourself, and have the ability to pass it down once it is outgrown (because it rarely gets worn out before that happens). The benefit of buying higher quality, more durable clothing means you pay less in the long run and contribute far less waste in the form of worn-out clothing!
Make conscious reduce and reuse choices - For years convenience has been the order of the day for most US households. The problem with convenience is that we, and our planet, are now paying a hefty price for that way of living. Start with noticing what you are throwing away and the sustainable alternatives - plastic straws and drink bottles can be replaced by stainless steel alternatives, disposable toothbrushes are now made sustainably with bamboo, and cloths used to clean your home are readily available in hemp, bamboo, and organic cotton. While it might feel overwhelming to look at all of your home, start with a single room, and work towards a more sustainable household, one product at a time!
Be willing to eat ugly - Did you know that a lot of fresh produce grown in the US never actually makes it to the shelf? Anything that doesn’t fit a particular size, shape, or has been slightly damaged or bruised between harvest and sale often gets sent straight to a dumpster! Eating ugly means that perfectly tasty food that “didn’t meet the grade” doesn’t end up in the trash, and anything that is not truly fit for consumption gets sent to the compost - allowing everything produced to be useful, and nothing goes to waste.
Choose bars - Every time you wash yourself - your hands, your hair, your body - choose bars over products in plastic. There are some truly great products on the market these days for self-care and hygiene, even shampoo and conditioner bars for different hair types! Choosing bars means there is no more plastic waste every time you run out, and has the added benefit of knowing exactly what has gone into the product, and onto your body, because bars don’t contain the same chemicals as typical shampoos, conditioners, body washes, and soaps. Start with the motto that if it contains something you can’t pronounce, you probably don’t want it on your skin!
BYO packaging - Increasingly, there are opportunities for you to bring your own method of packaging when purchasing products for your home and family. Whether that means buying a good quality shopping tote for those trips to the grocery store, or having reusable containers that you can bring in and fill with your favorite foods, BYO packaging is a great way to get started on your zero waste journey!
Here at Precycle, we love to help others discover the joys of sustainable living. We source products locally, practice what we preach with zero waste policies, and love to provide advice and support to our community, regardless of where they are on their sustainability journey.