What Is A Sustainable Lifestyle?
At the start of the New Year many resolutions are in full swing. One of your resolutions could be learning how to live a more sustainable lifestyle this year.
So what exactly is a sustainable lifestyle?
A sustainable lifestyle is one in which you purposefully work on reducing your carbon footprint. There is a wealth of information to help you on your quest to living greener. This post contains just a few of the many, many ways you can work on living more sustainably.
What Environmentally Friendly Changes Can I Implement?
First, it can be an overwhelming decision as to where to start at first as there are really endless options out there. I recommend focusing on something really important to you to get started. Keep in mind there is no right or wrong place to start.
Next, I will review my top three eco-friendly categories to help inspire change!
- Composting, Gardening and Saving seeds
- Reducing single use products
- DIY cleaning products
Composting, Gardening & Saving Seeds
Have you always wanted to try composting but didn’t know where to start? Well, I’m here to tell you it is easier than you think. You only need a few tools to get you started!
City Dwellers:
- Compost tumbler
- Compost bin
- City compost program
- Pitchfork or handheld garden shovel
Suburan Dwellers:
- If you have more space, you can discard your scraps outside in a hand built pallet or wood container (if you choose to forego a compost tumbler).
- Pitchfork
That’s it!
- For more information on the in’s and out’s of composting, check out this website for more info!
Gardening and Saving Seeds
Whether you have a lot of space or a little, there are great options out there for you. From outdoor raised garden beds, to indoor kitchen micro gardens. Where there is a will, there is a way!
- Sowing and saving seeds is not only easy and cheap, but also very sustainable!
- FYI: Green beans, peas and leafy greens are some of the easiest seeds to start with.
- Micro gardens: Great option for limited space!
Farmers Markets and CSA
Additionally, If short on time a visit to your local farmers market or joining a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) are both great options. You get to support local farmers who grow their own produce all the while reducing your own impact!
Finally, whether you give it a try and grow your own produce or support a local farmer, there’s really nothing better than fresh food straight from the source!
- Sowing and saving seeds is not only easy and cheap, but also very sustainable!
- FYI: Green beans and peas are some of the easiest seeds to start with saving if you want to give it a go.
- Micro gardens: Great option for limited space!
- Think locally when shopping
Reducing Single Use To Swap For Sustainable Use
Another environmentally friendly change you can implement, is swapping single use products for multi-use.
Some of the changes can include:
- Bamboo toothbrush
- Re-useable “paper towels” or here
- Non packaged bath products (think shampoo bars)
- Deodorant in reusable containers or cardboard
- Beeswax wraps (I’m obsessed with these!)
- Re-usable (and plastic free) menstrual products
- Glass bottles and re-usable straws
- Charcoal water filter
This list could go on and on.
DIY Green Cleaning
Lastly, making your own cleaning products is a great way to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Additionally, it’s a great feeling to use greener products… and it also is a lot cheaper!
I recently switched to making my own laundry detergent using just THREE simple ingredients. Likewise, you could also add a few drops of essential oils to the detergent! However, if you have sensitive skin like me I just stick to the original recipe.
Additionally, I made the switch to using glass spray bottles and cleaner concentrates to mix with water for my regular cleaning.
You can make a DIY cleaner concentrate using the following ingredients:
- Baking soda
- Distilled white vinegar
- Essential oils (lavender, orange, rosemary)
- Liquid Castile soap
Eco Friendly Cleaning Recipes
- For a specific recipe, here is a DIY All Purpose Spray Cleaner Recipe: Seen here
- Or you can purchase a pre-made concentrate refill: Like this one from Grove Collaborative
- DIY Laundry Detergent Recipe: Here is the recipe I use here
Ready To Transition To A More Sustainable Lifestyle?
This is by no means a comprehensive list. There are thousands of additional changes you can make to live a greener lifestyle! The key is taking that first step to initiate change.
I would love to hear from you to hear what steps you will take to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
Or maybe you already are living a greener life and have some tips to share!
Either way, let me know!
Cheers,
Kate
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