Every day we have the opportunity to make our lives a little less wasteful and a little more sustainable. You can bring a reusable mug to the coffee shop with you in the morning, or you can commit to reducing your consumption, in your closet or in your pantry. Little changes add up!
Pick a change or two (or twelve!) off this list and start making more “eco-wise choices” in this new year. Nine times out of ten, they will also be the most frugal option! I for one will be picking up lonely bananas whenever I see them, cutting down on spontaneous shopping, and air drying all our laundry at home.
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51 Sustainable Changes to Implement
- Make your morning coffee with a French press or reusable filter (read how to have a zero waste coffee routine here)
- Swap your lightbulbs to LEDs or CFLs
- Wash your laundry with cold water and don’t overfill
- Use a reusable water bottle at the gym and swear off plastic water bottles for good
- Purchase a few air-purifying houseplants for your common area
- Eat less meat (or none at all)
- Buy secondhand clothing instead of new and have a tailor perfect what you find
- Commute by bike if you’re able
- Learn to compost
- Switch to rechargeable batteries and dispose of old batteries properly
- Pick up funny-looking produce at the grocery store
- Only run a full dishwasher or load of laundry
- Take a walk every day
- Switch from disposable razors to a chic, reusable safety razor
- Cut junk mail out of your life
- Use a wash bin to rinse clean dishes and reduce water waste
- Eat more local fruits and vegetables
- Shop in town
- Ask for a mug when staying in at a coffee shop
- Learn how to regrow your kitchen scraps
- Pack a lunch box
- Bring your own container for leftovers when eating out
- Ditch disposable sponges in favor of a compostable scrub brush
- Don’t turn on the lights for as long as possible
- Make your own laundry detergent
- Ditch environmentally damaging q-tips and buy reusable q-tips instead
- Turn outdated printed materials into scrap paper
- Install a bidet (or use eco-friendly toilet paper)
- Pick up a lonely banana in the produce aisle
- Turn off your computer at night
- Start using cloth towels in the kitchen
- Air dry your laundry using a portable drying rack and an open window
- Ask for no straw when you order out
- Gift experiences more often than you gift things
- Donate or sell unused items in good condition
- Make friends with your cobbler
- Conduct a quick energy audit of your home
- Ditch your plastic toothbrush and go bamboo instead
- Try to avoid palm oil whenever possible (here’s why)
- Vote
- Borrow for short-term needs
- Keep a pantry stocked with staples
- Collect rainwater to water your garden and houseplants
- Learn how to preserve foods by canning
- Buy a pair of slippers and keep the heat no higher than 68 during the day
- Use zero waste makeup
- Make your own all-purpose cleaning spray
- Store your food properly so it’ll last longer and cook more at home
- Carpool or take public transit whenever possible
- Buy your spices and teas in bulk
- Host a clothes swap with friends
Did you pick a few? What changes will you be making?