I’ve come to terms with the fact I’m never going to be perfect when it comes to my impact on the environment but that doesn’t mean I’m not going take a solid crack at being more chill towards planet Earth. I was already writing this post when I realised it perfectly coincided with World Environment Day, so what better way to celebrate that to run you through some of the things I’m doing to be less of an a-hole to the Earth.
1. Reusable Coffee Cups
This is a pretty obvious one and is kinda the bare minimum when it comes to giving a shit about piling up landfill with stuff we could have avoided using in the first place. I like to keep one in the office and one at home and the result? I reckon I’ve used less than 5 single-use coffee cups this year. Not perfect but, hey, it’s a huge improvement! I love my frank green but there are so many awesome companies out there that you’re sure to find the right cup for you.
2. Buying Less
A few years ago I made the call to buy high quality and less often, especially when it comes to things like shoes, bags and jewellery. By doing this, I’m not only cutting down clutter in my home but I’ve always felt a little spesh with a higher quality item (and btw, higher quality doesn’t always mean hella pricey!)
3. Zilch Ziplocs
I’m totally guilty of having a bunch of little plastic ziploc bags in my kitchen because quite frankly they’re handy af. Not anymore, thanks to one of the coolest products I’ve come across when it comes to reducing waste. I’ve got a total of 4 stasherbags now and they’re so perfect for toting around snacks, leftovers and other food but I’ve also been loving them for just keeping myself organised e.g. liquids for travel. It can be kinda hard and kinda pricey to get them in Australia, but I buy mine from iHerb (use code QPH197 for 10% off and I get a little bit of credit too!)
4. Farewell Face Wipes
Face wipes used to be my ride or die and while they’re a cost and time effective way of removing make up, they’re not a friend of Mother Nature! I’ve been using Face Halo for a while now and I’ve gotta tell you, I’m not going back! They’re fantastic at removing my makeup, easy to clean (I just use soap) and each one replaces wipes.
5. Sorting Soft Plastics
You hopefully already know that you can’t recycle most soft plastics in your reg recycling bin but did you know you can drop ‘em off at most grocery stores? Sure, ideally we wouldn’t be using this stuff at all but when it’s unavoidable, knowing I can drop this stuff off in a RedCycle bin makes me feel a little bit better about it.
6. Portable Hydration*
I genuinely think I’ve used a total of one single-use water bottle this year and that’s because I’ve somehow got myself into the habit of carrying my memobottle with me whenever I know I’ll need it. The A5 size is small enough to chuck in most bags and isn’t heavy so you don’t really notice it, plus because it’s flat it doesn’t add much bulk.
7. Bag It Up
By now, we all now that using single-use plastic bags is a huge environmental no-no but if you’re like me, you always remember the bags when it’s grocery day however when it comes to unexpected purchases, you’re left with a delicate balancing-act to get stuff back home. I picked up a BAGGU bag while I was in Tokyo and have been loving how light and compact it is to keep in my bag. There are quite a few Australian stockists but the most accessible is David Jones.
8. Bye Bye Band-Aids*
Sometimes the most exciting eco-friendly products are ones solving problems you hadn’t even thought about. That’s exactly what PATCH Strips are! They’re made of sustainable and recycled materials (hello, bamboo!), vegan and cruelty free, plus they come in a range of different patches to suit your ailment such as coconut oil for abrasions and grazes, aloe vera for burns and blisters and activated charcoal for bites and splinters. CUTE!
9. I Second That!
One major thing we can all do to be a pal to Mother Naytch is create less of a demand for new stuff by buying second-hand. Not only is buying pre-loved stuff great for the environment but you’ll often end up with something way more unique, especially when it comes to furniture, homewares and fashion. I bought almost all of the furniture in my house second-hand and I love the fact hardly anybody has the same stuff that I do.
10. Bulk Up
When you buy in bulk, there’s a good chance you’re shopping more sustainably, especially when you’re bringing your own containers and bags and filling up at bulk bins. Sometimes it makes financial sense to shop in bulk, sometimes it doesn’t, so do what you’re able to and you’ll be a-OK!
Have you got any awesome eco-friendly tips? Share them in the comments below!
* This product was sent to me to for review
