by Jessica Podkalicki
With every passing year, every plastic bottle we purchase, every fast fashion piece of clothing we wear once and throw away, the environment suffers. Years and years of (increasing!) overconsumption have left the Earth in bad shape (learn more about overconsumption here). The purchase of unnecessary items contributes to excessive waste and resource depletion, which in turn contributes to excessive and harmful gas emissions and depletes land area (since waste and manufacturing occupy that space). We see these impacts happening around us. From fires to hurricanes to droughts, natural disasters are also increasing in their frequency. But there is hope.
There are things that we can do to increase the Earth’s lifespace–even if it is just a little bit. Sustainability is not just a buzzword. You may see phrases like “no buy years,” “zero waste,” or even influencers making elaborate meals from scratch (like really from scratch!) on social media. But living sustainably doesn’t have to be this extreme to make a difference.
I’d never urge or advocate for making Poptarts from scratch (who has that kind of time??), there are other small, incremental changes that we can make in the name of sustainability. I believe the first step is to learn more.
There are just so many blanks to fill in. So, let’s talk about it.
You may be asking: What is sustainability, exactly? Why should I do certain things? Can something as small as unplugging my appliances do that much? Sustainability is not a movement. It is something that we can slowly build into our lives. And you know what? These practices can actually save you a lot of money.
Sustainability simply urges us to be more mindful about our purchases and how we consume the things around us. It’s about limiting what we take and use from the surrounding world. The goal is to avoid overconsumption or constantly buying things that we may not need just to buy them. (I try to save holiday decorations every year instead of buying new lights or hanging decorations.).
This can be hard! I am not perfect. I buy the occasional Vitamin Water with its disposable plastic bottle. I leave a light on for my cat when I leave the house. I certainly don’t make my own clothes or make-up. Constant anxiety about limiting your waste isn’t healthy either. In my opinion, the key is to really think about what you are buying (whether you need a specific thing or not), where the product is coming from (if you are ordering online), maybe add: what it’s made of or how it’s produced, and of course having a plan in case you no longer need the item or it doesn’t fit. This blog has some other really great things to consider for future purchases.
Again! There are always ways to inch towards spending less money and using the resources around you. From starting a garden to listening to downloaded playlists over constant streaming, to even making lotions and candles, and switching to LED bulbs when your incandescent ones die.
If saving money isn’t a motivator enough, sustainable living practices can improve health outcomes, both mental and physical.
10 things to do to be more sustainable:
Build a garden, even a small herb garden, on your windowsill.
Buy produce that is in season. You can also shop by month, but going by season is a little easier to remember. Here is a great resource.
Thrift or use various social media marketplaces (Facebook, Craigslist, etc.), or mend things you already have. Even swap items among your friends, family, and acquaintances.
Use and carry reusable bottles and travel mugs.
Buy concentrated versions of products, soaps, and other cleaning products. Or even make your own cleaning products with white vinegar.
Use downloaded playlists or even CDs to listen to music and DVDs to watch TV when you can.
Bring your tote bag or another reusable bag with you when you go shopping! And try to go to local stores. Limit online shopping whenever you can.
Opt for natural light over lamps and other lighting, and replace incandescent bulbs with LEDs when they die. Also, try to turn off any electronics that you aren’t using. Better yet, unplug them. Power strips can make this easier. Here is some more info on power strips.
Travel via commuter options like bus or train if you can.
If you are going to buy new things, buy quality things that are meant to last.
Just a few changes here and there have helped me live more sustainably. I hope these tips help you as well!