Eco-Friendly Living: Live More Sustainably with These 3 Steps
Beginning the journey toward sustainable living can be overwhelming at first. When I learned about the importance of zero-waste living and reducing my use of plastics, I remember asking myself: how can my actions make a difference when there is so much change that needs to happen? As daunting as it can be, there are plenty of small steps we can take toward making smarter, healthier choices for our planet.
The aim is not to be perfect, but to make a conscious effort in minimizing our ecological footprint. And, if you are wondering how to begin, attempting any of these suggestions is a step in the right direction. To ease the process (and make it a bit less stressful for yourself), try implementing one suggestion a week; this gives you seven days to test out each practice and ease it into your daily routine.
Limit your use of plastics
While the Government of Canada is improving on their single-use plastic policies, there is still an overwhelming amount of plastic being produced, used, and sorted into recycling, only to end up in the landfill.
Tip: Start small. Removing plastics is a big habit to implement, partly because plastics are everywhere. Read the list below and pick one bullet point that sounds most feasible for you. Start with that, and go from there. You’ve got this!
What you can do:
Buy reusable bags for your groceries and vegetables. Even though Vancouver has made the switch to paper bags in grocery stores, we can’t – as consumers – guarantee that it will make it to the recycling depot at the end of its life cycle, as it should.
Switch to reusable to-go cutlery. Many come with a bag and cleaner so you can tuck it in once you are done with it. I try to keep it in my bag whenever I leave the house. The one that I use (and love) can be found here.
Get a travel coffee cup! It may come as a shock (as it did to me!), but coffee cups are not recyclable. Many have a thin layer of plastic inside the layers of paper that makes them non-recyclable. There are many brands that make reusable coffee cups; I’ve used my KeepCup for years and it’s still in excellent condition.
Opt for food brands at grocery stores that don’t package their items in plastic. And, when possible, shop in bulk. You can reuse glass jars from pasta sauces, nut butter, and other food items to store bulk food in your pantry. Some zero-waste grocery stores in Vancouver include Nada, The Soap Dispensary, and Jarr.
Ditch plastic water bottles and use reusable bottles instead. Did you know it takes more water to manufacture one empty plastic bottle than it does to fill it?
Invest in beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap. They will save you money in the long run and last anywhere from six months to a year. When they reach the end of their lifecycle, you can throw them in your compost. Salt Spring Island Beeswax Wraps is a Canadian seller and makes a great selection of wraps.
Try non-toxic cleaning products
Cleaning products can enter our oceans and freshwater sources, contaminating our water and harming wildlife. If you wonder whether environmentally-friendly cleaning products are as effective as standard household cleaners, the answer is yes! You don’t need harsh chemicals to get a thorough clean.
Tip: Keep the cleaning-product bottles you have in your cupboard that can be refilled and bring them to your local refill shop, or make your own DIY cleaners.
What you can do:
Look for cleaning products that are biodegradable and phosphate-free. Sapadilla is a soap company that specializes in earth-friendly, plant-based cleaning products. Shop their products online or use their store locator on their website for a location nearest you.
Shop at a local refill store. Vancouver’s Nada grocery sells all-purpose cleaners and they upcycle containers too. If you live in the East Vancouver area, The Soap Dispensary has environmentally friendly cleaners and sustainably-made household products.
Make your own. Purchasing refillable bottles and making your own cleaning products helps to cut plastic bottles from the equation. You can find a list of DIY cleaners here.
Compost your food scraps
Did you know that food waste produces methane when dumped in a landfill? On the other hand, correctly composting food scraps helps boost soil quality, lessens the need for chemical fertilizers, reduces greenhouse gases, and can even help produce higher crop yields. Not to mention it’ll help your garbage cans from smelling!
Tip: Put your compost in your freezer. It’ll eliminate the odour and reduce visits from those pesky fruit flies. Just let it sit to thaw for a few minutes before taking it out to your household or apartment compost bin.
What you can do:
Buy a compost container for your kitchen. It doesn’t have to be designated for compost – especially if you’ll be putting it in your freezer – but make sure it has a handle and is big enough that you won’t constantly be emptying it. If you’d rather keep it under the sink, make sure to look for one that has a charcoal filter to reduce any odours.
Get compostable bags, as it is an easy and mess-free way of emptying your compost – simply tie the bag and go. Make sure to use compostable bags, like these, as non-organics can contaminate compost and end up in landfills. In 2015 alone, Ontario sent 2.3 million tonnes of organic waste to the dump.
Invest in your own composter. By using a composter in your home, you are ensuring your food scraps are properly composted, plus it will generate natural fertilizer for your plants. Whether you live in an apartment or want it for your yard, Wormbox – a Montreal-based company – has composters that work in all spaces. They have one specifically made for indoor spaces here.
Starting a new habit takes time and dedication. Don’t be afraid to set reminders for yourself by writing sticky notes on the fridge or next to the bathroom mirror. The most important aspect of this process is that you are seeking the next step toward being more sustainable, and that’s often the most challenging step!
Happy reusing!
Please note: I am not sponsored by any of the products listed in this blog post.
