Let’s Talk Sustainability

Okay sustainability is a word you've probably heard but what is it? Sustainable living and being eco-conscious means reducing the amount of earths resources that we use to help protect it.

Being a lover of everything outdoors and witnessing the impact I have on the earth as well as others around me, I was recently faced with looking at the ways I limit my footprint and was inspired to not only share some ways in which I have implemented sustainable living but also want to hear your eco-friendly approaches and solutions for every day uses.

My hope is that you recognize a lot of these tips and are already executing, or are in the process, of implementing them into your life. And if not, that these simple changes inspire you to see what you can do to eliminate products in your every day routines.

1) Life happens, coffee helps.

Like most people who are attempting to survive adulthood, I have a love for that steaming cup of Java to start my day. But with many of us having less and less time to get ourselves out the door in the morning, the instant coffee makers, Keurig’s, Tassimos, etc have gotten incredibly popular. Even compostable pods come in packaging that can’t be recycled, or are improperly recycled, utilize resources to manufacture and unfortunately aren’t always properly disposed of and end up in land fills. Consider reusable coffee pods (like the ones here: https://www.keurig.ca/Accessories/My-K-Cup®-Universal-Reusable-Coffee-Filter/p/my-k-cup-universal-fi) if filled the night before, don’t add any time to your morning routine but over time will make a significant impact on what you are contributing to landfills. This way you also get the opportunity to purchase fair trade coffee or support local roasters! If you still use a coffee filtered machine, the same applies for coffee filters, the crêped paper filters are made using pulps from many trees including hardwood and softwood varieties. You can find reusable coffee filters on Etsy like this one (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1018592279/reusable-cotton-coffee-filters-set-of-7?gpla=1&gao=1&gbra) and support small businesses and the earth at the same time.

2) But first …. Makeup ;)

This one is for my makeup loving humans, the lipstick wearers, full facers, mascara and good to go-ers. At the end of the day I think we can all agree that taking off any sort of makeup is one of the best feelings. Unless you’re my mother and just rub your eyes until your mascara doesn’t stand a chance, you more than likely use a type of makeup wipe to remove the stuff from your face. Not only are highly marketed makeup wipes full of chemicals, including but not limited to, artificial scents that our skin doesn’t appreciate but they also come in packaging that can’t be recycled and ends up being thrown out right along with the wipe. The good news is you can purchase reusable makeup wipes like the ones I use here (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/625635642/reusable-face-wipes-zero-waste-makeup?gpla=1&gao=1&gbraid=) and instead of purchasing remover in plastic bottles, try making your own! A combination of witch hazel and water applied to your reusable wipe will do the job and your skin (and the earth) will thank you. When all your pads are used, toss them in the wash and they’re good to go!

3) Happiness is a freshly cleaned house.

What happiness is not, is chemical cleaning products that get washed down our drains, inhaled into our bodies when we use them and come in (you guessed it) plastic containers. A quick google search of your favourite chemical based cleaner will give you a list of what it contains and how those ingredients could potentially harm you and the environment especially after long term use. A lot of times we use heavy cleaners in small spaces like bathrooms or with windows closed where we have no option except to breathe in the excess chemicals left hanging in the air. When you run out of your cleaner in the next few weeks, save a spray bottle or two, rinse thoroughly and try mixing water, vinegar and your favourite essential oils for a tough on dirt/grime cleaner that isn’t loaded with chemicals that are going to be washed down the drain and reuses your bottles to lessen the environmental footprint even more.

4) Having an empty laundry basket is the best 5 seconds of the week.

(What I don’t love is what comes after and that’s the folding and putting away of said laundry.) Here is an overlooked, simple change you can make every time you put a load through the washer. Hear me out, wash on cold. Not only will your clothes thank you (and last longer, which leads to the ripple effect of less purchasing) but so will the environment. Hot water uses a lot of energy and when you multiply that by the loads you do a week, it easily adds up over a life time. When it’s time to toss your clothes into the drier, who doesn’t love that fresh laundry scent? But drier sheets end up with the rest of our waste in landfills and can easily be substituted. Check your favourite local eco store or on Etsy for wool drier balls like these (https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/912055534/organic-zero-waste-dryer-ball-gift?gpla=1&gao=1&gbraid=0AA). Sprinkle your favourite essential oils on the balls and toss in to tumble with your clothes while they dry and voila! Naturally scented, eco friendly and longer lasting clean wardrobe.

What are some of your favourite, eco-friendly substitutions or things you’ve been wanting to try? Head over to my insta post and share your favourite changes you’ve implemented in your life or send them to me in my contact form so I can share them with others and we can all be motivated to make a change to live a more sustainable life.