Living a more eco-conscious lifestyle doesn’t have to be daunting or difficult. Here are 7 ways to lead a more sustainable lifestyle that’s simple to make.
We only have one planet and it’s important to take care of it, now more than ever. But I totally get it. When you’re first starting out, it can be a bit overwhelming. While I am no expert and still making changes at my home, I have found some amazing products and online resources that have helped me.
Now, don’t feel like you have to switch to EVERYTHING right away. Take your time and start with one for two items in your house. Little changes lead to bigger outcomes. Not only will you be doing your part in protecting and preserving our planet, but you’ll also be doing your health a favor. What I mean by that is…the less plastic in your house, the better your health.
Plastic contains an ingredient called BPA. I’m sure most of you have heard of that and have even seen many plastic items products state “BPA Free.” BPA (Bisephenol A), is a common ingredient in most plastics and packaging. It can leach from the plastic into a product or onto the skin. It’s been known to have a negative brain, behavior, and reproductive development effects. In short…the less plastic in your life the better it is for your health.
7 Ways to Lead a More Sustainable Lifestyle
- Ditch Plastic Wrap Have leftovers you need to store in the fridge? Don’t reach for your foil/plastic wrap. Not only will you not be leaching toxins into your foods from using regular plastic wrap or foil, but you’ll also be contributing to less waste. A few of my favorite reusable plastic wraps are:
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- Beeswax Wrap. I like this because the warmth from your hands makes the wraps sticky, helping it stick to bowls and plates.
- Reusable Bowl Covers. These come in a set of three in different sizes and I use these more than the beeswax wraps. Love them.
- Reusable Containers. I love glass containers for storing leftovers as well as these Xtrema Cookware collapsible medical-grade silicone containers.
2. Reusable Water Bottles Did you know that over one million plastic water bottles are sold every minute around the world? According to National Geographic, in the U.S. alone, only 30% of these bottles are recycled.
There is so much plastic that ends up in our oceans and can be harmful to marine animals as well, so switching to reusable water bottles would be a great option! Plus, when you stop buying packs of plastic water bottles, you will save so much money in the long run.
We finally invested in a Berkey Filter a few years ago and refill our reusable water bottles whenever we leave the house. We all have the Hydroflask Adult and Hydroflask Kids, and love them. Plus, it helps ensure we’re all drinking enough water each day.
3. Ditch the Plastic Sandwich Bags There are so many options that are available which makes things easier. We personally use paper sandwich bags, beeswax sandwich wraps, or Stasher Bags. Stasher bags are LIFE by the way. We have all shapes and sizes and LOVE them.
4. Reusable Cotton Rounds Not only will you be saving money by purchasing reusable cotton rounds but you’d also be making such a sustainable choice. I love these because it comes with a little netted bag to throw the used ones in which makes washing them so much easier. THIS One, This One, and THIS One are all great sustainable and made with bamboo options.
5. Swap Your Cleaning Products Branch Basic is my ride or die. If you were to make any BIG purchases and swaps from this guide, it would be household cleaning products. Conventional brands found at most stores aren’t as clean and safe to use as you think. They’re so bad for your health and many believe they can lead to so many endocrine disruptors, allergies, and even cancer. Branch Basics is a brand that cleans EVERYTHING from toilets to dishes, laundry, and wiping down your counters. You buy the whole set (which comes in glass bottles) and all you do is fill up the bottles with a little of the concentrate and filtered water.
6. Reusable Straws Over the past couple of years, there has been an amazing shift with the use of plastic straws. In fact, many restaurants have banned them. If you don’t own one yet, you should because they’re amazing. We have silicone, glass, and stainless steel straws. I personally love and use glass ones all the time.
7. Swap Your Cookware Say it isn’t so, I know! I’ll admit when I first started to hear about the topic of cookware and how most brands on the market are made with harmful chemicals, I was blown away. Choosing the right pots and pans to cook with is just as important as the healthy food we eat. Here’s what I recommend and use:
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- Xtrema Cookware Xtrema Cookware is made with 100% ceramic and is one of the safest options on the market. Completely all-natural, non-toxic, inorganic, and nonreactive containing no PFOA, PTFE, polymers, coatings, and more. You won’t have to worry one bit about chemicals, metal, or lead leaching into your food.
- Cast-Iron Skillet. I literally use a cast-iron skillet to cook almost everything. This one is a good bang for your buck.
To read more about Non-Toxic Cookware and why you should make the switch, click here!
Now, I know there are so many other items you can swap but for the sake of keeping this article from becoming a novel (I can be pretty chatty), these are my top 7 ways to lead a more sustainable lifestyle.
