During this crazy time of climate change, “sustainability” is a word that has captured the world’s attention. Whether people are talking about following a sustainable diet, buying from slow-fashion companies or waging a war against plastic straws, it’s encouraging to see that the world is becoming more interested in the idea of zero-waste living. While this is an honourable and much needed objective, being 100% sustainable isn’t realistic for most.
Being zero-waste and/or sustainable requires a certain level of time, money and privilege. It’s unfair of society to expect that everyone will have the resources to commit to such a lifestyle. However, it is entirely possible for every one of us to implement smaller, more maintainable changes that won’t break the bank and will still have a positive effect on our dear planet.
- Carry your water bottle with you everywhere
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This might take a bit of practice but try to carry your water bottle with you as you go about your day. Gone are the days of drinking from plastic water bottles and asking for straws. Having a reusable water bottle on hand means that you never have to worry about getting thirsty or feel guilty about having to buy a drink. Water bottles come in all shapes and sizes, so finding one that fits your personality and lifestyle should be easy!
- Not shopping vs. sustainable shopping
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This might be hard for some people to hear, but the most sustainable type of shopping is not shopping at all. A major downfall of slow-fashion is its high prices, which are often out of reach for many buyers. These prices prevent people from investing in sustainable clothing, forcing them to make purchases from fast-fashion companies. If you find yourself in this position, consider re-evaluating the items in your closet to see if you really need to buy new clothes and if you can take the “no-shopping” approach – it helps both the environment and your wallet.
- Go grocery shopping more often
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This may sound unconventional, but going grocery shopping a few times a week may be better than going once. When you go grocery shopping only once a week, you’re buying more food with the hope that it lasts the entire week. Having too many food options can be overwhelming and possibly lead to you sticking to the same three or four foods, wasting whatever you don’t use. When you buy small amounts of food multiple times throughout the week, you will always know what you have in your kitchen and will hopefully waste less food.
- Accept that you won’t be perfect
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The journey of saving our planet is not a linear process and there isn’t a magic formula that will solve all of our problems. It’s important to remember that there is no “right” way to be sustainable. Do what works best for you and always remember that a few small changes are better than doing nothing. No matter what you do to become more sustainable, you should be proud of yourself for putting in the effort. Mother Nature thanks you.