If you’ve ever woken up with the grand mission of making your life more environmentally friendly, only to realise you have absolutely zero idea where to start, well, you’re human.
Sometimes it’s easy to assume that the issue is so damn big that there’s no way small steps can help. But you know what they say about the little things adding up? It’s incredibly true, even with something as mammoth as the environment.
There are loads of small decisions we make each and every day that (when made with the planet in mind) do in fact have the ability to make a heap of difference. After all, a big group of people taking said small steps can build to make a big impact.
Intrigued? We would hope so! So without further ado, here are a few easy ways to lessen your environmental effect…
1: Walking to work
Driving (especially when done solo without a solid carpooling strategy) is one of the quickest ways to drum up your carbon footprint, so try switching up your ‘get to work’ strategy. If you can make your journey to the office (or wherever you’re needing to get to) by foot or bike, we definitely recommend giving it a go. Not only is it great for reducing your environmental impact, but it’ll also enhance physical fitness, get endorphins flowing before (and after) your busy day, and give you the chance to sink your teeth (okay, ears) into your favourite podcasts and playlists.
2: Timing your showers
It’s true that there’s nothing quite as soul-soothing as a long, hot shower, but lengthy stretches under scalding water certainly won’t do the environment (or your skin) any favours. So as much as we enjoy belting out shower songs and finally nailing a hypothetical comeback to an argument from decades past, it’s time to switch showers to the shorter side. Try setting a two-minute timer to keep yourself accountable. Setting a countdown on your phone will work a treat; that nails-on-a-chalkboard ringer on a loop is a sure-fire way to get you out of the water, no matter how delightful it feels. Another tap-centric tip? Turn it off while you’re brushing your teeth. It all adds up, remember?
3: Stocking your bathroom sustainably
Trust us, nobody understands better than us that ‘cutting down on beauty products’ is pretty much impossible – we need what we need, okay?! What you can do, however, is cut down the amount of plastic your products use. How? By stocking your bathroom with a brand that works to lessen your environmental impact instead of worsening it – your bathroom is a super important place to start, considering it’s the second biggest generator of household waste. Our fave example of a brand that does recycled packaging right? etchðos, a range of 94% naturally derived^ body washes and lotions that are housed in sustainable packaging made from 50% recycled milk bottle plastic; clever, right? For the record, we cannot recommend the Hydrating Body Wash and Nourishing Body Lotion ($16.50 each at etchðos) highly enough – they’re as amazing for your skin as they are for the environment.
5: Reading on a device
Okay, we know we just told you to unplug your electronics, but that’s when you’re not using them – there are still some cases where technology can prove to be a more environmentally-conscious choice than a medium’s traditional alternative. Take e-reading devices, for example – tens of millions of trees are cut down per year to produce the paper that fills our book collections – not ideal. By downloading your favourite stories on a tablet, you’ll be able to limit the amount of paper you’re using up while still being able to immerse yourself in magical alternate universes. The same goes for personal printing – by reading documents on a screen rather than on printed paper, you’re considerably lessening your paper waste. Go you!
6: Refilling your products
We already mentioned that recycled packaging is key for your bathroom beauty buys, but you can take your commitment to the planet a step further by ensuring your products are refillable – it’s equal parts simple and effective. On top of etchðos’ commitment to using recyclable materials, they also offer refill packs for both their body wash and lotion variants (available in ‘Botanical Bloom’ and ‘Summer Citrus’ scents), allowing you to re-use the same original pump bottle over and over while still stocking up on your favourite formulas (all available at etchðos). Our suggestion? Kick a subscription into gear to make sure you never run out (or rack up another body wash/lotion bottle bin collection) again.
7: Planning shopping strategically
We’re going to go ahead and assume you’ve got the whole ‘take a canvas bag with you’ trick under control by now, but it’s not the only grocery hack around. For starters, a delivery service to stock your pantry is actually a surprisingly sustainable option (not just lazy like it may sound).
You see, when one of the big grocery chains sends out a truck, it’s carrying multiple household’s weekly shops, rather than each individual family using their own car to pick theirs up. ‘Shop little and shop often’ is a great mantra to try, too, as waste often stems from ‘big shops’ where you end up going overboard and running out of opportunities/time to use every ‘bargain’ you bought.
Instead, try planning out meals, writing smaller, strategic lists and then buying with use-by dates top of mind. This way you’ll end up shopping for the few days ahead and then replenishing your stocks once they’re legitimately running low (due to being used up, not thrown out). An etchðos subscription can help here too, as it’ll both nix your temptation to impulse buy in-store and cut out a car trip back to the shops for a one-product-pickup the next time you accidentally leave lotion off your list.
^etchðos products contain 94% naturally derived ingredients, as per ISO16128.
Have you tried any of these tips? Do you have any others?
I have been really trying to shop more strategically to ensure less wastage.
Yes and with petrol so high it saves money too
You’re right JuJu47. Petrol price is a good incentive not to overuse your car.
I have been walking to the train station and catching the train to the shopping centre. So saving petrol and walking but still able to shop.
Awesome Normap -I live rural so don’t have the option of bus walk or train but would use them if I could
For number 5, borrowing library books is another option. I am an avid reader and was thinking about the ‘waste’ of paper I was buying. Also, purchasing from a salvo’s, too.
I visit the library once a week and agree this is a great way to enjoy books and I often find authors I would not normally consider if I was buying
Library borrowing is a great way to save money. I am an avid reader as well and often make use of our local library.
I belong to a bookclub and the library. Cannot remember when last I bought a book.
Yes we compost and shop only once a week -Often buy on line which gets delivered with normal mail so no extra delivery as we are rural and I try to avoid anything that is not recyclable
I used to have a shower timer but it broke and I could’nt find another one. The mobile phone timer is a good idea and something I had’nt considered.
I am naughty with showers and love a long hot shower or a hot bath -really hard for me not to do this
Some helpful suggestions.
I try to ensure Im not wasting food or other products and always recycle.
I also try and not wasting food is a big one. Always take soft plastics back to the store and recycle all l can. Also take bottles back and give the money to charity.
I sometimes walk to my shopping centre which is normally only a couple of minutes by car. That way I get my steps in too!
For people who can’t walk/ride to work like me. Park your car somewhere further away so you can still walk/ride in.
Great tips, I’m also trying to buy less overall, only replenishing things I need.
There is no way I could have a 2 minute shower. It usually takes me about 10 minutes.
Join the club -I try to save in other ways though
Maybe aim for 8 minutes instead. Every bit helps. Two minutes is a bit quick I think.
All good tips. Also, try and repair items rather than just throwing them out and buying new.
My car turns itself off at the traffic lights and i think this stops excess fumes being in the air.
So does my car. Didn’t think of it saving the environment but you’re right it does. Happy days.
Yes, most of them, except walking to work because it’s way too far.
Some great tips. I’m guilty of enjoying paper books rather than reading on my device.
I like to read a real book too -It just feels more involving
I look up to our “leaders” and take private jets to conferences that talk about restricting people’s usage of water, food, clothing, fuel, air and space. Meanwhile the “leaders” are doing everything opposite. No thank you.
I bet it is being moderated lol
It is definitely a bit hypocritical
I read books, commute to work, eat heaps, buy what suits my skin, shower until I am clean and shop what I need and want and use. Lead very healthy lifestyle.
You sound amazing Yohanna and so disciplined.
Great suggestions, trying to shop more sustainably, definitely walking more, the short showers I struggle with. A timer helps.
I use a food co-op that supplies produce from Australian farmers and most of it comes without wasteful packaging. Shorter showers get me in and out quick and I tend to use a lot less hot water too
Already doing 3. and 6. Not sure I agree with 5. I support authors. eBooks are a beast of their own.
I have reduced the amount of time spent having a shower.
Once the weather gets warmer, I would like to return to walking to the shops.
Great Article BH yes it is better to look for Body Washes and Shampoo and Conditioner bottles that can be refilled rather than throwing away in the Recycle Bin.
Refills come in bottles that you throw away too.
That’s so true
Oh I do like my real life paper reading
I love using refills, especially when the original bottles are so well made it’s a shame not to re-use them.
I do some things that reduce my carbon footprint because I want to and not because I’m being told to eat bugs or buy an EV that I can’t afford to by some hypocrite.
Yess! When I see the push of eating bugs and sneaking them into processed foods and fake “vegan” stuffs, c’mon! Enough is enough. Also it is known that EV are more costly to the environment too! And very dangerous, safety wise (look at the battery etc)
For sure, 100% agree with you. Quite the push of an agenda going on and it’s all not cracked up to what people are being led to believe
I have been ordering my groceries online for a few years now because I can’t physically get to a store.
I was shopping on Mecca last night and noticed many brands are now doing refill pods which is great plus you actually save money because the pods are cheaper.
Ooo, I should visit Mecca to check it out.
I shop once a week. I’m trying to remember re-usable produce bags
I am trying to be more sustainable so this really helped. X
2 minutes to shower, including washing your hair is impossible.
Also using public transport is a much better idea than driving but with the train strikes on all the time, it makes it so difficult.
I mostly read books from my library because I’d go broke if I bought every book I read.
I can never understand the direction to turn off the taps while brushing teeth – who turns the tap on in the first place?
I agree with all of this, but I’m never gonna give up my paper books.
I use cardboard packaging in some beauty products. I.e. No plastic.
I’m doing a few of these things but I couldn’t definitely improve in some areas.
But surely charging an e-reader from electricity made with brown coal is worse than hard copy books.
I am trying to use refills for most body wash and skin care products.
There are so many refilling options for household every day items.I love to see how company working on this.
great article. Have tried a few of these
I think it’s a good idea to be more conscious of certain habits that can effect the planet
All things we do, having been brought up to save the environment and our pocket!
Great tips! Sustainability is more important than ever right now!
I’m doing whatever I can.
I have been doing a few of these things but I still have room for improvement
Some great tips. My son does the all the recycling in our house.
Great tips!
Making lists is a good tip, losing it between shops is not so good
I can’t give up my paper books, but I’m doing everything else on this list!
I try to do as much as I can and am teaching my daughter the same
I try to do as much as I can and am teaching my daughter to do the same.
I try to incorporate this within my lifestyle alot
I’d love to try the etch & ethos products, I’ve heard good things about that brand.
I could never give up reading books, real books. I don’t want to read them on a device, I want the feel and smell of real books.