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Sustainability Ideas On A Budget
EASY SUSTAINABLE LIVING TIPS FOR CONSCIOUS PEOPLE ON A BUDGET
Sustainability does not have to be expensive, in fact, for us, it was the absolute opposite. The moment we started to put nature first, we stopped over buying, and went back to our real needs, making a world of difference.
There are so many ways to save money AND lead a greener life. Shopping second hand either online or in vintage shops, fixing and mending what we already have.. and so much more.
Sustainability for me, is taking a step back. Back to simpler products, back to less stuff, to making things ourselves, to prioritizing what truly counts.
HERE YOU WILL FIND TIPS TO SUPPORT YOU IN MAKING SIMPLE-BUT-POWERFUL SHIFTS TO SUSTAINABLE LIVING ON A BUDGET…
1. STORE ALL THE REUSABLES
Just like christmas and birthday decorations, wrapping paper can be saved from one year to the next. Keep wrappings from gifts, brown paper from delivered goods etc, and reuse them at christmas and birthdays. Less plastic coated paper and more reused goods - ethical all the way.
2. GO SECOND HAND
The average American throws away an insane amount of 70pounds of clothes per year, and 15kg for a European. Not only is it completely unnecessary, it's also extremely harmful for the planet. If you love a bit of change now and agin in your wardrobe, you could try second hand shopping. Now I'm not necessarily speaking Vintage, as you often find extravagant pieces that would make you look like a cowboy from the seventies, but online shops like @vinted in Europe, or ThredUp in the UK and US.
By shopping second hand, you reduce the carbon footprint by 73%, and give perfectly good clothes a second life with you !
3. KEEP IT HANDY
When going zero waste, you don't need to get all of the fancy reusable bottles and bags. It's actually all the opposite ! When I started lowering my waste, I simply kept jars from food I would buy and reuse them as water bottles and coffee mugs. Once you scrub away the sticker, they are just fine to use !
I like to keep an "on the go" bag with everything I could possibly need by the door or in the car, instead I find myself needing it. I pack it full of reusable bags (you don't have to buy them, a lot of clothes nowadays come in little cotton bags, or you can even just reuse some plastic and paper bags) and jars or bottles (we also kept the glass beer bottles that you can close again to use as water bottles). For food, if you don't have tupperwares type containers, you can use jars as well, or even reuse plastic ice cream or salad containers. I basically use a large jar for my lunch, a smaller one for water and coffee that I refill as I go and a little fork from our kitchen. Non of it was bought new, and it didn't cost us a thing !
LOUISE HERE !
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I'm so happy that you stumbled on our little corner of the web.
I hope this space serves you in your journey to a more mindful and sustainable life !
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4. RETURN IT TO THE GROUND
Another un-expensive option to lower your waste is to compost. By returning discarded pieces of food to the ground, you avoid trapping them in plastic bags to decompose and release harmful gaz, and turn them instead into rich plant fertilizer.
If you live in a city that does not offer a compost bin system and you don't have a garden, you can look into giving it to community gardens. They can turn it back into healthy soil for you, and you can feel at peace, knowing that your food scraps are safely tucked away with mother nature. You can freeze your compost until you are ready to go drop it off !
When I was living in Dublin, I use to cycle with my little compost bin to our community garden to through it on the incredible pile (more like a mountain really) and give some of my time to harvest veggies at the same time. Let me tell you, it felt good !
5. EASY SWITCHES
You can make easy and low waste switches for unpackaged, toxin free products that actually last longer. For example, switching from shower gel to bar soap - it lasts longer, comes free of package and actually costs less. Same goes for replacing your cleaning products with a vinegar, essential oil and water solution. It's so much cheaper than the store bought version, comes free of toxins and can be packaged in an old spray bottle. Because it is so acidic, it can dissolve soap scum, brines left by hard water, cleaning windows and mirrors, aseptise no-wax floors, cabinets and wood panelings.
We use this solution everywhere in our house and not only does it smell great, it also is incredible cost efficient and 100% natural.
6. GO BIG OR GO HOME
If you don't have any bulk store close to you (which a lot of people don't have access to yet), don't feel discouraged. A wonderful option is to buy your everyday products like rice, oats, pasta, beans etc, in really big packages. This way, you're not wasting packagings on products that you know will keep and you will definitely eat. Same goes for toilet paper ! You will actually save a lot of money doing this.
If you live in a tiny place like we do, you can always look into sharing those goods with friends and family - buying a 10kg rice bag and sharing it can be a great solution to a lack of storage room.
7. USE LESS
By using less laundry detergent or soap and cleaning products, you avoid having to go back for more too often, but also put less harmful products in the water. So - win win !
"YOU HAVE SUCCEEDED IN LIFE WHEN ALL YOU REALLY WANT IS ONLY WHAT YOU REALLY NEED"
-VERNON HOWARD
8. SAVE ENERGY
We are all a little guilty of leaving the light on because we can't be bothered to turn it off and on again, or leaving our chargers plugged in their electric socket when we are not using them. A plugged charger uses as much energy when it's in use and just hanging there, so make sure you plug it out. Saving energy allows us to save up on bills and gives our ressources a rest.
9. EAT MORE PLANTS
One thing that our wallet and planet can agree on, is that meat is expensive ! All the land, water, food and energy thrown at raising cattle is taxing for sure, and one thing we can all do to save some ressources, is eat more plant based meals. You have so much to chose from, tastes, colors, textures - so let your imagination (and google who is always there to help out) take over, by treating yourself to fresh fruits and veg meals.
10. EAT LOCAL, IN SEASON & AT HOME !
So we all know this - buying a courgette in the dead of winter is going to be a lot more expensive than waiting for it to flood our market stalls in the summer. The reason for this is that to grow a summer crop in the winter, you have to grow them in heated poly-tunnels, generally with the use of chemicals, making them less tasty, more expensive and more taxing for the world, especially when there are delicious winter vegetables to use in the colder months.
So our advice is to stay in season, as local as you can and if you really want to save money - at home. This way you are sure to be consuming ethical products that fit your values !
11. VOTE FOR YOUR BELIEVES
Our right to vote is completely free, and has the power to impact our local and national landscape. Let your voice be heard as you chose a sustainable futur for the world, and don't be discouraged - millions are right there with you !
I don't believe that sustainability is reserved for the upper class. Through this journey of low waste, I have met and talked with people around the globe, who decided to make a change in their lives and shouldering the responsibility of doing better.
Sustainability is about using less and more responsibly, something we can all do, wether we come from a low income home, are studying, are supporting a big family. We are all in this together, and you absolutely can make a difference, no matter what your paycheck says !
WE HAVE ALL THE TOOLS TODAY THAT WE NEED TO LEARN HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE - AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE DOING, YOU ARE TAKING THINGS IN YOUR OWN HANDS, AND FOR THAT, I COULD NEVER THANK YOU ENOUGH.
I'M LOUISE
Thanks for giving this a read ! I'm a writer, photographer & self proclaimed environmental warrior, excited to share solutions, ideas and recipes to bring sustainability into our lives.
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