Small and Free Ways to be Sustainable

Happy Earth Day! I am far from perfectly sustainable. I eat meat, I treat myself to a Smartwater every now and then, and I often forget my reusable cup when going to Starbucks. Despite all of that, I do try my best to be Green. I originally got into sustainability for the economic reasons, I liked the ten cent discount for using my own cup, or not having to buy things like mini garbage bags. Sustainable living gets a reputation for being expensive, not everyone can buy bamboo toilet paper at Whole Foods or a $200 Reformation dress, but that doesn't mean you cannot live a little more planet-friendly. A lot of people making small changes will do a lot more than a few people making huge changes.

1. Reuse All Plastic Bags

I know most people already use single use plastic grocery bags for smaller trashcans, but why stop there? Give that plastic bread bag a longer life too!

2. Use Trash Bags Twice

If you're throwing away generally clean things, why not combine cans and keep that bag going a little longer?

3. Resell Used Items

It's 2020, the world of reselling is so easily accessible! There are countless apps allowing for in person or shipment selling and swapping! Some faves are Poshmark, Mercari, and Letgo.

4. Reuse Packing Materials

So you sold an old dress on Poshmark and don't know how to ship it? You just ordered from Madewell, right? Reuse the box and plastic sleeves to send your order off! If you want to make it extra fun, I saved all of the Christmas tissue papers that would just go in the trash and use them to make the packages cute!

5. Shop Used

I'm still not 100% keen on wearing used clothing. I'm a germaphobe at heart. But I do love antique furniture and used books! I've gotten unique pieces like a colorful desk I would never be able to replicate and used books that have contained cards that were given to previous owners and stamps from European bookshops. It makes my connection to these pieces even more special! Plus most used books are under $2 and used furniture can be super cheap or even free!

6. Shop Your Closet, Medicine Cabinet and Fridge

I try my best to not buy before I use up what I have. Otherwise I end up with 6 shampoos, 7 eyeliners, 3 blocks of cheese, and 17 striped t-shirts. You get more out of what you buy and may even find your items have multiple uses!

7. Shop With Your Views

I've always been very aware that hate watching and commenting is still engagement. I've never seen the music video for Friday by Rebecca Black just because I could not give her my view. After a few months spent watching every single "I spent $900 on some random cheap site" videos, I've completely cleared them from my life. Not only are these videos fiscally irresponsible, the environmental impact stresses me out. Those $5 clothes are hard to return and will most likely land up in a landfill sooner rather than later. By not giving creators, celebrities, or brands who have a negative environmental impact the time of day can be just as good as supporting those who do good!

Be kind to yourself and others, we're all in this together. Demand environmental change from businesses and lawmaker, and don't forget your reusable grocery bag!