Are you as sustainable as you’d like to be?
Do you ever wonder if there are more sustainable ways to live life?
If you’re anything like me, you’ll be consistently searching for new ways to do things that help the environment in any small way. When I moved out of my parent’s home, I knew I wanted to do things a little differently, but it becomes really hard to be sustainable when you’re on a budget! Somehow the more sustainable a product is, the higher the price tag!
But there are a few things that I have picked up that will help you to become more sustainable and it will also help you in the long run!
Number One!
The very first way to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly is by switching to reusable cotton pads. If you use normal cotton pads, you’ll know that they’re really one use only products and then you have a bunch of cotton pads in the bin, and you’ll have to buy another pack that will end up in the bin too!
I was luckily gifted some reusable cotton pads for my birthday about 3 years ago and I have been using the exact same ones this entire time and they still look and do the job perfectly!
~Here is a link to a well priced Cotton Pad set that comes with a net you can wash your cotton pads in as well as a container to keep the clean ones in! (I have this exact same one)~
The pros for using reusable face pads are:
- Easy to clean – just put them in a washable bag and throw them in with your usual washing.
- Easy to use – all you need to do is add some micellar water (or whatever cleanser you use) and you’re ready to use it!
- Cost effective – I have never bought cotton pads again!
Number Two!
The second way to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly is to switch your plastic water bottle to a glass water bottle!
I only like to drink cold water and I used to religiously keep plastic water bottles in the fridge until I realised that I was ingesting a crazy amount of plastic, and the plastic wouldn’t keep my water chilled. I ended up going to the store and I bought a litre glass bottle with a lid and now that’s all I drink from!
Using a glass water bottle pros:
- Cost effective – they cost about £2 and it’s lasted me years
- Easy to clean – just use your usual dish soap and soak your bottle in soapy boiling water
- Better for keeping cold water cold!
- No more microplastics!
Number 3!
The third way to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly is to make your own washing detergent for washing your clothes. My husband and I have really sensitive skin and I also found that laundry detergent was so expensive! So I got a book about being more sustainable in your everyday life and there was a chapter on how to make your own detergent so that’s what I did! And it’s saved us so much money! Not to mention our skin has no more irritants!
The way to make the detergent is:
-Pure liquid soap – one capful
-Washing soda – 15ml (tablespoon)
You just need to put your clothes in the washing machine and pour the soap capful into the drum and put the washing soda in the detergent draw. And that’s it!
~Here are some links to the pure liquid soap and washing soda if you want to try it out!~
Pros:
- Cheaper than Laundry Detergent
- Lasts way longer!
- Doesn’t irritate skin – especially good for eczema etc
- Cleans clothes just as well as detergent!
Number Four!
Another simple way to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly is to use reusable bags for grocery shopping. I know a lot of people already do this, but my parent’s never did and the amount of plastic bags we had was insane. And of course the only thing they could do with them was bin them. So to avoid as much plastic coming into your home as possible, use reusable shopping bags!
Pros:
- Cost effective – you only buy it once and it should last years!
- They’re way sturdier than flimsy plastic bags – no breakages
- They’re really cute usually as well!
- Less plastic coming into your home!
Number Five!
The last way to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly is to stop buying your clothes “new” from department stores. There are already more than enough clothes for everyone in circulation and it will cost you a fraction of the price! Not to mention the quality will be much better and your clothes will last you longer!
If you hate the idea of wearing “used” clothes, there are loads of new clothes that are also in thrift stores, online in vintage resellers, vintage stores etc. there are so many places to find amazing clothes and you’ll find way more unique clothes!
Pros:
- Way cheaper than in retail stores even for designer brands!
- Better quality items that will last you longer!
- You can help to keep clothes in circulation instead of just ending up in a landfill
- You’ll find unique clothes that no one else has!
