Realistic Ways to Live More Eco-Friendly (Little-Zero Waste)
By: Embracing Her Den
Realistic and simple eco-friendly swaps from one mom to another!
I began my journey over a year ago. It sounds silly but I was inspired by the show Down to Earth with Zac Efron on Netflix. Zac Efron and food expert Darin Olien travel the world in search of the secrets to good health and a higher level of eco-consciousness. It is really entertaining and interesting. I loved the scientific facts and experiences from real life people who live healthy, eco-conscious lifestyles. I started researching ways to live sustainably. It ended up being overwhelming because I tried implementing several things at once (my bad). I want to share a realistic way that you can start your eco-friendly journey.
What's the difference between eco-friendly and sustainability?
Eco-friendly and sustainability are used interchangeably. According to EcoCart
Eco-friendly is all about making choices that are kinder to the environment right now compared to their conventional or traditional counterparts. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean they are sustainable in the long run. Environmentally friendly initiatives take small, thoughtful steps to reduce harm but may not quite be the entire solution.
Sustainability is a broader concept that includes eco-friendly initiatives but goes beyond them—it’s also about finding a balance between our social and economic needs and the environment’s ability to support us in the long run. And unlike environmentally friendly practices, sustainable initiatives aim not just to reduce harm but also to preserve resources and guarantee the planet’s long-term health.
EcoCart goes into more detail, but this is a break down of the two.
Ways I've began implementing eco-friendly practices in my home:
To start, take ONE thing you would like to do and start there. Try it for a month and then add in another eco-friendly swap IF YOU WANT.
Reusable gallon and sandwich bags-I actually 100% committed to using gallon and sandwich bags. I have not bought any myself in probably a year or more. I thought having to wash the reusable bags was going to be more of a chore than it actually turned out to be.
Reusable grocery bags-I do majority of my shopping at Aldi and I use their bags. I only shop at other stores if I can't find something at Aldi. Honestly, if I go to another grocery store I forget my bag (oops), but it's ingrained in me to grab it every time I go to Aldi. See, I'm not perfect!
Homemade cleaning supplies-One example, it is much cheaper in the long run to buy white distilled vinegar and mix with water to create an cleaner. Do your research because you cannot use it on certain surfaces such as natural stones. I use a vinegar, water, and essential oil mix. Also, I mix my own hand soap, which I'm still experimenting with. I do miss my Bath & Body Works scents! It is cheaper to make your own and you can use specific ingredients that are gentle on your skin if you have allergies and such.
Water bottles and coffee thermos-Both of these are durable and you create less waste with them being reusable. Also, it is easier to manage watching water and/or coffee intake.
Garden-This is still trial and error for me but I love gardening. I started experimenting with growing from seeds indoors. It saves money and give a sense of satisfaction from being able to produce your own food.
Glass containers-I actually received glass containers because I put them on my wedding registry. We still have them! We do still use some plastic because we repurpose what other people give us instead of throwing it away. Saving more plastic from going in the trash, am I right? Glass containers are an easy swap and they're great because they are microwavable.
I’m by no means perfect and don’t follow everything 100%, but I do most things and if I can help make the Earth a little better I will! Hope this helps with your journey!
Comentários