Mindfulness and sustainable living go hand-in-hand. When you practice mindfulness, you stop to think about purchases and habits before you do them.
You purposefully make decisions instead of mindlessly consuming whatever is available.
Why does sustainability matter?
Sustainability increases the value of what you invite into your life. Everyday items mean more to you because you intentionally choose what’s in your life. Each item is carefully selected, and you better understand the impact you’re making in the world.
You use your consumer purchasing power for the greater good. Your money tells companies what’s important to you. The more you buy sustainable options, the more it will force companies to continue (or to start) investing efforts into cleaner, eco-friendly alternatives.
Sustainability makes your money work smarter. You can save money in the long run by purchasing items that have longevity and are reusable.
In this post, you’ll find five essential ways you can start to live more mindfully and sustainably today.
Related post: 20 Easy Ways to Help Save the Environment
Disclosure: Lifestyle by Remi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Please read full disclosure here.
Sustainable Living Tips
Household Supplies. Swap out the plastic.
A recent report by The Pew Charitable Trusts and SYSTEMIQ found that ocean-bound plastic is set to triple by 2040 unless radical action is taken.
Thankfully, more and more companies are starting to roll out refillable options for their products and push out more sustainable recycled product packaging.
Next time you go to the store, think before you pick up your usual plastic product. Take a minute to see what other options are available to you.
Another alternative can be to buy reusable spray bottles for household cleaners or pump bottles for soaps, lotions, and shampoo/conditioner.
Or, there are companies like Blueland where you buy the reusable bottles once, and then they send you plastic-free refills for $2 (or less) per refill.
Fashion. Quality over quantity.
Avoid fast fashion and opt for timeless, well-made clothing that will last longer.
Did you know that 3 out of 5 fast fashion garments end up in the landfill within a year of purchase? And that the apparel industry’s climate impact is expected to increase by 49% by 2030?
So, before your next shopping trip, go through your current closet and take inventory of the clothes you do have. Declutter a little. Maybe sell or donate.
Then take your time researching your options.
Ask yourself questions like:
- How many times will I likely wear this piece?
- Is it made in a way that’s beneficial to the planet?
- What materials is it made of?
- Is it ethically produced?
Slow down your shopping habit. Taking your time will likely reduce the clutter in your home and give you a deeper appreciation for the items you do end up purchasing.
Food. Only buy what you need.
Many of us tend to buy too much food that ends up in the landfill.
According to the EPA, reducing food waste in the home:
- Saves money from buying less food.
- Reduces methane emissions from landfills and lowers your carbon footprint.
- Conserves energy and resources, preventing pollution involved in the growing, manufacturing, transporting, and selling of food.
- Supports your community by providing donated untouched food that would have otherwise gone to waste.
To avoid over-buying, plan out your food trips ahead of time so that you only buy what you need.
Review what you already have in your fridge and get creative with your meals.
Lastly, learn how to store food properly to last longer (or freeze food before it expires).
Paper goods. Swap with biodegradable options.
Buy biodegradable paper goods like toilet paper, paper towels, and tissue.
What’s the difference between biodegradable and regular paper goods?
Technically, both options are biodegradable. But biodegradable paper goods are made from recycled resources.
Additionally, paper mills are the third most significant air and water polluter in the US.
Next time you need a paper product, check out what biodegradable options there are for your frequently used paper products.
Packaging. Use biodegradable and recyclable materials.
Use sustainable packaging materials when you need to ship items.
Many companies are now offering sustainable solutions for packaging materials (example: Eco Enclose).
Try to find ways to make the switch whenever possible so that you can be part of the solution to reducing trash in the world.
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A sustainable lifestyle doesn’t happen overnight. It takes practice and consistent mindfulness.
To get started, challenge yourself to replace one single-use plastic item in your household with a more sustainable option.
For example, I recently switched my plastic tubed toothpaste to Bite toothpaste bits which comes in a plastic bottle and is made from clean ingredients.
Let me know in the comments down below what you plan to swap out this month.
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Disclosure: Lifestyle by Remi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Please read full disclosure here.
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