Being environmentally conscious can look tricky and time-consuming. But there are some really simple steps we can take without going out of our way or completely changing our lifestyle. Here are some of our best tips to introduce environmentally-conscious practices to your life!
Get a few recycling bins
Your regular trashcan will often hold some recyclable items that have no place in a common landfill. Get a couple more bins, tag them according to your city’s recycling guidelines (cans, plastic bags, paper, etc.), and make it a habit to throw your trash in the correct one. This way, recycling will be a lot less of a hassle!
Make your own vegetable stock
Composting doesn’t really work for everyone. Plus, there isn’t much you can do with it if you don’t grow any plants. But this doesn’t have to mean that your food scraps are useless! Next time you peel some vegetables or cut up some salad, toss the scraps into a saucepan or another small container and put it in the freezer. When you have enough scraps (about 3-4 cups worth), cover it with water, and let it simmer for 45 minutes. Then, strain the scraps out of the stock and pat yourself on the back for being a mature, responsible adult.
Bid bottled water adieu!
Instead of buying bottled water, get a reusable one. A reusable bottle will be a bit more pricy than a plastic one, but it will save you money in the long run because you can keep using it over and over, ultimately saving you up to 1,800 bottles per year!
Visit the farmers’ market
Getting your produce from local farmers helps only has upsides: you end up with fresh fruits and vegetables that didn’t need to be shipped from abroad and you support the local community. Everybody wins!
Look for thrift stores and clothing swap events
Fast fashion and new trends may be tempting, but vintage is the real deal! Going to thrift stores will make your closet look much more unique. And when you feel like getting rid of some of your clothes, give them to thrift stores or set up a clothing swap party with some friends. That way, you know your pre-loved clothes will end up in good hands!