As I get older, I am starting to truly understand the importance of living a more sustainable life. This Earth is so beautiful and as it’s inhabitants, we have the responsibility of keeping it healthy and pure. Most of the time, living a more wasteful and unsustainable life is simply due to laziness. The world we live in deserves more effort than most of us give it. If you want to be more eco-friendly, all you need to do is be a little more mindful of your waste and take the time to prepare ahead. A major key to being sustainable is to use reduce waste by making the most out of what you already have. Even if you have not been sustainable in the past, this the perfect time to start. Growing up I always felt that I lived a fairly eco-friendly life. My parents recycled and we were big on reusable items. Because of this, I didn’t feel that there was much else I could do to improve my behavior (silly me, there is always a way to improve). As I have grown up I have found that even though I was not the worst of the worst, there is still A TON I could do to be kinder to the planet. I have decided to show my gratitude to the Earth by making more intentional choices. Simple, consistent changes will make a massive difference.

“All you need is less”

Shopping bag

How many plastic bags do you think you have collected in your lifetime? It’s scary to think about. Instead of using plastic shopping bags, bring your own reusable bag with you when you go shopping so you can reduce waste. This small effort will make a major difference in the long run. If you are like me, you probably find that you sometimes forget your reusable shopping bag at home. Pro tip: Leave it in the car! That way it is always ready for you. Once you have unpacked your new items, put the bag back in the car (or by the front door) so you remember to grab it before you head out again. Even if you do not shop often, you would be surprised to know find out how many plastic bags you have gone through in your lifetime. This extremely easy and low cost tip will save many trees.

Snack bag

I tend to be a pretty hangry person, so I always try to have snacks with me before I leave the house for an extended period of time. Because of this, I have used lots of snack baggie in my life. Reduce the amount snack baggies you use by getting a reusable one. I didn’t even know this was a thing until I found the Stasher one at Anthropologie. These baggies are awesome because they are leak proof and come in varying sizes and colors. If you’re a snacker I recommended picking couple of these up. An added bonus is that you’ll never have to spend money on ziplock bags again!

Water bottle

Using a reusable water bottle is another extremely easy way to help the environment out. I prefer drinking from a reusable bottle because the pretty packing makes me want to drink more water throughout the day. Glass bottles are a great option because it will keep your beverage tasting fresh and will not leave a gross aftertaste in your mouth. You could buy an attractive reusable container basically anywhere. To save on cost and improve efficiency, you can get one that holds both hot and cold liquids.

Straw

Save the turtles, drink out of a reusable straw. Personally, I love drinking out of a straw. It motivates me to drink more and somehow I find that my beverages taste better through a straw (lol). When you go to pick up your coffee or juices, instead of using a plastic straw that stores provide you with, consider using a stainless steel straw. Fortunately, many coffee shops have opted to use strapless cups, reducing the amount of waste. While this straw-less situation was strangely controversial at first, I think at this point we can all agree that drinking out of it isn’t so awkward, and if it saves the environment, it’s worth it. I got this pack from Crate and Barrel and I love them! They help me to be more sustainable while they make my drinks taste better. Win, win.

If you are interested in being more sustainable, now is the perfect time to start. There are so many simple and inexpensive ways to take care of the planet. Being more eco-friendly comes in many different forms. Maybe one way works for you and another way doesn’t. You don’t have to completely transform overnight. Gradual changes still make a major impact on the environment and will give you the boost you need to continue going. Love yourself and love your planet by showing it respect and kindness. How do you practice sustainability?

Let’s grow together.

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