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Writer's pictureanu aiyer

5 Tiny steps towards an Eco-Friendly lifestyle



Are you interested in moving towards an Eco-Friendly lifestyle but struggle to make a start as it's all so overwhelming? Here are just 5 easy ways to make a beginning.


1. Re-usable foldable carry bags in every outdoor bag/purse:






Keep a foldable reusable bag in every purse or outdoor bag. It happens often that I end up buying something although I did not leave home with that intention. So these bags come in handy. This eliminates the need for single-use plastic. I have a collection of such bags hanging next to the door, for easy grab and go. They even come in very pretty designs and patterns. This also makes for a good return gift. These bags are well-appreciated by people who were around before plastics became so ubiquitous.


2. Recycle just one category of materials.



Many countries have already made it mandatory to separate waste before discarding it. But it is far from becoming standard practice everywhere, including where I live. Pick one item that is not used very frequently in your household. For example, in our house, we don't have too many glass bottles. I keep a small bag next to my shopping bag and when I see it's full, I take it along on grocery errands to the recycle bins. No special storage containers needed that occupy space, and no big trips to the recycling center. Not very frequent in any case. Once this becomes a routine move on to the next easy category.


3. Handle paper waste:





This is the simplest category to handle. They occupy less space, are not messy, don't smell, and can easily be repurposed or recycled. Start collecting papers used only on one side. My son uses them for his artwork. When these are put nicely in a binder or folder, they can be used for rough work, notes, and lists, or even as a notebook. Cardboard boxes are great for storage. Recycling them is easier than other kinds of waste.


4. Make a friend who is into a Zero-waste lifestyle:




The easiest way to make changes in your life is by surrounding yourself with people you want to be like. We are, the average of the 5 people we spend most of our time with.


Hopefully, like me, you will find friends who simply inspire rather than preach. A good way to find such a friend is to join an online forum like Facebook groups. You will get to hear about local initiatives in your city. Try to attend one of these and you will meet like-minded people.


Or look for local or small e-businesses that deal in eco-friendly products. In my experience, many of them are into this because they are passionate about the cause, and not just for profit.


Follow them on Instagram and Facebook and slowly you will find many ideas and find yourself being nudged into making changes.


I have hesitated many times fearing that I do too little, but most of them are non-judgemental as they understand the process. They have been very supportive whenever I have needed help or advice. When I started composting or making enzyme cleaners, I had too many doubts and worries. But they have handheld me through all of it .


I realize that all the information is available on the internet if needed but it's easier to learn by observing others and using their experience.


5. Try to stop at least one source of waste.





Look for a small change you can make that has a ripple effect. For example, If you are buying water in plastic containers, then maybe getting a water filter will eliminate the need for you to bring this plastic home in the first place. Cut the source whenever possible.


When I started buying fresh cow's milk from a local vendor, it eliminated the need for me to buy them in plastic bottles in grocery stores. It also saved me from buying yogurt boxes. That's 2 bottles a week and 1 plastic box of yogurt. Totaling 156 plastic containers a year. This is certainly a lot easier than recycling those plastic containers.



And my favorite change in this category is to carry my own produce bags for groceries. I probably eliminate at least 15 plastic bags every time I buy fresh produce in them. That's close to 1600 plastic bags a year. When I look at these figures, carrying my own grocery bag doesn't seem like a chore. It puts things in perspective.



More than all of these changes, most important is to create long standing habits. I take inspiration from people around me who manage waste effortlessly. They simply don't generate any waste. They don't do 50 different things like me. But I have never seen them waste anything. My mom and my older sister for instance, never waste a single grocery item. I have never seen them throw food or rotten vegetables out. Not food, not clothes, no toys or books. It appears to be effortless. But behind it, are some carefully developed habits. They simply buy less. They buy mindfully and use everything with forethought and planning. What can be more eco-friendly than that? That mindset change is the main source and also the hardest part. If we can develop that, the rest is easy.


When I wrote https://anuaiyer.wixsite.com/mysite/post/50-small-eco-friendly-changes-i-made, one useful feedback I received was to make it less daunting for beginners.

So I have listed the 5 things I did when I started on this journey. I most definitely did not start with composting on day one. Hope this helps someone make a small beginning. Please let me know in the comments if you found it useful.


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