Eco friendly lifestyle changes not only impact the people involved but also the world around us. We all know climate change is happening. We are aware of wastefulness and excessive consumption. We all engage in it with guilt in our hearts, but sometimes mindlessly without a second thought. They have become - Default habits.
I am no exception but I have made consistent changes in habits for a more sustainable lifestyle. This is my journey towards a more eco friendly lifestyle.
Here are a list of changes that anyone can make in order to shift towards a more sustainable lifestyle. Some of these are just small swaps while others require a firm commitment.
Using Reusable produce Bags for buying fruits and vegetables instead of plastic bags and carrying your own grocery bag.
Keeping a ready list of zero waste shops that also sell unpackaged produce and dry goods and oils. Yes they are there everywhere but we dont notice because we are looking for default brands in the same aisles in the supermarkets. Connect with your local zero waste groups who will have information on small businesses selling eco friendly products as well. IT doesn't have to be zero waste shop, even big grocery chains have sections where we can buy without packaging. Most of them pack your required quantity of dry goods like pulses, spices and snacks in plastic bags, but if you carry your own bags and container, they are usually happy to fill them up instead. I have never had my request denied.
Prioritizing locally produced vegetables and fruits as opposed to those that are imported. Ripe markets and farmers markets are a great way to show your support to local farmers. Many locations have open air farmers market when the weather is good and sell fresh produce from local farms at a low price. The atmosphere is also very fun for a weekend outing with family. Every city has such markets coming up everyday.
Buying Milk, eggs, etc. from local farms instead of supermarkets. You will be reminded of the taste of eggs and yogurt from your childhood.
Using bamboo toothbrushes with biodegradable bristles. But these products need to be changed periodically, so remember to reuse them for cleaning purposes before throwing them away responsibly.
Buying biodegradable cleaning detergents from shops that allow refills instead of buying a new plastic bottle every time. Organic store and Tavola in Dubai have this option but there are many such places in every city.
Keeping a ready supply of metal, edible, paper or tempered glass straws if you really need them. I have never had any drink that absolutely required a straw. They taste just the same with or without them. It is a very useless piece of invention it you ask me, they are more trouble than use.
Keeping a zero waste kit always handy in the car, or near your door, with steel or glass containers. They always comes in handy to carry leftovers when we eat out from restaurants. I also try to pick up food orders from restaurants in these containers whenever possible.
Using Beeswax wraps for covering food and fresh produce instead of plastic cling film. They can be made at home as well.
Using a reusable silicone menstrual cup and washable menstrual pads made from bamboo fiber instead of disposable sanitary napkins. Not only is this eco friendly but so convenient. Menstrual cup is my most recommended product.
Using Metal razors instead of plastic razors with replaceable metal blades.
Using soap bars without wraps instead of shower gels in plastic bottles.
Using Kindle instead if paperbacks for reading and only buying books that I would like to keep and re read for a long time. Buying books from second hand shops, borrowing from lending libraries, friends and ever increasing number of apps which help you borrow or buy used books is also an option if one prefers physical books. Most libraries are so Inviting and lovely. The old library in Dubai is such a booklover's haven for me.
Phasing out plastic storage containers for dry foods in the kitchen and using metal or glass containers instead. I dont suggest you go right away and replace all your plastic containers. Use what you have and phase them out slowly. Instead of buying I collect reusable glass bottles from my grocery shopping. Marmalade and Coffee bottles are perfect for this purpose.
Walking to grocery stores every time instead of ordering online as they always come wrapped in too much of plastic , or ordering from stores which deliver without packaging.
Using cloth table napkins and washable kitchen towels instead of paper towels.
Reusing old papers. Most documents and prints are used only on one side. The other blank side can be used for kids artwork, grocery list many other purposes before recycling instead.
Growing fresh herbs at home instead of buying every time. There are many plants which are low maintenance, sturdy and easy to grow indoors on a bright window sill.
Reusing water used for washing fruits ,vegetables. grains, pulses etc., for watering plants and cleaning. I keep a small container handy in the kitchen with this water to use later.
Running the dishwasher only when its full. But it requires a bit of planning. When used wisely dishwashers save a lot of water.
Using food grade, non plastic, silicone reusable airtight pouches like Stasher for storing items in the freezer instead of plastic zip lock pouches. They are also useful for storing fresh vegetables in the fridge. They can be expensive, I won't deny but the cost of product/ should be calculated per use instead of the cost of purchase. Since they last long, I don't mind making this investment.
Not cringing about using hand me down books, toys or even clothes instead of buying something new.
Finding good homes for my toys books and clothes as much as I can, instead of throwing away. Thankfully I have friends and family who help me do this and we exchange these constantly. There are many thrift stores which will gladly accept cloths that are in good condition. Thrift for Good in Dubai is a great place to buy or give away your used cloths.
When unavoidable using Eco friendly disposable cutlery and plates from sites like http://www.theecoloopshop.com , http://Www.upcycleletstransform.com etc. There are many such businesses which sell sustainable products and many of these are run by women entrepreneurs in Dubai. This is a great way to support sustainable businesses.
Buying high quality clothes and products which will last longer instead of fast fashion or cheap products and gadgets. Always calculate cost per use instead of initial cost.
Use phones and gadgets for their entire lifetime instead of buying the latest model every year.
Finding best practices for using and maintaining all products, clothes etc. so that they last longer and work more efficiently through their lifetime.
Not buying any physical newspapers and always preferring e-receipts over paper receipts
Gifting edible homemade food products like Granola, chocolates, nut bars and butters etc., instead of buying. It's more personal and is always appreciated more whenever I have done this. Specially during festivals its become so common to buy sweets wrapped in so much of single use products. Its an effort but is surely rewarding.
In the spirit of Reduce , Repurpose and only Finally Recycle, I constantly ask myself why I need something and think for several days before making a new purchase. Not only that but I also ask myself about the utility of the products. How long or how frequently will I use them. This act of questioning every single item purchased has brought some mindfulness into making purchases. It has certainly stopped my impulse purchases. But this will always be a Work In Progress.
If I can't reduce or repurpose, I at least try to segregate and send it for recycling instead of dumping them altogether in the garbage. But, finding out the best way to recycle each item is very essential.
Finding a good tailor, so clothes can be mended or altered. This increases their lifespan. Sometimes altering the fit can do wonders to how you feel about an outfit. Its the difference between throwing or keeping.
Reusing gift wrappers or finding eco friendlier ways of wrapping gifts in repurposed jars, paper bags etc.
Learning best practices for food storage , especially fresh produce. Proper storage can increase the shelf life of products, This is a very undervalued part of food wastage. I have found so many useful methods that it requires its own blog. Coming soon here.
Making my own enzyme cleaner from citrus peels. This can be done with all types of flowers fruits and vegetables but I prefer the citrusy smell as I use it mainly for home cleaning purposes.
Making yogurt, granola , energy bars etc., at home instead of buying in plastic wrapped containers in supermarkets. Not only has this reduced waste, it has also improved the quality and taste of the food we consume. I control the ingredients so I don't need to read the labels.
Cooking only what is required and when there are leftovers, repurposing it creatively Being mindful of this makes sure we do not throw out any good food.
Consuming food for need and not for greed. Mindful undistracted eating will make sure we eat well and do not overeat. This is also a constant Work - In - Progress in my case.
Making compost from my daily kitchen waste using www.dailydump.org 's Gobble compost bins. This is the most impactful thing that I have done in my Journey of going green and zero waste. I cant thank people like Sudha Velugula , who hand held me through this Journey. I can't thank her enough. I will surely pay it forward by helping others who want to start composting.
Try to repurpose plastics when possible. Sometimes these single use plastics end up at my home as well in spite of my best efforts. I try to reuse or repurpose them as long as its possible do so safely. A friend religiously collects her yogurt boxes which I use to distribute compost that I make from kitchen waste. Another friend collects her 5L water bottles which I use for making my enzyme cleaner.
Reusing party decoration . The one use, has been used for every celebration at our home for nearly 10 years and has also been borrowed by friends on occasions. Like Christmas decorations , they come out of the storage and go back in carefully after every use.
Propagating plants at home instead of making trips to plant nurseries all the time. My one money plant has helped me make numerous green pots around the house. several home grown plants can be propagates very easily. I also regularly use them as gifts for friends who love plants. Its so easy to learn. You tube has several tutorials for each type of plant.
Managing with a single car and using carpooling, public transportation etc. I won't lie that it causes no inconvenience, but it is amazing how soon one can get used to these routines. We also end up walking a bit more and that is never a bad idea,
Combining errands in the car whenever possible so I don't make individual trips.
Making my own skin care products using Items in the kitchen. I was surprised by how effective these age old techniques are. A bit of yogurt, tomato paste, honey and wild turmeric can give a lovely glow. Just like Korean skin care products.
Reducing food wastage with practices like meal planning. It is definitely a game changer because shopping is done with intention and awareness.
Not buying souvenirs while travelling unless it specifically fits into the decor or is useful. No more impulse purchases of unwanted stuff while on holidays. No more fridge magnets.
The last 3 items that follow are more general for having a good attitude towards making these changes
48. Encouraging those around you to make these changes gently, without becoming a tyrant about it. Writing this blog is one such effort. Do more by example than by instructing. I too learnt to make these changes by observing friends.
49. Not being harsh on myself for not following through with these habits, every single time. Its ok to slip up once in a while. We will forget to carry a bag someday, we will end up ordering from shops that sell in plastic sometimes. But it is ok sometimes. This mindset is very essential for making sustainable changes in our lives.
But remember Miss once , it is a mistake, miss twice, that's the beginning of a new habit.
I also try not to be hard on myself for not doing more. I know I am headed in the right direction
50. Being constantly on the lookout for better and more sustainable substitutes . What I have done so far is not an an exhaustive list. But I am constantly finding new and improved methods of making an impact in a small way.
Drastic big changes are disruptive and hence not always sustainable. Striving for zero waste lifestyle is a lifelong process but I have come a long way from where I started .
But my journey began with one tiny change and that started even before I used my first reusable grocery bag.
The change that preceded that action was a tiny shift in the attitude, that 'not doing anything is no longer an option ' and every small change matters.
Hoping that the readers of this blog, who have not yet embraced eco friendly lifestyle will find at least a few of the habit replacement suggestions useful, and will choose to take a tiny step forward.
There are many more changes that are possible but I am moving just one step at a time. That is the only way these changes become sustainable for Life.
A little late for the party, I know, but great going!
This is a great write up Anu . Truly inspiring !
Amazing blog and I can see you have done a lot of researching. Great tips and hacks . Great job 👍
Fabulous ideas keep it up
You are addressing many aspects here - recycling, avoiding waste and cut down redundancy (all are environment driven circular economy) as well as mental health areas that will help simplify our life and live happily. now i am curious to learn more and share my comments.