More people want to be eco-friendly in their everyday lives. According to a study by Southern Cross University, 77 percent of people want to learn how to live more sustainably. As everyone begins to comprehend and appreciate the impact of human behavior on the planet and the delicate balance of eco life, the call for consumers and brands to do better has only gotten louder. And consumers are making better choices, such as opting for eco-friendly options when buying a car or designing conscious and sustainable houses: leading an eco-friendly life does not always have to begin with big sweeping actions. In fact, it is changing those minuscule, everyday habits that can make the most difference.
Ask For No Cutlery With Your Takeout
Did you know the average American eats out four to five times each week? That equates to 18.2 meals every month bought from a food establishment – and often, that comes with disposable culture and packaging. While many restaurants are choosing eco-friendly meal packaging, there is still a long way to go in this area. For consumers, a simple way to contribute to reducing the number of takeout containers is to ask for no cutlery with your meal delivery, or have reusable cutlery when dining out. There are now several reusable, travel-friendly cutlery sets that you can simply take with you in your bag or even on an airplane. Best of all, many are budget-friendly, like Amazon’s 2 Pack Natural Bamboo Travel Cutlery set that comes in at $14.
Go For Refills Your Favorite Beauty Or Household Products
The average American spends six hours cleaning their homes, and 161 million women use beauty products each day in the U.S. Given the frequency with which consumers use cleaning products, changing your cleaning system to a more sustainable disinfection routine using green cleaning products is one of the simplest most impactful changes you can make. If you employ a cleaning company, look out for those using green practices. Not only are environmentally friendly cleaning products safer for the environment, but they are also safer for your health without the inclusion of harsh chemicals. Also, instead of reaching for your favorite shampoo or shower gel, swap it for an environmentally friendly alternative with non-synthetic ingredients, or a soap bar. If you prefer, most brands have introduced refillable beauty options like ColourPop’s Create Your Own Palette.
Don’t Just Make Your Meal Planning Local – Make It Seasonal
Each year, Americans waste 40 million tons of food. Eating locally and seasonally means you are eating food that uses less artificial heating or greenhouse gases for growth or storage. When planning your weekly menu, try to reduce your purchase of pre-prepared fruits and vegetables like packaged salads. Also, make yourself familiar with local food markets or food vendors in your area. Finally, instead of creating a meal plan before shopping, turn it around and build your meal plan around seasonal food you pick up at the markets. In spring, vegetables like arugula, radishes and mustard greens are in season – ideal for a crisp radish salad.
Leading a more eco-friendly life does not always have to include large changes. Simple, continuous changes to the choices you make daily can create lasting change. Best of all, they are easy to make day after day.