When I was growing up, sustainability wasn’t something I heard about much until I was older. I am not claiming that I am perfect now and never grab a plastic bottle of water when it makes sense. But there are so many easy swaps that can be made for your daily life. Most of them I didn’t even think about being wasteful until I heard someone else mention it. Read on for just a few easy sustainable swaps
1. stop using disposable cups
Easy swap, numero uno: switching to a reusable cup. This is one of my favorites and has an added benefit of keeping your drinks ice cold all day long! I ordered some Reduce stainless steel cups on amazon and have since hooked a few other people on them too. They are similar to a Yeti without the high price tag. Now you won’t need the disposable cups at the coffee shop that sweat all over the place or spill your precious caffeine because this lid seals tight and has an opening for a straw.
2. reusable straws
I have used all the reusable straws except the bendy silicone ones and learned a few things.
- Metal straws bonk your teeth and make your lips super cold or hot depending on what you’re drinking.
- In the business of daily life, who can be trusted with glass…?! I tried the glass ones my sister bought and really liked them but in the span of a couple weeks had broken about half of them (sorry sister).
- Paper is ok for short term use but doesn’t last all day and gets little pieces in your drink if you let it sit too long, and who wants that?
- Plastic. Now, hear me out, we are talking about sustainability here and plastic is the bad guy. But this could be the best for everyday use and trying all the other options first is really creating more waste. The ones I use are the clear plastic straws that come with the Reduce cups and they have been great. Super durable, haven’t stained and have proved to be easy to clean with a little brush (we don’t have a dishwasher, though they are dishwasher safe). They are currently well over 2 years old at this point and are still going strong. That would have been hundreds of disposable straws.
3. reusable shopping bags and drawstring produce bags
Instead of grabbing the single use plastic bags the grocery store provides purchase some drawstring or zippered bags to use instead. They are light weight and as far as I have noticed they wash well. Some of the bags we use have been around for years. Just think about how many plastic bags are getting saved by doing this.
This is what we we’re using prior to COVID-19, some grocery stores do not allow you to bring your reusable bags. However, I have noticed that they are using some more sturdy “reusable” bags that don’t immediately rip as soon as you put something in them. Or you could opt for paper vs plastic, a slightly more earth friendly selection.
4. glasses instead of paper cups in the bathroom
Who doesn’t like a cool drink of bathroom tap water after brushing your teeth first thing in the morning or right before bed? It’s honestly making me thirsty just thinking about it. The little paper cups might be super cute and convenient but it’s just extra waste that adds up for no reason. It’s just as easy to have an actual cup at your vanity and use that, sure you will have to wash it occasionally but at least you won’t need to purchase anymore of the paper cups.
5. try a menstrual cup (TMI warning)
This tip is only for the vagina owners out there.
There is no greater panic than getting your period while you’re out and you don’t have any pads or tampons or anything on you. So not only are menstrual cups super convenient for that but they reduce plastic and paper waste exponentially. The same cup depending on brand can be used for years instead of hours.
Just from Saalt company alone 1,004,195 waste products have been diverted since February 2018- December 2020. That is wild! This is also just talking about one company alone, adding up all the other brands too would be even more staggering. Cups are gaining popularity but are still definately not as common.
Saalt info credit: https://saalt.com/pages/impact
Youtube video that talks all about them (NSFW): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxLdDh23N3U
Something to Remember
Any step you can do to be more green, the better. No one is perfect and it’s not an all in or nothing situation. Even if you do one small thing it will add up and the world we share will be a better place.
What are some swaps you make on a regular basis?
Which ones will you be trying out?
Let me know in the comments below!
Please note that none of the links included in this blog post are affiliate links. Just products I use and love!
