9 easy and actionable steps anyone can take toward more sustainable living. Not only can we improve our impact on the environment, society, and health, but also our happiness!
I know I'm not the only one who wishes they were more conscious about living more sustainably. But we don't have to "wish". We can take simple easy actions to move toward living a more sustainable life! As I said, these can be small simple things, but sometimes those can make the greatest impact. Here's a secret; leading a more sustainable ("green") life, isn't just good for the environment, society, and your own physical health, but also your HAPPINESS! According to the Renewable Living Survey conducted by Tetra Pak in the US and Canada, 70% of people feel happier when they make more renewable lifestyle choices (things as simple as using reusable water bottles).
I think we all want to be as happy as possible along with being more sustainable! So Tetra Pak created a large scale renewable living social experiment to raise awareness and give people easy ways to start living more sustainably! They recited 10 bloggers to complete their challenge over 28 days to show the world that you can create sustainable habits that are easy and will last! They gave me the challenge to complete these 5 tasks listed below and share my thoughts. I didn't stop there though and I delved into a few more areas that I felt were important (and I think you will too!)
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1.Β When grocery shopping, choose food &Β beverage products with renewable packaging.Β Cans and plastic, not so eco-friendly. For instance, canned tomatoes. Tetra Pak created sustainable packaging for companies and manufacturers to use, like the tomato cartons above, that reduces that problem! Companies are beginning to switch to more renewable packaging, like Hunt's, and you'll start seeing this more and more as you shop. I love using canned tomatoes, so now that I can buy them in a biodegradable carton, I'm all for it! That's a pretty easy sway. don't you think?
2. Take shorter showers. I've actually started doing this a few years ago. When I was younger I would be in the shower for practically 40 minutes! But Over the years, I just don't have time for that! 10 minutes, in and out and I'm good to go! Considering my shower doesn't even have hot water half the time, it isn't uncommon for me to take a 3 minutes fastest-shower-possible, just so I don't freeze to death! But hey, it's a great easy way to safe water!
3. Walk or bike whenever possible. Depending on where you live, this could be super easy or a little more difficult. When I'm away at school in the city, walking every where is pretty easy (essential)! I know I feel happy when I go for walks and when that's your primary mode of transportation you get some great physical activity, mediation, no gas pollution, and total happiness! However, when I'm home in rural NJ, walking places isn't an option, nor is biking. That's when it's good to do things like carpool, go to all the places you need in one trip, etc.
4. Swap your paper coffee cup for a mug. This one was easy for me as well, since I brew at home and use my favorite Copco mug! But if you're going to Starbucks everyday before work, those cups add up where it would be much simpler to get a reusable one! You usually get a few cents off your order too! Not only coffee cups, but reusable water bottles are important as well. Being away at college, that has to happen. But when I'm home plastic water bottles are much more prevalent, so I still need to work on that one (hello Brita)!
5. Take the Tetra Pak Happiness Quiz. This quick 5 question quiz let's you know how "happy" your current sustainable living actions are making (or not) making you! I got Β Bountiful Bliss, which means the actions I'm taking (and trying to still implement) are putting me on the right track for ultimate happiness! You can take the quiz here and see you're results!
6. Use reusable bags when grocery shopping. This is the first of 4 of my own tasks I decided to implement! This one is so super easy and I shame myself for using so many plastic bags at the grocery for years! I've accumulated tons of nice reusable bags over the years, so now I'm making sure I use them! In DC you actually have to pay and extra 5 cents for plastic bags, so I got into the habit there of bringing my own bags anytime I shop (not just for food!)
7. Stop using paper plates and reduce paper towel use. So I recently ran out of paper plates and now I refuse to buy anymore. First, why waste the money when I can use a normal plate? Second, it really is a waste! I didn't use paper plates much anyway, so it was pretty easy to simple grab a ceramic plate when needed and rinse it off when done! Very easy and eco-friendly! For paper towels, well that's another story. This is the biggest one I still need to work on. When I'm cooking or just garbing a snack, by the end of the day I've probably used WAY more paper towels than needed. It's bad. Some solutions to keep that in check? Use the salad spinner, let things drain, use reusable towels for whipping things off. Still a work in progress here...majorly!
8. Use the bulk bins. I love the bulk bins! The amount of nuts and seeds I go through, it only makes sense. This way I can use all the glass jars I have and store these bulk foods in a super sustainable way, with the amounts I need, and have the added bonus of making the pantry look pretty! Why "pay for plastic" and maybe even more of an ingredients than you need, when you can skip the packaging all together, use your own, and only take what you need!
9. Use every scrap of food. Don't waste a thing! By now you know how big of a proponent I am for reducing food waste. Give me the ugliest misshaped foods, the stems and skins, give me it all! I hate seeing people waste food. If you can't finish something you've made, freeze it! If you have a bunch of carrot top greens, make some burgers! Think you can't eat the skin on your mango? Think again! It's the best part (same with kiwis!) No matter what I try to find a use for each and every bit of food. It also helps you get a little more creative when cooking and thinking up a way to use everything. You may even want to try making your own products like, gluten-free oat flour, ketchup, mustard,Β bbq sauce, jam, even plant-based milk!
These small and simple actions can make a huge impact if we all work on implementing them into our lives! I challenge you to take Tetra Pak's sustainable challenge (as well as the challenges I added), and see if you can make these happy habits a part of your life too!
So tell me:
+ What sustainable/renewable actions do you want to work on?
+ What actions do you already take?
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Stay connected: Facebook: Strength and Sunshine Twitter: @RebeccaGF666 Instagram: rebeccagf666 Pinterest: RebeccaGF666 Bloglovinβ: Strength and Sunshine Google+: Rebecca PytellI was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Grace
Great tips! I implement almost all of these already, so I'm feeling pretty good, haha. I have never seen those carton containers before though for things like tomatoes. Hopefully they'll be introduced in my local grocery store soon as well.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I'm sure we'll all be seeing them soon much more!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish
These are really great tips!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
sheri
What a good list to read through and be reminded to not be wasteful! I hate wastefulness!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Glad you enjoyed it!
Lauree
We frequently host family gatherings and I don't buy paper towels or plastic cups. Not just because of the waste, but I think food tastes better when served on real dishes. I bought 24 used glass plates from someone who sold them after using them for her wedding.
In place of the usual plastic cup with a sharpie to write your name, I have stemmed iced tea glasses and make these adorable glass slippers for name tags. They slip around the stem and I cut them out of pretty scrapbook paper (leftovers from other projects) with my Silhouette Cameo. Everyone can write their name on their slipper.
So sustainable & pretty!
What I want to do better is using my reusable grocery bags - I either forget them or they are in the wrong vehicle. Any tips on how to remember to take them with you?
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Love the glass slipper! Much prettier π
I only take one trip to the grocery a week so I just know to grab the bags!
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
Rebecca, it's all about steps. I've been at this a long time and still find new actions to take toward sustainable living. Thanks for the tips and for doing your bit!
Lauree, I keep my grocery tote bags in the car at all times. As soon as I unload groceries, they go back in the car. I also keep a few in my husband's car.
Melinda Mitchell
Hi Rebecca, I do pretty well with the water. I use a Pur pitcher at home, and carry my water bottle (re-usable) everywhere! There's usually a water fountain most places.
I also have lots of re-usable grocery bags. And I carry them in my car. I just need to figure out a way to make sure I take them into the store!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You've got a great plan going!
Heather @ Viral Upcycle
Great reminders to to stay on track with sustainability. Thanks!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well, thank you!
Sherry
I'm pretty good in doing most of these things, but I'm still working on a few:-)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think we will all always be a work in progress!
Sandy Sandmeyer
These are great ideas to reduce waste and promote a more sustainable life.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Sofie
I think the first tip especially would be so easy to do. You just need to change brands for some products. I think this is an amazing list and I was pleasantly surprised that I already do a lot of these.
Recently I have been trying to grow a lot of my own food as well but it turns out I don't have green thumbs at all!
But I will just keep trying and making better choices in the supermarket for now.
~ Sofie
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea! We can make a difference with our "dollar" and be conscious about who we support!
I wish I had a green thumb too π Don't feel bad! I can't even keep a small basil plant alive!
Julie Syl - Pit stop Crew
Thanks for spreading awareness on sustainable living. We use larger bins and recycle a lot. I also dont use paper towels unless I am at an event I didnt plan. We even harvest rain water for use on the garden and wash cars. Since I work at home I have to find aways to be more active daily or end up on my butt all day !
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Wow, you are rocking it!!! I love hearing that!
Being at home or stuck in any building can be difficult! That's why it should feel even better if we can travel by foot for bike!
Amberjane
We recycle, in Ireland for years we have had to use "bags for Life" in other words our own bags for shopping , your tips are great and I will be using some Rebecca
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That is wonderful! I hope that movement continues to spread everywhere!
Marla
Hi Rebecca,
Great tips that really can make a difference in our planet. Pinned & tweeted!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Thank you!
Vicky C
Great tips!! I will definitely keep an eye out for the sustainable packaging at the grocery store...love that companies are starting to embrace this! The shorter showers is a challenging one, lol...I do love a nice long hot shower from time to time, but I will have to work on that one :).
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea! It's great to start seeing real progress!
Haha, I think a lot of us find that one challenging π
Josefine @ Sprouted Fig
I love this post. I try to live as sustainably as possible every day and bike anywhere I can. Thanks for spreading the word.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea!!! I try my best with everything! Anything we can do makes a difference!
Donna @ Soul Survival
You've provided some very doable tips! Thanks for sharing.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Glad you found them helpful!
Sonali- The Foodie Physician
Great tips! When I was in culinary school, I learned to use cloths instead of paper towels so I try to stick with that now as much as possible to reduce waste. I'm going to make the switch from canned tomatoes to sustainable packaging.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea! Paper towels are such a big one for me!
Lauren
These are all great ideas, and I'm so glad you are writing about this. We've been using cloth napkins and towels instead of paper towels for about 4-5 years now, and we don't really miss paper towels anymore. I've also tried to incorporate more reusable items in our cleaning routine, like Norwex products.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
How many cloth napkins/towels do you use in a day? How often do you wash them?
Lauren
There are three people in my household (me, my husband, and my five-year-old), and for my kitchen towels, we probably have 2-3 going at any given time. I reuse them for a few days unless there's a major spill. For the cloth napkins, we also try to reuse unless it's a particularly messy meal, so I would estimate 1 for each of us per day? Then we wash them when we have a full load of towels/napkins. It was an adjustment at first, but then you get used to it. π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I think I need to do some shopping π
MELANIE REDD
Thanks for all of the great suggestions!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Glad you found them helpful!
Cora
This is awesome. I hate any time I forget my reusable bag and so have to buy plastic ones at the grocery store. And I hatteeee wasting food. I basically freeze everything. And I'm learning there really can be a use for EVERYTHING... like the greens at the tops of beets! I get sad when I see people throwing these out. However I am very guilty of not using my reusable thermos and opting for paper cups when I get coffees. Luckily many cafes I go to are using semi-recycled materials, but this is definitely somewhere I could be more mindful towards our environment.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! See, all these little things do add up for success and improvement!
Kristy @ Southern In Law
These are all such great tips! I always like to make sure my habits are as environmentally friendly as possible!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Right! Everything we can do!
Nikki
Rebecca, I began reading your article and I was feeling pretty good until I got to the bulk bin section.
We use reusable shopping bags, because I hate having all those plastic bags in my house, and its better for the environment.
And we use reusable water bottles and coffee mugs. You won't find a paper plate in our home. We do use paper napkins, cuz I really just don't want to wash and press fabric ones all the time, and we occasionally use paper towels, but not very often.
What I like most that we do is that we use all of our vegetable rinds, skins and seeds in a compost for the garden, as well as our coffee grounds & eggshells. And then we also have a humongous rain barrel so that we save on water for the garden. Plus it's always better to use Rainwater.
But the bulk section of the grocery store is not one that I visit, and never thought about the fact that I would be saving the environment of the container. Thanks for the tip I'm going to look more into this area.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Composting is fantastic! I can't since I don't have any use for that, haha! But when I have my own house...and a garden...maybe π
Well hey! That's a great new task to start working on!
Jenn Corter
These are great tips! We always try to keep showers short in our house!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Jenn! That's fantastic!
Jessie @ The Acquired Sass
Love these ideas. I implement a lot of them already. Especially using reusable shopping bags, real mugs & real cups for my coffee & water & on the go.
I'll have to look at bulk bin prices. Unfortunately some of the staples are cheaper in packaging than in bulk bins, which is a bummer.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That's great!
You do have to look around for the best prices for sure! But that's why, if you only need a certain amount, it always wins!
Jessica
These are great tips! I hope I start to see the Hunt's Tomato Tetra Packs in stores around here soon! I try to use less paper products whenever possible. I use rags for cleaning and then wash them when I'm done, instead of using paper towels, and we have a cloth diaper stash that we use for the kids when we can.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Ah cloth diapers! Some of the statistics I've seen about the impact normal diapers have is insane!
Linda @ Veganosity
Amen! Alex brings her mason jars to the supermarket and fills them with beans, grains, nuts, etc., from the bins. She weighs the jar before filling and they take the weight off of the bill. Minimalist living is the way of the future. Great post!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes!!! Getting things in the bulk bins always makes me feel so good, haha! π
Lindsey
These are great tips. Very actionable. I'm horrible at using paper plates for convenience. But I do shop with reusable grocery bags. I think we can all work to attain more of these. Sharing on Twitter, Pinterest and StumbleUpon.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Every little thing we can do and work on helps!
Krista
Good tips. I will keep and eye out for the bio degradable containers at the store.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Fantastic Krista!
Tiffany
I started biking last year and it is definitely the best way to get around. When it's nice outside I don't want to spend my time driving! When I'm on my bike I feel like I've taken advantage of nice weather. I also hate disposables- my husband always gets upset because I hide his paper towels!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes, that's lovely! We can get exercise, fresh air, and help the Earth all in one go!
Hahaha π Sounds like my family!
kimmythevegan
Great tips! I follow most of these, but could always use more ideas to live sustainably.
The paper plate one is a good one. I do that most of the time, but need some when I have a large get together. Or a potluck. But recently, I've noticed the potluck I attend, the host asks us to bring our own plates and cutlery. Genius!
I need to work on the paper towel thing too :/
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
All the paper products are hard to eliminate! They become our crutch!
Farrah
Happy to report that I already do most of these things! :D! I take crazy short showers (they're a little longer at the moment since I only have one functional arm, but at least it's still under 8-10 minutes)! I really want to live in a place where I can walk/bike everywhere again--tis one of the top reasons why I miss Davis so much!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Ah fantastic! That's still super fast with one arm!!!!
I wish I could walk and bike everywhere too (when it's warm!)
Susie @ Suzlyfe
As evidenced this weekend, if you don't finish your food, I will. Literally hoovered the rest of my friend's food. Was I hungry? no. And I recycle and use reusable everything. I think that is part of the reason I rarely get take out.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Good stuff Susie π If I ever have extra food I just can't use, I'll ship it to you π
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit
I got Distinctly Delightful on the happiness quiz with an adorable smiley sticking his happy tongue out at me :p I'm not sure if I'm the delightful one or if he is, but either way I think we're pretty sustainable! I like all these tips and do many of them already! I do still use paper towels though, and I wish I lived somewhere more biking friendly, and none of my local stores have bulk bins grrr! But on the short showers (did you really take 40 mins?? :o) and recycling and grocery bags I'm a pro. Now something I've always been confused about: are tetra paks recyclable or not??
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hehe π
I wish I could ride my bike everywhere!
I did. When I was younger I would set off the smoke alarm with all the steam I created!
I believe they are simply biodegradable, so you can just toss in the trash and your duty is accomplished!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious
Love these tips! I need to get better at buying renewable packaging and out of the bulk bin. Goals for this year!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Small steps and it will happen! Bulk bins are so good!!!
Evi @ greenevi
Great tips! I am just learning to stop buying canned beans and cook them myself, but it's hard, coz I'm so lazy π
+1 tip: Animal products. Those have the worst ecological footprint!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Cook your own beans for sure!!! If you have a rice cooker, it's so easy! Did you see my post on that?
tianna
awesome tips for sustainable living π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
neil@neilshealthymeals.com
No.6 is one that has had significant benefits here in the U.K. It's law for a supermarket to charge for a shopping bag and free bags are not allowed to be given out. The result has been that everyone turns up with their own bags and there are no longer those free bags floating about in the air, being blown about by the wind. Happy Days!
It would never have happened without a change in the law though. People are too lazy and either need to be forced or have some incentive for it!
Lots of other great tips here!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Wow, well that's great! I think in a few years it may start being like that everywhere! The US is behind on environmental and sustainability laws!
Mayra Murillo
I had never thought about the packaging my food comes in. That one really made my head turn. I will be paying extra attention to that now.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I'm glad you'll be aware now! If you see the special packaging, go for it!
Emily @ My Healthyish Life
I've always been really good with the short showers and reusable grocery bags, but I definitely need work on the reusable water bottle thing. It's just so easy to buy a plastic water bottle and throw it away. Maybe if I buy a cute bottle it will inspire me π
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I feel you! It's hard too if you don't have access to safe drinking water to fill it with!
Sarah @ BucketListTummy
Love these - especially reducing food waste! Hopefully Whole Foods taking on the "ugly" produce will instigate more grocers to do the same! I actually keep my own mug in the car for when I'm camping out at coffee shops and they only have plastic cups. Great tips!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Likevwhat France had implemented with "ugly" produce, I hope we can do the same!
That's a great idea to always keep one in the car!! No forgetting!
dixya @ food, pleasure, and health
so many great and actually realistic tips that comes with practice. before i used to live in a complex with no recycling..but now that this current building does, i feel better about not throwing out recyclable things. also, i have cut down paper towel use by using wash cloth and keeping paper towel out of sight. it really works.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Recycling is another one I need to work on! At least when we use reusable containers, that isn't so much of a problem!