5 Simple Steps to Create a More Eco-Friendly Lifestyle
You want to make a positive impact on the environment, but where to start? The answer lies in our daily habits and lifestyle choices. By taking an eco-forward approach to some minor decisions in our lives, we can have a major impact on the Planet. These small decisions are examples of what we like to call Unshellfish Living. In this article, we’ll share how you will start to recognize when to turn off the advertising noise, understand the Five R’s of Sustainable Living, and learn how pre-purchase decisions can make a big impact. We will also introduce you to our Purchasing Framework, which is designed to help you make informed and sustainable choices when shopping for products. So let’s get started on this journey towards a greener future!
Step 1: Stop Listening. Advertising is everywhere.
We live in a world where advertising is everywhere, especially when we’re scrolling on our phones for 180+ minutes each a day. Not only are we overloaded with images of what perfect strangers wore during their workout this morning, but we also see ads on billboards, TV commercials, and podcasts. The goal of advertising is to get you to spend money, very often on things you don’t need. Stop listening to what others are saying you need, turn off that constant stream of noise that is surrounding you, and start thinking about what you actually want in your life. Become a thoughtful consumer.
By tuning out these messages and focusing on what truly matters – taking care of ourselves and our planet – we can take the first step towards living a more sustainable life.
Step 2: Rehash Your Trash.
Every year the world generates 1.3 BILLION tons of trash, according to the LA Times and World Bank Research. This is a problem for a plethora of reasons – habitat and wildlife destruction, methane emissions that cause global warming and climate change, and toxicity to humans that have been linked to human reproductive health issues, obesity, diabetes, and cancer.
We generally stop thinking about things as soon as they hit the trash can. But this simple act is having major impact on the health of the planet and its inhabitants. The challenge? For just for one day, ignore the drive to let out of site be out of mind! Each time you toss a wrapper, paper towel, or iced coffee cup in the trash, take mental note. Did you absolutely need to use that item? Probably. Could you have used an alternative product that didn’t produce waste OR potentially use an alternative disposal method that is more environmentally friendly? Likely! We’ll learn about alternative disposal methods and the 5Rs in the next step.
For now, you’ll be amazed at how much you throw away each day. Taking note of what you’re disposing of is one small step you can take to recognize the impact you have on our planet, and the opportunity you have to live healthier (and even save money!) by consuming less. By making small adjustments to our daily habits, we can all contribute towards creating a greener and healthier planet.
Step 3. Practice the 5 R's of Sustainable Living.
Step 3 in creating an eco-friendly lifestyle is to learn the 5 R’s of sustainable living – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Rot & Recycle (in priority order).
Refuse: The first R is to refuse. This means choosing not to buy or take something that you don’t need, especially if it’s packaged in single-use plastic. Think plastic straws, junk mail, freebies. Try to completely remove objects from your life that are of little or no use.
Reduce: Reducing means taking less; for example, don’t buy two of the same shirt when you only need one, or take 4 extra napkins when you’ll only go through 2.
Reuse: Reuse is all about finding new uses for things you already have instead of buying something new (i.e. attach an old t-shirt to your mop to clean the floor instead of buying disposable cleaning pads).
Rot: Rot is an alternative disposal method. If you can, compost food scraps and yard waste, and use the compost in your garden or houseplants. NPR made a nice quick-start guide to home composting, in addition to a list of compostable items that you should check out if interested in learning more.
Recycle: As a last resort, try to recycle as your disposal method. Just remember, that recycling also consumes a large amount of energy (and it often isn’t even effective), which is why it is at the bottom of our list. However, recycling can still be beneficial to the environment so it’s important that you research recycling opportunities in your area and be sure to properly dispose of items like electronics or hazardous pollutants. Often your local retailsers like Target, Whole Foods & other stores collect harder to recycle items like plastic bags/wrappers, hangers, etc.
By following these simple steps, it’s possible to lead a more sustainable life while reducing waste and protecting the environment around us.
Step 4. How Small Pre-Purchase Decisions Make a Big Impact.
Step 4 of creating an eco-friendly lifestyle involves making small pre-purchase decisions that have a big impact. Before purchasing anything new, it is important to take a moment to think and consider the following Pre-Purchase Considerations (PPCs):
Do you actually need it?
Can you find a substitute or make one yourself?
Can you buy it second hand?
These questions may seem simple, but they can make a big difference in reducing unnecessary consumption and waste. Opting for sustainable choices like buying second-hand or making your own products not only reduces waste but also saves money. For example, I’ve completely cut eyeliner, eyeshadow, and blush from my beauty routine. I’ve also swapped aerosol cans of dry shampoo for cornstarch (packaged in compostable cardboard and a natural moisture absorber).
Taking these small steps can help create a more eco-friendly lifestyle and contribute towards saving the planet for future generations.
Step 5: Utilize the Purchasing Framework.
Still need to make a purchase? No sweat – we all buy lots of items each week. If you can, ask yourself these questions while you’re making the purchase.
Purchase Considerations (PCs):
Packaging: How much of this product is packaging that will get thrown away immediately, before I use the product? What gets thrown away after one use?
Durability: How long will this product last me?
Disposal: How much can I “5R”?
Many of the products we use daily come in excess amounts of packaging or are single use. When deciding between two different product variations or brands, we should consider the amount of waste associated with each.
Some examples of waste-ridden products:
Cookies: look for brands that come in sleeves with just one plastic casing, instead of a three-parts: cardboard box, plastic casing, and plastic tray.
Floss: stop using any kind of single use floss picks, which generate large amounts of plastic waste after each use. Switch to a dispenser instead.
Tampons: many tampons come in plastic wrapping, with large plastic applicators. During beach sweeps, some of the most common items found are plastic tampon applicators. This is because they wash out to the ocean through our sewer system and generally don’t biodegrade. Consider brands like Obi instead that have no applicator and significantly less waste. Or even better, use a reusable cup.
Next, considering durability or length of use is extremely important when cutting your waste. You should always consider buying items that will last you longer. This often means spending a little more money, but if you can afford to do that, you may save money long term because you don’t need to replace it!
Last, take note of what will be left after you finish using the product, and select items that can be repurposed, composted, or recycled (in this order).
There is a fourth PC we can consider, which is how an item is sourced or manufactured. While this can be incredibly important since it not only impacts waste upstream, but it also often has implications on human or animal welfare, it’s not something that manufacturers usually make very transparent and is out of our control. If you’re interested in supporting brands that focus on sustainability, then buying products that we recommend on this site or researching whether a company is a B Corp or 1% for the Planet member is a good place to start.
Keeping The Balance With Eco-Friendly Living.
Because we make thousands of choices in our daily lives, we have thousands of opportunities to make better decisions for the planet. And often, these decisions also happen to be better for ourselves. Less processed foods are generally healthier. Less waste might mean we’re consuming less and saving more money. But does all of this have you feeling overwhelmed?
What’s important to keep in mind is that we’re not perfect. Striving for perfection when it comes to reducing our waste and making more eco-forward choices can drive someone crazy (we know… we’ve tried). If you find yourself getting consumed by your consumption (or lack thereof), step back and take a deep breath. We’re only humans living in an already functioning capitalist society.
Try to keep in mind that even our make small efforts, single decisions, can improve our relationship with and longevity of Planet Earth.
Note: We are not medical professionals and we suggest speaking to a medical professional about any mental health issues that you are experiencing.
At the end of the day, adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle is not about being perfect; it’s about making small changes that add up over time. It’s about making conscious decisions and taking responsibility for our actions. By reducing waste, re-using and recycling items, and supporting sustainable practices, we can all make a difference. The five simple steps outlined in this blog provide a framework to help you get started on your journey towards an eco-friendly lifestyle. If you’re interested in learning more tips and tricks on how to live sustainably, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates and resources.
5 Simple Steps to Eco-Friendly Living
5 Simple Steps to Create a More Eco-Friendly Lifestyle
You want to make a positive impact on the environment, but where to start? The answer lies in our daily habits and lifestyle choices. By taking an eco-forward approach to some minor decisions in our lives, we can have a major impact on the Planet. These small decisions are examples of what we like to call Unshellfish Living. In this article, we’ll share how you will start to recognize when to turn off the advertising noise, understand the Five R’s of Sustainable Living, and learn how pre-purchase decisions can make a big impact. We will also introduce you to our Purchasing Framework, which is designed to help you make informed and sustainable choices when shopping for products. So let’s get started on this journey towards a greener future!
Step 1: Stop Listening. Advertising is everywhere.
We live in a world where advertising is everywhere, especially when we’re scrolling on our phones for 180+ minutes each a day. Not only are we overloaded with images of what perfect strangers wore during their workout this morning, but we also see ads on billboards, TV commercials, and podcasts. The goal of advertising is to get you to spend money, very often on things you don’t need. Stop listening to what others are saying you need, turn off that constant stream of noise that is surrounding you, and start thinking about what you actually want in your life. Become a thoughtful consumer.
By tuning out these messages and focusing on what truly matters – taking care of ourselves and our planet – we can take the first step towards living a more sustainable life.
Step 2: Rehash Your Trash.
Every year the world generates 1.3 BILLION tons of trash, according to the LA Times and World Bank Research. This is a problem for a plethora of reasons – habitat and wildlife destruction, methane emissions that cause global warming and climate change, and toxicity to humans that have been linked to human reproductive health issues, obesity, diabetes, and cancer.
We generally stop thinking about things as soon as they hit the trash can. But this simple act is having major impact on the health of the planet and its inhabitants. The challenge? For just for one day, ignore the drive to let out of site be out of mind! Each time you toss a wrapper, paper towel, or iced coffee cup in the trash, take mental note. Did you absolutely need to use that item? Probably. Could you have used an alternative product that didn’t produce waste OR potentially use an alternative disposal method that is more environmentally friendly? Likely! We’ll learn about alternative disposal methods and the 5Rs in the next step.
For now, you’ll be amazed at how much you throw away each day. Taking note of what you’re disposing of is one small step you can take to recognize the impact you have on our planet, and the opportunity you have to live healthier (and even save money!) by consuming less. By making small adjustments to our daily habits, we can all contribute towards creating a greener and healthier planet.
Step 3. Practice the 5 R's of Sustainable Living.
Step 3 in creating an eco-friendly lifestyle is to learn the 5 R’s of sustainable living – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Rot & Recycle (in priority order).
By following these simple steps, it’s possible to lead a more sustainable life while reducing waste and protecting the environment around us.
Step 4. How Small Pre-Purchase Decisions Make a Big Impact.
Step 4 of creating an eco-friendly lifestyle involves making small pre-purchase decisions that have a big impact. Before purchasing anything new, it is important to take a moment to think and consider the following Pre-Purchase Considerations (PPCs):
These questions may seem simple, but they can make a big difference in reducing unnecessary consumption and waste. Opting for sustainable choices like buying second-hand or making your own products not only reduces waste but also saves money. For example, I’ve completely cut eyeliner, eyeshadow, and blush from my beauty routine. I’ve also swapped aerosol cans of dry shampoo for cornstarch (packaged in compostable cardboard and a natural moisture absorber).
Taking these small steps can help create a more eco-friendly lifestyle and contribute towards saving the planet for future generations.
Step 5: Utilize the Purchasing Framework.
Still need to make a purchase? No sweat – we all buy lots of items each week. If you can, ask yourself these questions while you’re making the purchase.
Purchase Considerations (PCs):
Many of the products we use daily come in excess amounts of packaging or are single use. When deciding between two different product variations or brands, we should consider the amount of waste associated with each.
Some examples of waste-ridden products:
Next, considering durability or length of use is extremely important when cutting your waste. You should always consider buying items that will last you longer. This often means spending a little more money, but if you can afford to do that, you may save money long term because you don’t need to replace it!
Last, take note of what will be left after you finish using the product, and select items that can be repurposed, composted, or recycled (in this order).
There is a fourth PC we can consider, which is how an item is sourced or manufactured. While this can be incredibly important since it not only impacts waste upstream, but it also often has implications on human or animal welfare, it’s not something that manufacturers usually make very transparent and is out of our control. If you’re interested in supporting brands that focus on sustainability, then buying products that we recommend on this site or researching whether a company is a B Corp or 1% for the Planet member is a good place to start.
Keeping The Balance With Eco-Friendly Living.
Because we make thousands of choices in our daily lives, we have thousands of opportunities to make better decisions for the planet. And often, these decisions also happen to be better for ourselves. Less processed foods are generally healthier. Less waste might mean we’re consuming less and saving more money. But does all of this have you feeling overwhelmed?
What’s important to keep in mind is that we’re not perfect. Striving for perfection when it comes to reducing our waste and making more eco-forward choices can drive someone crazy (we know… we’ve tried). If you find yourself getting consumed by your consumption (or lack thereof), step back and take a deep breath. We’re only humans living in an already functioning capitalist society.
Try to keep in mind that even our make small efforts, single decisions, can improve our relationship with and longevity of Planet Earth.
Note: We are not medical professionals and we suggest speaking to a medical professional about any mental health issues that you are experiencing.
At the end of the day, adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle is not about being perfect; it’s about making small changes that add up over time. It’s about making conscious decisions and taking responsibility for our actions. By reducing waste, re-using and recycling items, and supporting sustainable practices, we can all make a difference. The five simple steps outlined in this blog provide a framework to help you get started on your journey towards an eco-friendly lifestyle. If you’re interested in learning more tips and tricks on how to live sustainably, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates and resources.