{Make Simple & Easy Eco-Friendly Changes One at a Time}
Our everyday choices affect the environment, our communities, and the overall quality of life we have. In an ideal world, we would all have unlimited resources and time to accomplish a complete lifestyle overhaul. However, change that lasts is often a journey and not an afternoon project! Taking the necessary steps to start living in an environment friendly way is a process. It starts with small, do-able tasks that can have a big impact on our world. Here's a list of 100 simple sustainable living ideas to try out - just start with one.
1. Learn How to Fold Hospital Corners
the fitted sheets commonly used today contain elastic polymers, so next time you are due for a new bottom sheet, save money and the planet by purchasing a single top sheet
2. Switch to Soap Bars
reduce the amount of plastic packaging you purchase by switching to old fashioned bars of soap. Now you can buy shampoo, conditioner, moisturizers, exfoliants, and face wash in bar form
3. Use Paper Bags for Dry Goods
ditch the plastic ziplock bags for dry good items like granola, almonds, and banana chips
4. Switch to Waxed Paper Bags for Wet Food Storage
waxed paper baggies are great for items have that have the potential for going stale, leakage, or browning
5. Use Glass Mason Jars Instead of Plastic Containers
just go ahead and buy a crap ton of mason jars for everything because they're just so darned useful!
6. Get a Marble or Bamboo Soap Dish
avoid plastic in your bathroom by switching to materials that are naturally sturdy.
7. Bamboo is Your Kitchens Best Friend
bamboo is an affordable, renewable resource that can replace trivets, cutting boards, storage containers, utensils, and more in your kitchen
8.Use a Glass Tea Kettle or Coffee Press
avoid steeping your coffee or tea in plastic by replacing your electric kettle and coffee makers with glass stovetop versions
9. Get a Stainless Steel Percolator
another great alternative to a plastic coffee maker is a stovetop percolator
10. Try Wooden Clothes Pins Instead of Plastic Chip Clips
wooden clothes pins are an affordable replacement for plastic and metal clips you use in the kitchen, office, and laundry room
11. Use Natural Cooking Twine
replace twist-ties and rubber bands with this affordable alternative
12. Buy From Bulk Bins
boycott excess packaging by taking your own reusable containers to the bulk bin aisle at your grocery store
13. Buy Liquids Stored in Cardboard, Glass, or Metal
14. Use 100% Cotton Dish Rags
instead of paper towels
15. Buy Vinegar
Store vinegar in a glass container to use as a multi-purpose cleaner
16. Use 100% Cotton Washcloths
replace your plastic loofahs with this eco-friendly alternative
17. Use Steel Wool instead of Plastic Sponges
18. Get Rid of Your Electric Coffee Grinder
save energy and reduce the amount of plastic in your home by switching to an all wood or metal hand-crank coffee grinder (better yet, go to Kroger and use the coffee grinder there!)
19. Replace Your Electric Food Processor
switch to a mortar and pestle to save energy
20. Buy Clothes Made from 100% Natural Materials
most man-made fabrics are plastic derivatives, so try natural alternatives including hemp, bamboo, cotton, linen, and leather
21. Use Cloth Napkins Made from Natural Materials
22. Switch to Aluminum Foil or Wax Paper
quit buying plastic wrap for the kitchen and opt for these more environmentally friendly solutions
23. Replace Your Gift Wrap with Butcher Paper or Recycled Newspapers
most wrapping paper is non-recyclable due to the shiny, BPA coating it has
24. Start Buying E-Books or Audio Books
for books that you know are going to be a one-time read, opt for the digital version
25. Replace Grit Removing Cleaning Products with Baking Soda
26. Stop Buying Bottled Water
reduce your plastic consumption by purchasing a sturdy stainless steel water bottle and never look back
27. Buy a Spray Bottle
and mix your own natural cleaning solutions
28. Say No to Plastic Clothes Hangers
when you’re clothes shopping, ask the store to keep the hangers
29. Line Dry Your Clothes
save energy and lengthen the lifespan of your clothes by hanging them up to dry
30. Run the Tap on Cold
use cold water whenever possible to reduce your energy bill and shorten the length of your water usage
31. Set a Timer for Your Showers
use your phone or an egg timer as a friendly reminder to save water
32. Say No to Plastic Shopping Bags
bring your own reusable tote or ask for paper when you’re out shopping
33. Stop Using the Plastic Food Bags in the Veggie Aisle
34. Repair Before You Replace
whether it’s sewing on a button, tightening a table leg, or adding a fresh coat of paint always look for a way to repair your belongings before you replace
35. Re-Sole and Repair Your Shoes
this isn’t possible for all types of shoes (i.e. flip-flops), but if you have invested in a quality pair of shoes, it’s worth looking into finding a local shoe repair shop
36. Re-Purpose Before Shopping
take a whirl through your home and look for creative solutions before you go out to buy a situation-specific item
37. Hit the Charity & Thrift Shops
buy used items whenever possible to save money and reduce the footprint of your belongings
38. Donate or Re-gift Unwanted Items
it’s so easy to chuck things out until you actually imagine - or see - your belongings sitting on top of a landfill so if you can’t recycle or upcycle, pass it on to another person
39. Opt for a Re-Fillable Milk Jug Service
40. Buy Eggs that Come in Cardboard Instead of Styrofoam
41. Use a Light Timer
if you are like me and terrible about remembering to shut off lights, swing by a hardware or garden store to purchase an outdoor timer
42. Choose EnergyStar Rated Appliances
43. Purchase a Remote Controlled Power Strip
stop your TV and electronics from being energy vampires by purchasing a power strip that has an on/off remote control
44. Switch to CFL or LED Lightbulbs
45. Use Energy Efficient Cookware
glass, ceramic, and metal cookware are the most energy efficient items to cook with
46. Adjust Your Thermostat
even if it’s just a few degrees higher or lower than you would prefer, adjusting the temperature a little can make a large impact on your energy usage
47. Make Your Next Mattress Purchase Non-Toxic
when it’s time to replace your mattress, opt for a chemical free mattress made from natural materials
48. Ditch Disposable Razors
buy a metal or wood razor that uses disposable metal blades to reduce plastic waste
49. Launder Your Clothes with Soap Nuts
not joking! this is a natural, sustainable, and low packaging alternative to the standard liquid laundry detergent that we commonly use
50. Compost Your Scraps
find out if there is an affordable compost pickup service near you or a compost pile you can deliver your items to each week
51. Switch to Home Made Pesticides
the internet is chock full of homemade alternatives that save money and keep the chemicals at bay
52. Switch to Recycled Toilet Paper
53. Turn Off the Lights
54. Opt Out of Paper Billing and Notices
55. Unplug Your TV
56. Unplug Your Computer
57. Buy Re-Usable Straws Instead of Disposables
or at least buy paper straws, not plastic
58. Use Re-Chargeable Batteries
59. Donate or Recycle Old Devices
60. Get a Library Card
61. Take a Reusable Travel Mug to the Coffee Shop
62. Stop Buying Laundry Detergent in Plastic Containers
63. Line Small Trash Cans with Paper Bags
64. Use Wood, Glass, or Stone Cutting Boards
ditch your plastic cutting boards and opt for natural materials
65.Stop Buying CDs, DVDs, and CDRs
these items often come with a lot of packaging and are very difficult to recycle, so use a usb drive or electronic files whenever possible
66. Stop Buying Q-Tips
67. Say No to Receipts
68. Paint Your Home with Natural Paints
69. Sign Up for Green Power
find out if your local power station offers renewable energy plans - for example, I pay $4 a month for 2% of my power to be sourced from wind power
70. Determine Your Carbon Foot Print
visit carbonfootprint.com to evaluate the size of your carbon footprint
71. Switch From Liquid Dish Detergent to Powder
72. Quit Dying Your Hair
going natural will save you time and money, make your hair look healthier, and literally stop chemicals from being dumped down the drain
73. Stop Buying Aerosol Spray Products
74. Re-Think Your Christmas Tree
look for alternatives to live or plastic trees such as wood cut-outs or potted plants
75. Say No to Styrofoam Packaging
76. Stop Using Single-Use Coffee Pods
77. Stop Buying Coffee in Plastic Bags
take your own container to the bulk bins or look for coffee that comes in tins or paper bags
78. Invest in a Tea Sphere
reduce your waste by using a tea sphere and buying tea leaves in bulk
79. Switch to Paper Tape
80. Switch from Disposable Lighters to Matches
81. Try a No'Poo Hair Care Routine
82. Use A Cotton Laundry Bag Instead of a Synthetic One
83. Replace Your Plastic Laundry Basket with a Bamboo Bin
84. Try the 333 Capsule Wardrobe Challenge
85. Keep Potted Plants
counter your carbon emissions and get fresh air by maintaining high oxygen producing plants in your home
86. Opt for Organic Soil and Natural Fertilizers
87. Replace Plastic Laundry Hampers with a Natural Material Hamper
88. Avoid the Landfill
always think twice about buying a product that can’t be recycled or donated once used an ask yourself if it’s necessary to buy something that will end up in a landfill
89. Avoid Buying Items with Excess Packaging
90. Make Your Own Juice
91. Bake Your Own Bread
92. Recycle Your Junk Mail
93. Stop Buying Synthetic Textiles
94. Avoid Buying Disposable Products
95. Give Up Gum
gum is actually made from plastic - just ask Google
96. Opt for a Plastic Free Toothbrush
97. Switch to a Plastic-Free Hairbrush
98. Buy or Make Plastic-Free Hair Ties
99. Replace Your Plastic Shower Liner with a 100% Cotton Shower Curtain
100. Buy Cotton Rugs and Floor Matts
having a rug on top of hardwood and concrete floors is proven to lower heating bills
Made it this far? Great! I’ve made this list available as a free, downloadable document. Visit the Freebies page to download this list as a PDF for personal reference.
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