Welcome back to Part 3 of the Seven Steps Toward Sustainable Living. In both our previous blogs, we’ve let you know some of the small changes that you can make that would be immensely beneficial for the world. If you haven’t read Part 1 and Part 2, we would recommend that you analyze those first before you directly begin with this blog.
Practicing sustainability and diving toward sustainable living have been beneficial for many. In recent research conducted by Northern Inyo Healthcare District, it has been confirmed that living a sustainable life would lead to stress-free living, improvements in mental health, and fewer chances of catching serious diseases.
Don’t you think it’s better to practice sustainability when it comes with immense benefits and no such disadvantages? So, let’s dive deep into the third part of the seven steps toward sustainable living and understand some easy yet effective measures to live life more healthily and sustainably.
Shop locally
Did you know more than 1 million metric tons of textiles are thrown away every year in India? Do you think this much waste generation every year would lead a life toward sustainable living? Of course not! Fast fashion brands are one of the major reasons we’re lacking in focus on sustainability. Every other week, these brands come with new trendy clothes and trends, stopping us from living a healthy, sustainable life.
Alternative: Instead of shopping from fast fashion brands, be an eco-conscious buyer next time. Shop locally; your local shops produce clothes with better quality than these brands. Apart from just quality, focus on embracing these local shops and vendors to reduce the production of these killer fashion brands.
Shoe repair and resoling
Well, many of us have probably experienced this at least once in our lifetime. You bought a pair of shoes and wore them only a couple of times, and either the insole or the outsole is completely destroyed. Even though you liked the shoes, you still have to get rid of them because you can’t wear them anymore. Have you ever thought about fixing your shoes instead of investing money in a completely new pair?
Alternative: Instead of throwing your shoes that deserve more life ahead, you probably put them in the trash. Think about the cost-per-wear system. If you’ve invested around INR 2000 in a pair of shoes and have only worn them no more than 10 times, then the cost/wear becomes INR 200, and don’t you think it’s quite expensive? Instead of throwing them, focus on fixing your shoes; this won’t just save your pocket but will also save the environment.
Reusable earthenware and glass containers
Remember the last time you ordered food online and it came in a plastic container? Many restaurants choose to deliver food in containers that are purely made of plastic, and later we re-use them to store food. Well, there’s no harm in reusing those plastic containers, but don’t you think every time you get a plastic container, it will increase pollution later in the future?
Alternative: Instead of plastic containers, we could use glass containers or reusable earthenware to reduce the amount of plastic production overall.
Zero-Waste Personal Care
How often do you purchase a bottle of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc. for your personal hygiene? Well, are you someone who buys a new bottle or pack of personal care products every time they’re finished? And if you’re someone who’s on the path of living a sustainable life, then don’t you think it would be completely against sustainability to buy a completely new plastic container every time?
Alternative: Instead of buying a completely new bottle for the items in your personal care every time, purchase their refill. Many people around us are not even aware that most shampoo bottles, conditioners, and body washes also provide refills for the same. It won’t only save the environment by reducing the production of plastic, but it will also be pocket-friendly
Bulk cleaning supplies
Another step to living a sustainable and plastic-free lifestyle is to buy cleaning items in bulk containers. Buying items in large quantities doesn’t mean buying different bottles of the same item. Focus on buying the largest bottle or container of anything that you use often. By doing this, you can avail of a great discount by purchasing the largest pack of anything, and you will also contribute to the environment by reducing plastic waste.
Remember, sustainable living isn’t about practicing difficult lifestyles; rather, it’s about living your life in a different manner, which will make your life much easier and healthier.
Say NO to chemical-based flooring
More than 90% of modern households have either hardwood or vinyl flooring. Although they definitely look fancy and would impress the people who will be visiting your house, don’t you think living a sustainable life is impossible to achieve if the house you live in doesn’t hold the value of sustainability?
Alternative: You should consider bamboo flooring over hardwood; it won’t just be great in looking but you'll see the difference in adopting sustainability in your house. Or you can either go for upcycled/ or recycled materials or cork for flooring in your house.
Sustainable Living Outdoor Furniture
Who doesn’t want a beautiful house? And the beauty of the house doesn’t only lie on the inside; it lies on the outside as well. Many of you might have a dream of building an outside garden full of beautiful flowers and benches to relax on. Using chemical-based products to modify the garden and using furniture that’s not recycled or sustainable wouldn’t add any value, neither to the garden nor to your life.
Alternative: Prefer using sustainable furniture outside your home to give it a more elegant and value-added vibe. Furnishing with recycled and upcycled materials would be immensely beneficial for the environment as well. Doing this would help you realize the power of sustainable living.