10 Tips to Live More Sustainably Everyday
We all play a big part in helping to preserve this beautiful planet we live on, and to reverse the existing damage as much as we can. With the growth of the lab-grown diamond industry and the positive changes being made for consumers to choose from, we’re really excited to be on-board and see what amazing things will happen as the lab-grown diamond industry grows rapidly in the coming years. Aside from purchasing ethical and conflict-free lab-grown diamonds, we put together some essential tips to live more sustainably everyday!
1. Buy reusable carrier bags
A great alternative to one-use plastic carrier bags, reusable bags can be used for groceries, everyday items such as your work lunch, or even just transporting things around during daily errands. These last an incredible amount of time longer than plastic bags, making them really worth the small price. The Conversation states that reusable cotton bags should last 7,100 times longer than plastic bags. A perfect eco-friendly alternative! Plus, you can find cute bags online in a variety of different, unique styles that match your own taste.
2. Invest in reusable straws and water bottles
Plastic straws are one of the worst plastic items we can use for beverages, just one use and then just thrown in the trash. With reusable metal or copper straws, you can wash and rinse then reuse over and over again! The same goes for reusable water bottles. You can get metal, plastic or even bamboo water bottles. These are a great way to cut down on the use of plastic bottles and always have your own to refill whenever needed. Amazon has a variety of reusable bottles in different colors, sizes and brands.
3. Use fabric cloths and rags instead of paper towels
Paper towels are rarely, if ever, recyclable or reusable. Fabric cloths, rags and handkerchiefs are great for cleaning up, using to dry your hands, or for when you’re sick so you don’t need as many paper tissues. These will always come in handy, especially with children or pets in your home. Easy to toss in the wash and reuse again and again for so many daily tasks and cleaning.
4. Do your research on brands you purchase from
Nowadays, a lot of brands are trying to change their business practices and production methods to try and help improve our current climate and earth. You can often find brands that use recycled materials in their products, use conflict-free methods for sourcing their products, or are a just an alternative to an existing product or brand. At MiaDonna, the lab-grown diamonds we have available are a beautiful, conflict-free and cost-effective alternative to earth-mined diamonds, and you know you’re playing a part in helping change the world!
5. Finance tip: Paperless bills and statements!
Instead of getting your bills and useless paper statements sent to you, why not just go completely paper-free? Most banks and credit unions now have paperless billing and direct debit, so you don’t even have to worry about missing a payment, because they’ll just be taken directly from your account on the due date! From credit cards to student loans, Apple Music to Hulu, most anything can be set up with direct debit now so you don’t need to get those paper bills or statements any longer!
6. Be mindful of water usage
Taking longer showers or letting your tap run while you wash dishes can be pretty wasteful when it comes to water conservation. If you tend to take long showers, maybe think about setting a timer and seeing how long you take then seeing where you can cut some time out. Not only will you shorten your use of water, but this will save time for other activities too! Turn your tap off when washing dishes or just fill your sink up so you can wash everything together with less running water. Cutting down water use for washing your clothes is an option too, as many washers have ‘quick wash’ speeds which might cut back on usage!
7. Less plastic; invest in mason jars and reusable glass containers
At this point, many of us have seen photos or videos of the detrimental effect that plastic bags, straws and other one use plastic items have on our entire world. By going plastic free, you’re playing a small role in the bigger picture of how we can all do our part to help restore the planet and make positive changes going forward. Purchase mason jars instead of Tupperware or cardboard boxes. These are great for a variety of daily needs such as storing your lunch, storing different cooking essentials like rice or coconut oil, and even good for your morning coffee or tea! Glass stays good for a lot longer than plastic, and can be recycled and reused for so many different things! Check out the Package Free Shop to see what items you can buy and use over and over again!
8. Buy in bulk
With the variety of new grocery stores and companies transitioning to using less plastic, buying in bulk and investing in reusable glass containers or mason jars is the way to go. At Winco for example, you can buy so many different everyday items in bulk and cut down on one use plastic. From oats and grains, to popcorn, coffee and macaroni, buying these products in bulk not only cuts down on repeatedly buying these products at a normal grocer in 1-2 portion sizes, but now you save money too and can easily access more if needed. You can find lots of specialty shops and grocery stores online who offer buying products in bulk and may even be cheaper than your local store.
9. Conserve energy; lights, appliances and technology!
Leaving a room? Turn off the light. Sleep with your TV on? Maybe think about setting a timer so you don’t leave it on all night. Do you leave your porchlight on all night? You could change that by adding a sensor light that only comes on when someone is near, instead of staying on the whole night. There are so many small steps we can take to conserve energy and power, and by making these changes, you’re not only helping the planet, but you’re most likely cutting down your bills too!
10. Buy local products and foods
Companies like Imperfect Produce are changing the landscape when it comes to food waste and access to cheap, healthy foods. Even the not-so-pretty looking fruits and vegetables are still 100% edible, but people overlook them and think they’ve gone bad. Check out your local Farmers Markets or specialty stores that carry local and often affordable, healthy foods. You’re supporting the local farmers and land, while choosing the healthy, organic options for yourself! It’s a win win.
These are just a few ways you can live a more sustainable life everyday, but as with anything, it takes practice and taking the first step to make the change. Not all of these will work for everyone, but take a look at your life and daily routine to see if you can incorporate even a small change or two to your schedule. They don’t have to be big changes, but if all of us can make small changes as a collective group, the world will start to look brighter and happier for years and generations to come.
