Sustainability: A Simple Guide to Living More Sustainably, Starting Today

It is said, we don't inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. It's a powerful concept and one worth taking to heart. (And one I also talked about in last week’s blog post!)

So what is sustainability anyway? It's the ability to exist constantly; the capacity for Earth's biosphere and civilization to co-exist. It's focusing on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

In other words, to pursue sustainability is to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and our planet (nature) can exist in productive harmony now and in the future.

Let's start by breaking down three types of sustainability: social, economic and environmental, also known as people, profit and planet. Ideally, people are socially progressive, profit is environmentally conscious, and the planet is fiscally sound, nature thriving. 

Social sustainability is defined by equality and diversity, quality of life, social cohesion, democracy and governance, law and ethics. It's a process for creating sustainable successful places that promote wellbeing by understanding what people need from the places they live and work.

Economic sustainability refers to practices that support long-term economic growth without negatively impacting social, environmental, and cultural aspects of the community. It's the way an economy operates in a sustainable manner, protecting social and environmental elements.

Environmental sustainability is the responsibility to conserve natural resources and protect global ecosystems to support health and wellbeing, now and in the future. In order to have healthy communities, we need clean air, natural resources, and a nontoxic environment. Of course this includes examples such as wind energy, solar energy, and crop rotation, but it also includes simpler things that can be done on a daily basis by me and you.

And that's what we're talking about today: how to begin living more sustainably. Because you CAN do it, and it DOES make a difference!

But first, why is it important? Well, because we are currently producing resources, using energy, and creating waste at a rate that is not sustainable. As a result, pollution and other environmental issues are causing harm to the environment, humans, and wildlife. But, by making small changes to your daily lifestyle, you can reduce your carbon footprint and inspire others to do the same, creating a ripple affect, and helping resolve these issues.

 Here are a couple simple ways you can live more sustainably today: 

• Ditch the Disposables. Replace commonly used and single-use items with reusable options for an easy sustainability switch! Everything from straws to shopping bags, and your kitchen to your bathroom, there are so many places to make a shift. 

Some of our favorite reusable options to replace the common disposables are: stainless steel straws, bamboo utensils, insulated water bottle, stainless steel to-go food container, canvas totes, hemp produce bag, mesh bags, reusable towels (over paper towels), mason jars, glass food storage containers, silicone freezer bags, eco food wrap, lined canvas food bags, reusable cotton rounds, refillable glass dental floss containers, menstrual cup, period panties, dryer balls, refillable glass spray bottle for Thieves** (our FAVORITE household cleaner)

If you make a conscious plan to shift into living a more sustainable lifestyle, you will discover that the benefits far outweigh the initial inconvenience of implementing new habits. Meaning, yes, the first several trips to the grocery store using reusable totes, you will likely have to make a trip back to your car to get the bags you forgot to bring in with you. Yes, you'll have to keep inventory of your dental floss to account for time to order refills online since it's not something you can run to the nearest corner store and pick up. And you'll have to learn to ignore everything negative you've heard people (who have never tried them) say about menstrual cups and period panties, and just go for it (P.S. so worth it; however, if you're not there yet, consider switching to organic cotton tampons with cardboard applicator).

Because once you've made one—and then another, and then another—of these small changes to your lifestyle choices, you begin to realize that it feels really, really good. You're vibrating higher. You feel more connected to the planet. And you start to notice all the incredible ways your life is improving; ways you didn't even consider before. I've never drank as much water in my life as I do now that we are in the habit of keeping reusable water bottles with us 24/7. And let's talk simplicity. Do you know how many bottles of cleaning products I have in my home? Want to guess?! 

ONE! That's it! For over 3 years, I've only used ONE clean, toxic-free, concentrated product to clean everything in my home. And it's the best ever. All natural and smells divine. None of that harsh, chemical smell that makes you feel like you can't breathe. Friends, if you're still using these kinds of products, please know there's another way! **I simply mix it in a glass spray bottle to clean all surfaces using lint-free, reusable cloths, or dilute it with water for mopping

Sometimes, you don't even need a reusable option; you can skip it altogether. Skip the straw. Carry out that one item you bought at the store in your hand. Let the restaurant know you don't need utensils with your to-go order because you'll be using the ones at your house. It will take practice in remembering at first, but it will become habit soon after. 

• Turn Off the Lights. And I'll glow. (lol. I had to do it) I'm the first one on board for some mood lighting, I promise! I'm not telling you to sit around in the dark here.  But there's a time and a place for having lights on. Whenever possible, open the windows and let the sunshine flood into the room. By all means, turn the light on when you need it, but flip it off when you're not using it or if you're leaving the room. The major takeaway here is to make sure we don't have every light in the house on...at the same time, or all the time.

While we're talking about lights, it's a great time to mention swapping to LED lightbulbs. They last longer and use around 75% less energy, which means you'll be saving money and helping the planet. Win, win.  

• Reduce and Reuse, Recycle and Upcycle. Reduce your amount of waste from the get. For example, when I go grocery shopping, I buy bulk whenever possible (using mesh bags and mason jars at the store, then storing in glass storage containers at home). I also skip plastic produce bags altogether; I put everything directly into hemp produce bags. You can reduce paper waste by going paperless with bills and such. 

When entertaining or simply eating by yourself/with family, use washable serve-ware, plates, cups, utensils and napkins over disposable. 

Reduce the amount of plastic you consume, specifically. When we chose to "stop using plastic" 3 years ago (which = greatly minimize our plastic consumption; we are not plastic free), I didn't really realize what a game changer this one would be. Plastic is literally everywhere, and it's actually been super fun discovering creative ways to avoid plastic. I'll share an entire blog post on how we have been phasing plastic out of our lives and link it here when I do. What an adventure and huge opportunity for learning and growth.

Reuse whatever you can. Glass jars, gift bags + tissue paper, ziplocks and plastic food storage (if you're using these, I recently saw in Target that they now carry a line of plastic storage bags, freezer bags, and cling wrap made from plants and 100% compostable within 12 months! AWESOME!), packaging supplies, plus all that stuff we talked about earlier, and more! Yes, reuse things again from their original use, but also be innovative in coming up with new ways to use old items. Get creative here! Because I know you're creative, time to own it! That decorative glass jar the candle was in becomes a cute pen holder for the desk. Going to a baby shower? Instead of gift wrap that will be thrown away, arrange the items in a nice basket or bin the parents-to-be can use for storage in the nursery or closet. 

Another way to reuse is by thrifting, buying consignment, vintage, second hand, and antiques. If you've done any research about the fast fashion industry, you already know how devastating it is for the planet. Donating or selling your old clothes, accessories and items, as well as buying things that have been pre-loved, is a fabulous way to support a more sustainable lifestyle. And you don't have to spend hours sifting through racks either! With companies like ThreadUp (the largest online thrift store), you can do it all from your phone or the comfort of your home. I’ve been thrifting since college and LOVE it. 

Recycle whenever you can. If you live somewhere that doesn't offer curbside recycling, check for drop-off sites in your area. Also, look online for recycling programs. Did you know many companies will send you a free shipping label to return your empty products to them to be properly recycled? Crayola and OralB, for example, offer great recycling programs. And some social impact brands, like Pacifica (I love this brand), even reward your good intentions with credits that can be redeemed for products on their site. It's worth looking into, for sure. 

Upcycle, friends. It's fun! Upcycling, also known as creative reuse, is the process of transforming by-products, waste materials, useless, or unwanted products into new materials or products perceived to be of greater quality, such as artistic value or environmental value. But sometimes, upcycling solves practical purposes, too. 

I'm sure you've seen examples of upcycling before: Old gum and candy wrappers weaved into a purse. Old tires turned into a swing. Old t-shirts sewn into a quilt. Single socks (we've all got them!) made into one-of-a-kind stuffed animals. Plastic collected from the ocean transformed into massive sculptures, like Washed Ashore does. 

I even used to make upcycled clothing back in the day! I'd make dresses and rompers for children from old adult sized t-shirts and clothes, and baby bibs and leg warmers from old sweaters and shirts. I loved it! I'd also make wreaths and accent other projects with strips of fabric made from cutting up old, mostly donated, clothes and linens.

If you've got kids and are looking for a great STEAM activity, upcycling is a terrific place to start. Do a search on Pinterest for STEM or STEAM Upcycling and Recycling projects and just wait to see how many ideas show up!

• Buy Organic. Is buying organic really better for the environment? I believe so. Since it doesn't include the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, organic farming is very sustainable in many aspects. The lack of pesticides and wider variety of plants enhances biodiversity and results in better soil quality and reduced pollution from run-off. No pesticides means nothing is being killed, including non-target organisms like birds, fish, and plants, who can become poisoned from certain pesticides that contaminate the soil, surface, and groundwater. 

From organic food to organic cotton to organic shampoo and beyond. Always consider an organic option first, whenever you can. 

• Buy Fair Trade. What does this mean, and why is it important? When you see the fair trade label on products like coffee, chocolate and clothing, it's a guarantee that the product was traded in a more ethical way. Purchasing products that are fair trade certified can reduce poverty, encourage environmentally friendly production methods, and safeguard humane working conditions. On the other hand, buying products without considering where they come from and under what conditions, can actually contribute to the exploitation of workers in developing countries. 

• Opt for Products with Biodegradable Packaging. By choosing to buy products with biodegradable packaging made from materials like mushroom, starch, soy, cellulose, and other natural fibers which naturally decay into soil over time, you're making a much better choice for the planet than choosing the alternatives packaged in plastic. 

• Be Mindful of Water Usage. Get in the good habit of turning off the water while you brush your teeth, clean vegetables, wash dishes, and hand wash your car. I'm not going to tell you to skip letting your children spend a few hours playing in the sprinkler on a hot summer afternoon. It's life, and I want you to enjoy it to the fullest. I'd rather encourage you to make small, daily adjustments to your lifestyle to live more sustainably for the longterm. 

I think this is a great place to finish up. Are there other things we can do to live more sustainably? Yes, of course. But this is a pretty good starting place. Take inventory of where you are on your journey today, and choose a couple of ways you can make a shift towards a more sustainable lifestyle. 

This is not about perfection, because in case you needed a reminder, perfection isn’t real. This is about doing a little better today than we did yesterday. The more we know, the better we can do. Enjoy life, live big, have fun, and understand that sometimes, you may find yourself in a situation where the stadium doesn't allow you to bring in your reusable water bottle and they only sell water in plastic bottles and you're thirsty... Buy the water, without guilt. It's okay! And I'm speaking from experience here. As long as you're doing your best and consistently making conscious choices, you're doing amazing!

And remember, it's not unusual to need a little time to implement new habits into our routine. Keep going! When you find yourself in the back of the grocery store the moment you realize you forgot to bring your reusable bags in, simply take a deep breath, smile (or maybe even let out a little chuckle), and remind yourself what an awesome human you are. Keep going. You've got this, my friend. The shifts you're making are making a difference.