I set myself the challenge to live more sustainably last year but what changes have I actually made and which ones have stuck in my more sustainable life?
Like most people I decided that 2018 was going to be the year that I really made some changes in how I lived in order to be more sustainable and live in a slightly more eco friendly way. As we are now well and truly into 2019 I decided to take a review of how I’m getting on and thought some of you may also be interested. So here it is, my review, broken down by different areas of life and with some recommendations in there too.
The Food Shop
Starting with the one I’ve definitely found the hardest. My aim was to try and reduce my food miles and plastic consumption but if I’m honest I have really struggled. I’ve tried to buy as much loose fruit and veg as possible but have found it really difficult to avoid all the other plastic wrapped stuff in the supermarket. I’m thinking of trying a veg box….does anyone have any recommendations?
Regarding food miles I’m definitely trying to eat more seasonally but I’m definitely not perfect. There are still plenty of food miles on what I’m eating. Does anyone have any tips for this?
I’m definitely only using bags I’ve taken to the shop though and haven’t paid for even one carrier bag in the past year. Admittedly sometimes I am that person strolling across the carpark juggling arms full of groceries because I’ve forgotten a bag!
The Wardrobe
I’ve actually been really good at shopping. I honestly credit no longer working just off Oxford Street for kicking my shopping habit. The main thing I’ve been buying recently is plants!
The most amazing thing I’ve invested in to do with clothes is my GuppyFriend. We all know we need to be more careful with the amount of single use plastics we use and our cupboards are slowly filling up with reusable alternatives or plastic free options. BUT there are times when we really can’t escape plastic. One of these is when washing synthetic clothes which release tiny fibres with every wash.
Most activewear will be made from a synthetic fibre as well as jumpers, floaty dresses, underwear and socks (polyester, acryclic, nylon etc) and so every time we wash these we’re sending little tiny bits of plastic into the water. This where the GuppyFriend comes in, just pop everything inside and wash as normal and then clear the microplastic fluff out of the seams of the bag and dispose of them in the bin. Super easy! I got mine from Plastic Freedom which is the most amazing website for plastic free living.
The Bathroom
This is the one where I have made some big changes that I really don’t think I’ll stop doing. It was only once I started to think about it that I realised how many single use items there are in the bathroom or at least things that are replaced pretty often.
Deodorant – I have very happily been using a solid deodorant from Lush for the past six months and have to say it’s been so much better than I thought. As a yoga teacher I have my underarms out a lot and do a fair bit of movement and (unless I haven’t noticed) its worked perfectly. I’ve even persuaded mum to go the same way! The one I use is Aromaco but they have a few other options, definitely worth giving a go. Also with it being solid it’s so flipping useful for travelling, no more silly miniatures
Toothbrush – I read an article about how many toothbrushes we use in our lifetime…I can’t remember how many it was now but it definitely made me reassess my toothbrush buying habits. I am now on my third Truthbrush and I love it. The handle is made from organic, sustainable bamboo which is naturally antibacterial and although the bristles right now are still nylon they are working on a more natural bristle. I haven’t tried a solid toothpaste yet but if anyone has any recommendations please let me know.
Shampoo – Ok, I’ll admit I am lucky to have hair that pretty much does what it is told and doesn’t take any extra care but I have been super impressed since recently switching to a solid shampoo. I had heard stories that switching to solid was quite difficult for your hair but so far its going well. I’m using the Jason and the Argan Oil solid shampoo from Lush, it lathers really well, smells delicious and I think my hair is feeling cleaner than before.
Conditioner – The conditioner is the part I am struggling a little with but I’m persevering. I’m currently using the Jungle solid conditioner from Lush which is a little harder to use than the shampoo as it doesn’t lather as easily meaning I’m “combing” it through my hair. As someone with long thick hair this can take a bit more time but if anyone has any conditioner recommendations please send them my way!
Menstrual Cup – One for the ladies! Again disclaimer required I do not have a tricky period at all, its pretty clockwork and not super heavy so I was not worried about giving a menstrual cup a go from that point of view. I’ve been using one for quite a while now and absolutely love it. The first couple of times I used it was a bit awkward and uncomfortable but now I have no worries at all. Not only does it cut down on tampons and pads from an eco point of view but its also so much cheaper! If you’re interested in giving one a go an amazing resource to find the cup for you is Put A Cup in It who have a really useful quiz to find your best options.
I’ve also begun to think about all those chemicals we use to clean the bathroom and kitchen. Surely there are more friendly ways to do that too?
Out and About
Out and about I’ve been much more mindful of rubbish, trying my hardest to not walk past it and pick up as much as I can. It’s not easy and there are some days when I just don’t have a bag on me or I don’t have the time but I figure sometimes is better than never. Whenever I go to the beach or for a walk along the river I always have one of those charity bags that comes through the door with me and try my best to fill that with plastic. It’s amazing how much there is when you start looking.
I’m also taking my water bottle EVERYWHERE. Walks, days in London, nights out, it’s coming with me. I can’t remember the last time I bought a bottle of water. Maybe we should add a Yogipod water bottle to the range?
But as much as this is a post drawing attention to the wins I’ve made at a more sustainable life I know that there is so much more to do. I am in no way perfect nor follow my own rules all the time but I’m becoming more aware and I think that is only a good thing for us all to do.
To continue building that sustainable life I’m setting myself a few more little goals and I’d love your help, so if you have any tips please let me know.
- Reduce food miles
- Find a solid toothpaste
- Look into being more eco friendly with car use
- Offsetting carbon for shipping from India to the UK (all our UK deliveries to you guys are already carbon neutral)
- Grow more of my own food
- Kinder to the planet house cleaning products
Have you made any other changes or do you have any tips for me? Please pop them below