8 Baby Steps to Swapping to a more Sustainable Way of Living

It is very hard to grapple with your own impact on the environment. I cannot even contemplate how to solve the tons and tons of waste, especially plastic we have already tossed over the years. I have difficulty at the supermarket selecting the best products that will do the job I want it to, as well as be environmentally friendly and not add to the worlds waste problem. When I shop, I usually do not carry all these thoughts, however, now I am trying to be a little more thoughtful and organised.

I have downloaded a free App, AnyList - So I do take a list. I have been following the eco -friendly products and trialling them. I am making the ones I like my go to products. I do have bags in my car, I have produce bags in my fridge and cupboards. I make a visit to wholefood sellers and use my bags there.

I am gradually moving to products that are not just a replacement of plastic but in most cases better quality. I am moving in the right direction and certainly not 100% yet but I thought I would share my baby steps with you.

You can investigate these products in more detail by clicking on the images.

 

1 Cleaning

Since most cleaning products comprise mostly of water it seems silly to pay for something that comes out of the tap. I am returning to reusable bottles, dissolvable berries or homemade soaps and cleaning brushes.

2 Shampoo

Like the products above shampoo is another one I have done a swap from plastic containers and chemicals to a natural shampoo bar, that lathers and cleans my hair and scalp beautifully. Using a bar of shampoo is so good for travelling.

 

3 Food Storage

Your plastic food-storage bag use stops here. I am so happy with these eco-friendly products because of their durability, and because the bags are completely washable.

I have swapped to the Mesh Produce Bags 5 Pack (carrying fresh fruit and vegetables).  The Onya Bulk food bags were my starter pack and are so good when purchasing the bulk food products. I use the Organic Bulk Food Bags to store flour and oatmeal, l as these are double bags. I buy bread not in a wrap and so the Bread Bag has meant good - bye to my tea towel cover and yes the bread stays fresh and moisture is not an issue.

4 Cotton Buds

Such a small product that every family uses. I have swapped to the 200 pack cotton buds. They have a bamboo handle; a cotton tip and the cotton buds are a compostable product as is their container.

5 Wheat Brush Toothbrushes

I have been using these for a couple of months. I have found the swap simple as there is no difference in the job they do or the feel of the brushes. What is different is they are compostable and are not adding to the world’s plastic problem.

6 Organic Soapberries

(replacing washing powder or liquid)

This was a very new swap for me. I have followed the instructions to the letter, and I use 5 pods in the bag supplied and add my own essential oil for scent on some things. I am totally sold on these. They last so long, my washing is clean and fresh and the damage to the environment is zero. The pods have the same stain and odour fighting potency of regular detergents with none of the chemicals. They go into the compost bin and continue to disintegrate.

 

7 Wool Dryer Balls

There's simply no need to buy polyester, fragrance-coated, single-use dryer sheets anymore — especially when making the switch to using wool balls to break up your laundry loads. Able to be used in countless dryer cycles for upwards of a year, these softball-sized, 100% wool dryer balls reduce the drying time and the number of wrinkles in each load.  You can use all six balls in the dryer for extra-large loads, or just pop in two or three for a smaller cycle.

 

8 Dog waste Disposable Bag and Carry Pouch

Totally compostable and convenient to click onto your leash. The plastic bags I have been using has not really helped the environment. I clean up but then add to the plastic issue. I am very happy to totally clean up and dispose of it all and know my dogs are not adding to an environmental problem.