With all the environmental issues out there, it can often feel overwhelming when trying to live an eco-friendlier life. The assumption many people make about those living this kind of lifestyle is that it’s incredibly restrictive requiring you to give up many of the products or experiences you love. Just to prove that isn’t the case, here’s a guide to help get you started:
Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle (but like, for real).
We’ve heard the slogan our entire lives, but how much do we follow it? Being more mindful about our impact starts at looking at the things we throw away in that very order. The next time you throw away an old container, ask yourself:
- Is there any way I can reuse this? (In this example, maybe to hold something else, like a planter).
- If not, how can I reduce the packaging in my next purchase?
- Lastly, how do I recycle this?
Those 3 simple words – Reuse, Reduce, Recycle – can transform your perspective on your impact and promote more mindful buying decisions.
Swap out common waste-heavy products with more eco-friendly options.
We live in a time where there are so many options to the waste-producing products we love that perform just as well, if not better. Finding eco-friendly and reusable alternatives can save you money in the long run while giving you the satisfaction of using great products. A couple of examples:
- Using a reusable cup when buying coffee
- Choosing reusable Ziploc bags, cotton wipes, beeswax paper (instead of aluminum foil)
- Using wooden toothbrushes, silk dental floss, and bar soaps instead of shower gels
Simple swaps can make a huge difference in your impact. And side note, the wooden toothbrushes look great on your counter!
Invest in slow beauty products.
We can’t write a Romer article without talking about the beauty industry, which not only contributes to massive amounts of plastic through packaging, but also water waste and unethical, environmentally destructive farming practices to obtain the buzzy natural ingredients we love. Slow beauty products (like Romer Skincare) focus on ethically sourced ingredients and quality over quantity.
We hope this guide inspires you – remember, little changes yield big impacts!