Sustainable Living Does Not Have To Be An Expensive Affair
When we talk about sustainable living most people assume it to be an expensive affair, when in reality it is just the opposite. Conscious consumption not only saves you money, but it can also expand your horizons too. Simply put, when you live a sustainable life, you minimize your impact on the natural world. The practice begins right in your homes with small switches and mindful consumption. Let us tell you ten ways this is possible.
1. Reuse or repurpose everything you already have
Take the things you already have at home and reuse them as much as you can before you go out and buy new. Repurpose the jars and containers that your food and snacks come in to store spices and pulses instead of buying new ones. Always look around your house and brainstorm ways in which you can make something last. Make it your goal to use an item for more than one purpose.
2. Repair, don’t replace
We throw out too many things before even considering the option of mending them to last longer. This point applies to everything from clothing to electronics. Mend, sew or go to your local mechanic or tailor to get something fixed. All you need is to be open to solutions and be willing to change wasteful habits.
3. Swap your kitchen tissues and aluminum foil for cloth
We use foil and tissue on a daily basis, from packing a tiffin box to wrapping those rotis in a hot case without realizing the impact it is having on the environment. If we replaced just these two items in the kitchen with cloth we would not only save on money but also reduce trash. Cloth is washable and reusable, it can be trimmed from old bed sheets not having you spend anything at all to get them.
4. Eat in-season and at home
Buying fruits and vegetables that are in season are not just cost effective but also a good practice for your overall health. Buy vegetables from your local ‘sabji mandi’, this not only helps support your local farmers but also ensures you get fresh produce. Reduce your takeaway and online ordering habits and cook up light and fun meals at home, you will be surprised at the amount of money you will save and in turn reduce all that plastic packaging your food comes in.
5. Take up ‘Do It Yourself’ projects
You might think you don’t have time for DIY’s or that you don’t know where to begin, but trust us once you make up your mind a simple Google search will help you get started. You can make so many things at home, right from facemasks, body scrubs, planters, and pickles from peels. See what interests you and treat it as a new hobby, in the process you will also ease your mind.
6. Use natural ingredients to make cleaners
Look under the sink and you will find a range of commercial cleaners because this is one thing we cannot do without but you can swap these with alternates that are easily made at home. You can choose from lemon peels soaked in vinegar, to baking soda and castor soda. You can also make your own natural detergent by soaking Soapnuts AKA Reetha that are inexpensive and easily available at your local kirana store.
7. Invest in forever products
Reusable stainless steel bottles, metal straws, glass jars, tote bags, ceramic cutlery and so on are all alternates to single use plastic. When you buy something, look at its longevity. When you consciously invest in smart buying you are saving money for future buying. It is important to question the quality of your purchase, only then you will see value in your buying.
8. Prioritize the clothes in your wardrobe
There are so many ways to restyle and repurpose the clothes you already have. Start with the basics and prioritize the ones that are comfortable. There is no shame in repeating your outfits. Don’t stress on buying sustainable clothes, just wear what you own in different ways.
9. Go paperless with bills
Most people do not realize it at the time of shopping but there is an option to say no to your paper bill by refusing a copy. You can request for the same as a digital message or email if necessary. With so many daily shoppers imagine the paper we will save if we just kept this simple point in mind.
10. Think before you toss
This rule applies to waste in the kitchen and waste in general too. Before tossing out your food scrap and peels look at an alternate way to use them. Lemon peels can be used to make cleaners and watermelon peels can be used to make a meal for dinner. When you are unsure how to use them compost them. Your plants will be happy.
Verth is India’s first eco-friendly & zero plastic subscription box. The box aims to make sustainable living easy and affordable as it is a curation of 5–6 handpicked eco-conscious products from brands and artisans across India. Verth is a sustainable lifestyle disguised as a box, making it easy to switch for the better of the Earth.
