By Lesley Webb Peacesake's sustainability editor
If you are becoming overwhelmed with not knowing where to start on your sustainability journey, don’t stress! Your sustainability lifestyle can have an individualistic and creative approach to rethink, reduce and reuse in your home.
Creating a low waste and reusable lifestyle can start anywhere from your bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. Start with choosing one space at a time. Think about what you regularly use in that space...
What items do you use the most?
What items do you throw away most?
What type of material are those items made of?
What items could have reusable substitutions to reduce waste?
Let’s start in the Kitchen!
Reduce
While grocery shopping, think about what type of packaging your products contain. Reduce your plastic usage and switch to paper packaging, glass, or package free. If you’re given the option, switch to paper bags at the checkout counter or bring your own bags.
Reuse
Think about what items could be upcycled instead of recycled. Do you have a few empty Peacesake Candle containers? Clean and reuse these beautiful jars as planters, cute drinking glasses, or storage for loose change. Glass pasta sauce jars can also be upcycled for the same uses or cute smoothie cups.
Have you been ordering take out lately to support local businesses during this pandemic? Save and reuse those plastic containers and plastic utensils. You can also call ahead to inform the restaurant that you don’t need plastic utensils for your order.
Replace
Try to buy less or say goodbye to the paper family - paper plates, paper napkins, & paper towels. If you can invest in cloth napkins, go for it. You can also cut square shapes out of old t-shirts to use for cleaning cloths.
To my coffee drinkers - can we address how wasteful K Cup pods are?
I know those pods are a quick & easy use, but K cup pods contribute to a massive amount of waste. Try switching to a reusable k cup, your good ol’ regular coffee pot maker, or a french press - which will still make an excellent cup of coffee.
To my tea drinkers - loose tea leaves are beautiful. They are also biodegradable. Try swapping your tea bags for loose tea leaves.
With these simple switches in your kitchen, I hope you see your reduction in waste and your creativity blossoming. Remember, this is YOUR sustainable lifestyle. Start at your own pace, be proud of what you can accomplish, and pass your knowledge along.
Live Mindfully. Live Sustainably.
Lesley Webb — Peacesake’s Sustainability Editor
Lesley is a Virginia Beach native who is passionate about environmental conservation. With a degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Lynchburg, her interest bloomed in sustainable living. As a sustainability advocate, she is eager to spread knowledge on reducing waste and lowering your carbon footprint in order to reduce our impact on the environment. Lesley strives to live mindfully with an eco-conscious lifestyle through food, products, health, and education. With this blog, Lesley intends to spread simple sustainably mindful practices.