10 Ways to Live more Sustainably

Everything we do impacts our environment, from the food we eat to the cars we drive.

If we can all just make even the smallest changes, perhaps we can help the environment and our improve our impact on it overall. 

Ultimately, our choices as consumers affect how the world uses the environment.  The more demand we have on the right kind of products, the more they will get made.   It's all about supply & demand and we have the power to change it all. 

We can start to help by making eco-friendly choices right now and it's much easier than you think.  Here are 10 simple ways to start.

1. Donate or Hand Down Clothing.

I've been purging and donating many things during this time at home.  Online marketplaces are great places to unload things as well. This way it stays out of the landfills and someone who really wants it will get it. There are many companies who pick up donations right from your door.  We've also donated a fair bit of furniture to Habitat for Humanity.  If you know any good companies just add it to the comments below.

2. Don't waste food.

Keep left overs, eat it the next day or freeze it. Waste not, want not.  I always say that in my head just before I discard food in the composter.  

3. Do all your bills online - go paperless

4. Hang your clothes to dry:

Now that the warmer weather is here, hanging your clothes outside is a great way to save on energy. After the fridge and the washer, the dryer uses the most energy. A clothesline in the sunshine is a zero-emission alternative (and your laundry will smell terrific). Here are some pointers to get you started. 

5. Switch out your plastic toothbrushes for a biodegradable one.

Plastic toothbrushes take over 400 years to decompose! They settle into the landfill and release chemicals into the air. This results in even more damage to the environment. A lot of this plastic gets broken down into smaller pieces. These small pieces called micro plastics end up being ingested by nearby marine life. One could even end up in your meal. This challenge is a little more difficult because these brushes cost a little more (better if you buy in bulk) & it takes some getting used to using bamboo handle over plastic. I feel like it’s worth it because It helps reduce the plastic in landfills & helps the environment....plus you're not putting plastic in your mouth. Is your toothbrush BPA free? Lemonberry carries the the bamboo toothbrushes w charcoal bristles. (Charcoal bristles are known to absorb chemicals such as chlorine from tap water. The charcoal works by acting like a magnet for plaque and tannins that may stain teeth.) We also have a bamboo toothbrush travel tube. Purchase HERE.

 6. Eat local/seasonal food.

This is a little difficult because we live in Canada and it’s hard to get anything local in the winter but in the warmer months there are lots of markets to attend as well as local farms.When you buy local, it’s fresher and more nutritious. Fruits & vegetables lose their nutrients 24hours after being picked. Buying locally also supports local economy & reduces the carbon footprint. When buying produce, check to see where it’s coming from (posted beside the price) Seasonal eating includes eating fresh fruits and vegetables that haven’t been processed or transported long distances. Processing foods include things like tinning, blanching and dehydrating foods to enhance their life span.  For local shoppinf, we go to Around the Bend a lot, and we buy from Mama Earth. Do you have any other ideas that work for you? Comment Below

7. Put plants in your home.

Indoor plants can purify the air in your home & can even remove toxins/pollutants. In a society that is spending more time indoors, adding some nature is beautiful but also healthy.
Based on NASA research, these are the most effective houseplants for removing air pollutants.
- peace lily
- Florist chrysanthemum
- English ivy
- Snake plant
- Cornstalk dracaena
- Red-edge dracaena
- Broadleaf lady palm
- Flamingo lily
- devil’s ivy
- Lilyturf

8. Replace make-up remover wipes & single use rounds with  reusable rounds & wash cloths.

I used to use single use cotton rounds to take off my make-up every night. Can you imagine the pile of wipes/single use rounds from every woman in just one night?  Apparently makeup remover wipes take years to biodegrade (there may be a few types that biodegrade quicker however - read the materials). I’ve recently started using these new reusable charcoal facial rounds & although it takes a bit of getting use to (they have a different texture than the single use cotton wipes)  I now like them a lot & won’t go back. I was having difficulty finding these rounds for myself so I decided to put them in the store because I know they are not easy to find. Purchase these HERE.

You don’t have to use plastic wrap to store your food - there are other ways: containers, pots, beeswax wax paper, etc. No need to always rely on plastic wrap. I often use an @abeego wrap when storing left overs.  It is made with beeswax, tree resin, and organic jojoba oil infused into a hemp and organic cotton cloth. It molds to the item you are wrapping by the warmth of you hand. It seals very well and is reusable.  What do you use to store food in the fridge? Comment Below.

10. Use eco-friendly cleaning products.

When you use environmentally friendly cleaning products you reduce water pollution, air pollution, climate change, and it’s less toxic for you & your family.

XO Lemonberry