Here at EcoVibe, we know that getting started living sustainably isn’t always easy. With so many bits of advice out how to go green out there, from composting to veganism, we know it might feel a little overwhelming! But don’t worry, we’re here to help, with our simple and easy tips for how to get started on your eco-journey.
So, where to begin on your journey to more sustainable living?
Swap out the items you use most often
Start by assessing which areas you’re making a lot of waste and focus on these first. Using loads of plastic bags when you do your shopping at the supermarkets? Invest in a couple of reusable grocery bags. Throwing out dishwashing sponges and scourers every few weeks? Consider swapping them out for plant-based and biodegradable alternatives like these.
Or a really simple, but often overlooked one, could you swap to an energy provider with green credentials like Bulb or Octopus? Their electricity comes from 100% renewable electricity from solar, wind and hydro and their gas is carbon-neutral too.
Making more sustainable choices doesn’t need to mean huge lifestyle changes. Often, there’s plenty of simple swaps right in front of us. If make even just one small change, when it’s an item you use frequently, this can really help.
Look for the most affordable swaps
There’s plenty of eco-friendly swaps you can make that don’t need to cost you anything. Could you walk or take public transport instead of driving or catching a cab? This will help you reduce your emissions. Can you amp up your recycling, taking extra care to make sure you’re reusing and recycling everything you can?
Likewise, there are tonnes of ‘accidentally eco’ products out there which are super cheap too. For example, white vinegar can be diluted and used as glass and mirror cleaner; old jam jars, wine bottles and takeaway containers can be reused for storage; and cupboard basics like corn starch works wonderfully as dry shampoo.
Then other eco-friendly swaps can even save you money as well. If you get a lot of coffees on-the-go, lots of chains and independent coffee shops will actually give you money off your hot drinks when you bring a reusable coffee cup. Even better, making your coffee at home and taking it out with you in your reusable cups will save you even more!
Swap one thing at a time
You do not need to buy all your eco-friendly swaps in one go, going green doesn’t happen overnight! What’s more, we all know that if we try to make too many changes in one go, they won’t stick. We’ve all seen the stories about zero waste rock stars who can fit all their waste into one jar etc. etc. And sure, they’re wonderful inspirational leaders, but even they had to start somewhere.
In fact, we’d suggest keeping everything you already have and only swapping it out when you can’t use it anymore – it would be super wasteful to throw out perfectly good items anyway. If you’ve already spent an arm and a hairless leg on razors refills, use them up! But when you run out, consider swapping to a more sustainable alternative like a safety razor – or just grow free and feel liberated if that suits you!
Final thoughts
We promise when you break it down and focus on just one area at a time, it becomes so much more doable. Don’t forget, each of us is on our own journey. Try not to compare your journey or judge others as we all have different experiences, perspectives, and challenges. Instead, use your communities to draw inspiration and share ideas!
Got any tips and tricks of your own about how to get started? Share them in the comments below, we’d love to hear them.