I’m not sure if you feel the same, but sustainability online can feel intimidating to start. It feels like an all-or-nothing approach is needed, like ‘Right, I’m eco-friendly now, I have to change every chemical in the house, throw away anything single use and make sure everything we use, eat and wear comes from sustainable and ethical places’. But it’s not true, you definitely do not need to change everything at once.
It’s like starting a habit, if you start ten at once it’s likely you won’t be able to stick to it very well, but if you start one or two and get used to them before adding more, you’re more likely to stick with things. We think this applies to being eco friendly too, gradual swaps to your everyday routines, embracing imperfection because that’s the reality of how to be more eco friendly with feeling overwhelmed.
Start with One Small Eco Swap at a Time
Habit stacking is a proven method of adapting your life to new habits that stick. It’s important not to replace everything immediately and expect instant results. Being eco friendly in your everyday routines requires a little bit more thought once you move away from single-use products, which is why starting with just one is a good idea.
Skincare is a great place to start! Think how many cotton pads you can get through taking off makeup, using cleanser and toners, even removing face masks. Reusable skincare pads are a simple swap, you use them just the same, although you will feel how much tougher and softer they are. Instead of throwing them in the bin, throw them in a little wash bag and throw the wash bag in the washing machine next time you need to wash some clothes and they’ll be fresh and ready to use again.
If you’re like us, the washing doesn’t always get done in the most timely fashion, so we built up a nice set of pads that would last us over two weeks if we had to go that long. So if you think not washing frequently enough could be an issue, just get a few more, there’s no rules about having to wash every week!
Most reusable face pads are also handwashable of course, which wouldn’t take much time either, so there are options for a swap this simple. It’s a great one to try out first, we talk about it more over in our blog about eco friendly gifting here.
Focus on Habits that Fit your Lifestyle
The reality is, some eco swaps will stick, and others do not. If you live far away from a town with a refill shop, it’s unlikely you’d find refillable washing up liquid or laundry things a convenient swap to make. But a subscription to a deodorant service that you only have to order once every three months would be a great one to try if you want to go a more natural direction there. We recommend Fussy, the natural deodorant that comes as often as you need it to fit in a refillable case.
It can be easy to feel guilty when eco habits don’t stick, but if you gave it a go and found it didn’t work for you or your family, it’s okay. We live busy lives and things do have to be convenient for us to do them. Another way to be more eco friendly is simply to consume less, you know those cheap purchases that end up in drawers that at the time seem great. We’re guilty of this too, those heat up handwarmers seem great at the time, but when you realise you have to boil them between uses, they soon end up in the back of a drawer.
We kept this in mind when designing our hand warmers, which go in the microwave and can be reusable as much as you want. Shopping for something better quality, handmade or just more convenient can save you in the long term from accumulating lots of junk around your house, and save you money too.
Easy Beginner Eco Swaps That Feel Realistic
Many of us in the UK will have somewhat unknowingly already made an eco swap. In Wales at least, plastic bags started to be charged a few years ago, which encouraged people to bring their own bags. This has led to people finding cute tote bags and patterned bags that feel distinctively theirs, and is a very easy eco swap to try. Just don’t forget them in the boot!
Refillable toiletries are another great idea, as we mentioned Fussy’s refillable deodorant. You can choose scents each time you order for some variety, and they help you to reduce waste, save money, and are also better for the environment as they roll-on instead of being an aerosol can.
‘Honestly, I didn’t expect to be able to stick to eco swaps as well as I have! The deodorant I’ve stuck to for years now, I’ve probably saved so much money over the duration too. It works out to about £4 for a refill, I usually order three at a time and they last me way longer than the advised three months. When I used aerosols, I probably would have to buy a new can every two to three weeks and they weren’t much less than £4 and lasted less time, and were harmful to the environment, so that’s a swap I'm really happy with!’
- Tahlia, Founder
Don’t forget skincare swaps, we talk about these more in our other blog, Eco Friendly Gifts for Thoughtful and Sustainable Living. It’s simple, throwaway cotton pads can be replaced with reusable skincare pads. Exfoliating cloths that are harsh on the skin can be replaced with reusable exfoliating pads, and makeup wipes can be replaced by our face cloths. All swaps that require you to throw them in the wash when you need to and just reuse them time and time again.
Sustainability Isn’t About Being Perfect
While it’s amazing that you want to get an eco swap a try, it shouldn’t be a stressful experience, or make you feel guilty in any way. Working on making yourself, your routines or your home a bit more eco friendly has a surprising impact, on both your carbon footprint, and honestly, your mental health. We found slowing down to intentionally do skincare in the evenings made things feel more intentional and cosy, ideal for a bit of self-care in a busy world.
Check out our other blog about eco friendly gifting to learn more about being eco friendly.
