There’s often confusion around what sustainability actually means in regards to your routine and how it looks in your everyday life. The first thing to remember is that it probably looks different to everyone. It’s about making thoughtful choices, reducing waste gradually and adopting new habits that don’t contribute to damaging the environment or excessive waste. It’s got to be realistic though, and fit into your life, which is why we want to discuss what does it mean to be sustainable today.
Sustainability Doesn’t Mean Perfection
Being sustainable at home can mean a few small habits that help out the environment in your own little way. Lots of people making these small, seemingly insignificant changes actually do result in a bigger impact.
We did the math, you can save over a thousand cotton pads a year from landfill by switching to reusable pads. With only twelve of them and washing them less than once a week for the year, you save those thousand cotton pads from ending up as more plastic that won’t compose away for many, many years. Do that for five years and save five thousand pads, and if a hundred others did it, it results in quite a big impact from an action that seems pretty small at the time.
It’s about balance too isn’t it? Some swaps are easy to make, not too expensive and pay themselves off quickly, but others I suppose, like solar panels, are a bit more of an investment up front and take longer to feel worth it, so remember to embrace the imperfection and don’t feel guilty, small swaps add up to a lot.
Small Sustainable Choices Can Make a Difference
As we mentioned above, small sustainable choices can result in a big impact over time, saving you money, and improving your carbon footprint. We talk about this some more in our blog, How to be more eco friendly without feeling overwhelmed.
Sustainability doesn’t have to mean switching a product for something either, even just being more mindful of how you shop and consume is a great way to start. Think of shoes, investing in one good pair of shoes that last you five years is a lot better than ten pairs that are cheaper but last six months each. You’ve consumed less, and probably saved money in the long run, although we appreciate this isn’t always possible in today’s financial climate. This can apply to smaller purchases though too, being aware of impulse shopping and buying cheap things that will end up in a drawer or broken adds to your carbon footprint, especially when they are often flown from other countries.
Shopping small and handmade is also a great way to support sustainability, small businesses handmake their goods, keeping things in the country and often producing their items of a higher quality than cheaper online versions.
Sustainable Living Looks Different for Everyone
How you live can have a big impact on the habits and routines you are able to adapt to. Busy life with a family may make it harder to use things that require washing, or it could make it easier since you’re washing things all the time anyway, it’s a balance of seeing what fits into your life without too much disruption.
Budgets will also make a difference, when we did our pad math, the pads actually paid for themselves in less than a year. But I know the feeling, those cotton pads are so cheap for so many, but as your reusable pads would last for years to come, they do start saving you money in less time than you think.
Why Thoughtful Consumption Matters
Being thoughtful in what we consume helps keep plastic from landfill, think about how many cheap, silly, novelty things get purchased and very quickly discarded. Even something like using a refillable coffee cup or a reusable face cloth instead of their single-use alternatives adds up to a big impact if everyone was to make a small change.
Think quality when you shop, how often will you actually use this, can I reuse it, just the thoughts that make you step back and consider whether this is an impulse purchase will help to curb those consumption habits we’ve all been pushed into nowadays.
Building Sustainable Habits Gradually
Building habits around sustainability is a journey, just like building habits around healthy eating or fitness. It’s a journey best done in stages that suit your lifestyle. Not every eco swap will work out and sometimes you need to buy things cheap, but even being aware of things like this and more thoughtful is a step in the right direction!
If you enjoyed this blog post, we also write about eco friendly gifting here and all about eco swaps here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sustainable Living
1. What does it mean to be sustainable in everyday life?
Being sustainable in everyday life means making thoughtful choices that reduce waste and lessen your impact on the environment. It doesn't require perfection – it's about building realistic habits that fit your lifestyle and making small changes over time.
2. Do I have to be perfect to live sustainably?
No. Sustainable living isn't about doing everything perfectly. Even small, manageable changes can make a positive difference over time, and it's important to choose habits that work for your lifestyle and budget.
3. Can small eco-friendly changes really make a difference?
Yes. Small changes may seem insignificant on their own, but when repeated over time or adopted by lots of people, they can have a much bigger impact. Swapping single-use products for reusable alternatives is one example of how small habits can reduce waste.
4. What are some simple ways to become more sustainable?
Simple ways to become more sustainable include using reusable alternatives to single-use items, choosing products that last longer, shopping more thoughtfully and avoiding unnecessary impulse purchases. Starting with one or two small changes is often the easiest approach.
5. Why is thoughtful consumption important?
Thoughtful consumption helps reduce waste by encouraging you to buy products you'll genuinely use and keep for longer. Choosing quality items and considering whether something is really needed can help reduce your environmental impact.
6. Is buying fewer, better-quality products more sustainable?
In many cases, yes. Investing in products that last longer can reduce waste and the need for frequent replacements. While higher-quality items may cost more initially, they can often save money over time because they don't need replacing as often.
7. Does sustainable living look the same for everyone?
No. Sustainable living is different for everyone because lifestyles, routines and budgets vary. The best sustainable habits are the ones that fit naturally into your everyday life and are realistic for you to maintain.
8. Are reusable products worth the investment?
Reusable products can often save money over time because they're designed to be used again and again. For example, switching from disposable cotton pads to reusable skincare pads can reduce waste while also lowering long-term costs.
9. Why should I support handmade and small businesses?
Shopping with small, handmade businesses can support more thoughtful production and often means buying products made in smaller quantities with greater attention to quality. Choosing well-made items that last longer can also help reduce unnecessary waste.
10. How can I build sustainable habits that last?
The best way to build sustainable habits is to introduce changes gradually rather than trying to do everything at once. Starting with realistic eco swaps and focusing on progress instead of perfection makes it easier to create habits that stick.
