Sustainable Living Practices for Beginners
Background:
I have always disliked wasting food and items when they could be put to better use. My passion for sustainability has grown gradually throughout my life, and I want to share some of the things I have tried—both successes and failures.
Introduction:
Taking small steps is usually the key to success. Similar to dieting, if you dive into sustainable living practices too quickly, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. It’s also important to remember that learning sustainable practices takes time, and nobody is perfect! Take your time and compromise where you can. You don't have to give away everything you love just to be more sustainable.
Step 1: Minimalism
Practicing minimalism is a great way to declutter both your space and your mind. This practice doesn’t need to be overwhelming—take it one space at a time and evaluate each item. Does it still serve you? Do you truly need it? When was the last time you used it? Watching the Netflix documentary Less is Now helped me shift my mindset about the "stuff" I had been collecting. The benefits of practicing minimalism extend beyond having a more organized space; they also influence our purchasing habits, making us more intentional consumers.
Step 2: Responsible Purchasing Habits
A great practice is to carefully consider your purchases. I do a lot of my shopping online, which allows me to create lists and save items for later. I keep things in my cart for at least 24 hours before purchasing, giving me time to reassess whether I truly need the item and if it’s worth the investment. This habit also helps me with my personal finances because I am better able to budget and track my purchases. If you shop in stores, try shopping at local businesses to support the local economy and small business owners. Think about your purchases as best you can while you're there. Look at the item and ask yourself, do I need this? Will this item serve me in a positive way? When I started this practice, I found myself setting a lot more items back down.
Step 3: Smarter Technology Choices
When replacing technology, consider trade-in deals or recycling programs in your area. Opt for rechargeable products instead of those requiring disposable batteries.
Step 4: Recycling and Composting
If recycling is available in your area, take advantage of it! For those living in communities where recycling isn’t provided, look into local recycling plants that accept drop-offs. Many locations even offer Christmas tree recycling programs. There are also paid programs that schedule pickups for various recyclable materials. Research what is recyclable in your county. You can find this information on the county website. Plastics with higher numbers (labeled inside the recycling symbol) are less recyclable and may not be recyclable in your area.
If you have a yard, try composting using piles or containers. Compost can be used in gardens, mixed into potting soil, or donated to local farms. If outdoor composting isn’t an option, consider worm bins for indoor use or countertop composters. Some programs even provide compost bins and collect your waste to be donated to farms.
Step 5: Reducing Plastic Usage
Finding plastic-free alternatives that work for you can take time, but it’s worth the effort. Always use what you have before switching to sustainable alternatives. For example, finish your current shampoo and conditioner bottles before trying shampoo bars. Use up single-use plastic bags before investing in reusable alternatives like Stasher bags.
Bathroom: While it's not imposible to go completly plastic free in your bathroom, it isn't always the easiest process. I'm still discovering new products to see what works best for me. Compirmise is key here. If you don't think you can give up a product with plastic packaging, reach out to the manufacturer and ask for a plastic-free version! If recycling is an option for you, make the effort to recycle plastic packaging. Additionally, reuce your water wastage by getting a water usage tracking shower head like Hai or water tracking valves. Put a bucket in the shower to collect water while it heats up. You can use this to water plants or fill up himidifiers.
Shampoo/ conditioner bars
Body and shave bars
Biodegradable loofahs or soap bags
Metal razors
Hand soap bars
Reusable towels or makeup remover wipes
Brushes made from biodegradable materials
Toothpaste in recyclable packaging
Biodegradable toothbrushes or electric toothbrush heads
Chapstick with cardboard packaging (my favorite is called Poppy and Pout in the Blood Orange and Mint scent)
Glass or metal nail files
Plastic-free skincare products
Look for containers made of glass with metal lids
Lotion bars
Plastic-free deodorant
Oils like Jojoba or serums in glass jars
Kitchen:
Keep track of food expiration dates to minimize food waste. According to statistics in 2025 from RTS, the world wastes about 2.5 billion tons of food every year. The U.S. alone discards nearly 60 million tons annually, more than any other country. Organizing your fridge and labeling food dates can help reduce waste significantly.
Buy reusable ziplock bags like Stasher bags or compostable ziplocks
Use glass tupperware insead of plastics
Use waxed cloth and food huggers instead of plastic wrap
Buy mixing bowls with lids to reduce dish and plastic wrap usage
Use biodegradable sponges, sweedish dishcloths, and reusable wood scruber brushes to clean dishes and counters
Switch to compostable trash bags instead of plastic ones
Bedroom:
Replace old sheets with natural fiber alternatives like linen or cotton
Wash pillows to extend their lifespan
When replacing your mattress, look into sustainable options like Avocado Green mattresses
Replace furniture like dressers, bed frames, and nightstands by shopping at thrift shops and flea markets. Buying used helps reduce waste and the need for new items to be manufactured. If you can't find what you nedd or prefer to buy new, look into companies that practice sustainable manufacturing and have ethical workplace standards.
Cleaning Supplies: In todays world, typical household cleaning products contain harmful chemicals which can adversley affect human health. This can also affect the health of our household pets who typically spend most of their lives inside our households, which don't always have proper ventelatiuon. Replace dangerous chemicals with more natural solutions that work just as effectively. Here are some ingredients you can use, some of which you likely already own.
White Vinegar
Baking soda
Laundry concentrate bars and stain remover bars
Laundry sheets
Wool dryer balls
Isopropyl alcohol
Essential oils (which are naturallly derived rather than fragance oils that are synthetic)
Lemon Juice
Alternatively, you can try sustainable cleaning products offered in stores and online like Grove & Co. and Blueland
Other Household Items and Areas:
When replacing flooring, opt for natural materials like wool carpets and hardwood over plastic-based options like LVT and synthetic carpets
If you don't already have household items that are usually made from plastic like toilet cleaning brushes, plungers, or brooms, consider options made from wood and more sustainable materials
When bpurchasing clothing, look for fabrics made from recycled material or natural fibers. Plastic-based clothing can release microplastics into our laundry water and even into our skin, especially when our pores are open. Microplastics are proven to contain cancer-causing materials and will continue to poision us and our planet if we don't find solutions to slow or remedy this issue
When painting or refinishing, select water-based paints and eco-friendly solutions
Conclusion:
By making small, mindful changes, sustainable living can become an easy and rewarding part of everyday life. Every step counts!