As we move into a new year, it’s a perfect time to reflect on how we can live more consciously, in harmony with both the earth and ourselves. If reducing waste and making a positive environmental impact are on your mind, you're in the right place!
A common question I hear is, "How do I start living more eco-friendly without feeling overwhelmed?" Valid and relatable. With so many areas to reduce waste—fast fashion, single-use plastics, food waste, and more—it’s easy to feel daunted.
My first advice: Pick a theme and start with 1 to 3 specific changes. Don’t try to tackle multiple things at once; focus on one area and take it step by step. Second advice: Break the year into quarters and work on one theme for those 3 months. This gives you a clear, time-bound way to track your progress. Three months is long enough for meaningful change, but short enough to stay focused.
I like this approach because 1) it gives you a manageable timeframe to practice something new and form new habits, 2) it allows for a regular schedule of self-evaluation, and 3) it keeps you moving forward if something isn't working, rather than feeling defeated.
Here’s how it works: Choose one theme to focus on for the next three months and identify 1 to 3 specific actions. After the quarter, assess whether the changes worked and felt sustainable. If they did, you can deepen your commitment to that theme, or tack on another one. If not, don’t get discouraged—shift gears and try a different theme. This way, you’re sure to make progress. And remember, the goal is progress, not perfection.
To help you get started, here are four themes and actions I’ve taken over time to reduce waste in my own life, along with some resources to guide you:
Quarter One: Reduce Plastic in the Kitchen and in Food
- Action 1: Swap plastic utensils, cutting boards, and prep bowls for non-toxic materials (wood, bamboo, stainless steel).
- Action 2: Replace plastic ziplock bags and Tupperware with glass, ceramic or stainless steel containers.
- Action 3: Use natural cleaning materials (e.g., brushes, plant-fiber sponges, cotton dishcloths).
- Resource: "8 Simple Ways to Cut Back on Plastic in Your Food and at Home"
Quarter Two: Reduce Food Waste
- Action 1: Prioritize eating food that’s close to spoiling (those brown bananas!).
- Action 2: Compost (check out our composting partner Compost Carpool).
- Resource: "Reducing Food Waste: 8 Tips for Home Cooks"
Quarter Three: Reduce Single-Use Plastics
- Action 1: Buy “naked” fruits and veggies and stop using new flimsy plastic bags—just reuse whatever bags you already have.
- Action 2: Bring your own coffee mug to the café and ask them to use it (many now accept your clean container). If they don’t, skip that day’s coffee
- Action 3: Refill soaps, shampoo, body wash, all-purpose cleaner, and more at your local refill store (that's us!)
- Resource: "6 Ways to Reduce Single Use Plastic"
Quarter Four: Reduce Textile Waste
- Action 1: Pause before buying new clothes—ask yourself if you really need it and whether you’ll be able to use it for a long time
- Action 2: If you do need it, check second-hand options first (thrift stores, clothing swaps, Facebook Marketplace).
- Resource: "How Can We Reduce Our Fashion Environmental Impact?"
No matter where you start, remember that every small change counts. Sustainable living is a journey, not a destination. Here’s to a year of mindful actions and positive impact!