After working on some projects around corporate social responsibility at my last job, I decided to get more active and involved personally in making the world a better place. I joined the leadership team of Net Impact Boston and started educating myself and others on how to be a more conscious consumer. Since moving to Germany, I feel like I’ve been relearning and researching, as many of the brands and stores I came to know and love are now out of my reach. Luckily I moved to a place that takes recycling so seriously, there are five different places to toss your waste (that may be underplaying it too), and where solar and wind energy can be seen off of every major highway. I thought I would share a few tips and changes I’ve made in hopes to educate and inspire others to lead a more sustainable life. I will note, though, that a mere 100 companies are responsible for 71% of global emissions. However, if consumers start demanding more and also call on their local government to acknowledge these issues, we can help, even just a little, as consumers.
Small steps you can take to create less waste
Eat a mostly plant-based diet
Reuse items - I clean out glass jars and use them for organizing spices, storing leftovers, and as makeup brush holders
Say no to single-use - bring your own bags, coffee mugs, and water bottles
Purchase carbon offsets
Compost - many communities offer a place where you can drop it off if you have no use for the final product
Recycle - but also try to buy goods with less packaging and waste
Bike, walk, or take public transit whenever possible
Shop secondhand and donate when you can
Cold wash your clothes - and hang dry
Research the companies you purchase from, especially your beauty products, as there can be a lot of junk in them - What are they doing to create less waste? Try looking at B Corps (variety of businesses), using apps like Think Dirty (beauty), and websites like Good on You (clothing). A few of my favorite shops are Follain, Credo, Package Free Shop, and The Detox Market.
Try to be a more eco-friendly traveler - some tips here
Things I’ve done to create less waste:
Toothpaste bites
Bamboo toothbrush
Reusable napkins, paper towels, and cleaning cloths
Homemade cleaner for my apartment
Clean beauty products
Shopping second hand whenever possible
Repurposing whatever I can for a second life
Reducing my meat consumption
Other great resources to check out:
Favorite websites: Green Matters, Everyday Eco newsletter, Rob Greenfield, Going Zero Waste Blog
Orgs to support: Sierra Club, UN SDGs, Environmental Voter Project, World Wildlife Fund
Do your research - just about everything you use and do these days probably has a more sustainable swap!
It all starts with a small step. While the reality is that bigger organizations need to be the ones to start the real change, by starting small steps at home and demanding less single-use items from those companies, you can help to make an impact by demanding change. Lastly, remember that it’s not about being perfect, but making an effort, that really counts when it comes to trying to make more eco-friendly decisions. Small steps can lead to big change when done right.
