Sustainable Swaps to Help You & The Planet (with 50+ examples)
It’s a time where we all need to be doing our part to support the environment. Generally the things that help the environment are also things that help us and our health. Thankfully these days it’s getting easier and easier to make sustainable choices. So many great sustainable products and solutions are coming to the market and it’s a matter of making simple swaps.
Stop waiting for someone else to come along and fix the problem, it’s up to all of us and we all have a part to play. Live by Ghandi’s famous quote ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world’.
So, let’s get into it. Here are some easy ways we can help the environment:
SHOPPING
Buy a tote bag for your shopping and mesh fruit and veg bags for smaller items - don’t use single use or even the multi use plastic bags, use paper ones if you really have to.
Shop at bulk food stores and refill your own (glass or metal) containers.
Choose products that aren’t wrapped in plastic (when you start doing this you’ll realise how much stuff is wrapped in plastic, don’t support it).
Say no to plastic toys that they give out at the shops.
Buy organic fruit and veg where you can (the pesticides and herbicides are contaminating our water, killing off species and are also detrimental to our health).
Eat less packaged items and opt for real foods that don’t have any packaging (this is also superior for your health).
EATING OUT/ON THE GO
Carry around a glass or stainless steel water bottle and refill it instead of buying bottled water in plastic.
Get a glass, ceramic or steel keep cup and don’t buy coffee unless you have it with you.
Say no to straws, plastic or paper, you don’t need them. If you really want to use a straw, go for a bamboo or steel straw.
Eat in, don’t take away. If you are going to take away, bring your own containers.
Get yourself some bamboo cutlery to avoid using plastic cutlery.
KITCHEN & FOOD
Use glass or stainless steel food containers, not plastic ones. This is also better for us on a hormonal level as plastics contain hormone disruptors, which can leech into our food, especially when we heat it.
Ditch cling wrap and use a beeswax or re-useable wrap instead.
Use silicone pouches instead of zip lock bags.
Swap normal baking paper for silicone baking mats.
Avoid ready made meals, they waste a ton of plastic. Cook your own meals and if you’re short on time batch cook or start meal prepping.
Eat less meat and fewer animal products. When you do choose to eat these things, make sure you’re going as ethical as possible, free range and organic is best (for you, the animals and the environment).
Compost your food scraps.
Don’t waste food, if you have extras, freeze it and eat it later.
Grow your own herbs if you can.
If you like sparkling water, get a Sodastream. Don’t buy it in plastic bottles.
Choose loose leaf tea over tea bags. Grab a stainless steel tea strainer to use instead.
Make your own nut milk with a nut milk bag, this will save you using hundreds of those.
CLEANING
Use a dishwasher to save water. When washing dishes use a bamboo dish brush instead of a plastic dish brush.
Ditch chemical cleaning products (they contaminate our water, pollute our air and are bad for our health).
Hang your laundry with metal pegs, not plastic ones.
CLOTHING
Don’t support fast fashion by buying clothes you don’t need.
Invest in quality pieces made from natural or recycled fibres. Some great fabrics to purchase are bamboo, hemp, organic cotton, wool, etc. Steer clear of polyester, rayon, viscose and other fibres that contain plastic or unnatural materials.
Consider op shopping - there are more than enough clothes already in circulation.
SKINCARE
Use natural skincare (especially ones that get washed down the sink like cleansers and body wash - it’s better for you and the planet). I love browsing Nourished Life for all of my natural skincare needs.
Swap make up wipes for re-usable make up removers.
BATHROOM
Use recycled toilet paper, my personal favourite is Who Gives A Crap.
Jump on the bamboo toothbrush bandwagon.
If you’re a woman with a cycle, use a menstrual cup, period undies and/or reusable pads to cut down on the number of tampons and pads that end up in landfill.
Take shorter showers and consider getting a shower filter.
Brush your hair with a wooden brush instead of a plastic one.
Use a reusable metal razor instead of disposable plastic options.
Use essential oils instead of perfumes. Perfume and fragrances are generally filled with numerous toxic chemicals which get sprayed directly onto our skin (our largest organ).
GENERAL
Throw your trash in the correct bin and make sure you’re recycling.
Stop over consuming. We have way too much stuff. Purchase the necessities and share things you use less often.
Pass on things you no longer use, someone else needs it more than you, don’t leave it sitting in your cupboard because you might use it ‘one day’.
Plant trees and keep plenty of indoor plants (they help clean the air).
Only use air-conditioning and heating when you really need it.
TRAVEL
Catch public transport when you can.
Carpool with other people where possible.
OFFICE
Only print what’s really necessary and make sure you’re using recycled paper.
Try to share resources where possible, rather than having one for everyone.
OTHER
Repair things that break instead of throwing it in the trash and buying something new.
Don’t buy supplements in plastic bottles, choose the ones in glass.
Use your voice. Encourage others to make these changes too!
Just start.
You don’t need to be perfect, just start somewhere. Lead by example. I always say that something is better than nothing. It all adds up, it’s the compound effect - if you use five less shopping bags per week, that’s 260 a year. Every single one matters.
Remember that we vote with our dollar. Everything we spend our money on is something we’re choosing to support. Make sure you’re choosing wisely. Your actions matter, act like it.
For all your sustainable product needs, check out Go For Zero
Spread the word and encourage others to do the same. Together we can make a bigger impact. Please share this post if it resonates with you or tell a friend some of the tips so they can get started too.
About
With over 5 years of experience in the nutrition and natural health industry, I’ve seen time and time again that health doesn’t have to be hard or complicated. It’s all about coming back to the basics, focusing on eating real foods, building healthy habits and getting our mindset right.
