6 Simple Ways to Live Sustainably

6 Simple Ways to Live Sustainably

“Sustainable.” 

This term may feel like a buzzword, as it’s commonly used in today’s society and media, but it’s with good intentions. Sustainable means using the world’s resources in a way that won’t harm our planet long-term while being able to support generations to come. 

Believe it or not, being sustainable is simple and requires small habit adjustments, otherwise known as a sustainable swap. Sustainable swaps can have a massive impact—the more people who participate, the greater the impact—but every small change can benefit our planet. 

It’s as simple as twisting a light bulb. Literally. According to Energy.gov, LED lights use 75% less energy than fluorescent and incandescent. 

From switching out kitchen items to replacing bathroom products, continue reading to learn about top sustainable swap options that will benefit your quality of life and the planet’s. 

What is a Sustainable Swap?

It’s a habit or product that you can swap for more sustainable, environmentally-friendly options. You may think, “Where do I start?”

That’s where we come in! We recommend going room by room to see which products you own and use that may be harmful to the environment. For example, go into your kitchen and check out your dish soap. You’ll want to look for terms like “recycled packaging,” “BPA-free,” or “non-toxic.” If you don’t see these words, it’s time to switch to a cleaner option. 

And there you have it! That’s how you make a sustainable swap. Continue reading to discover more sustainable swap ideas. 

6 Sustainable Swaps to Integrate Into Your Life

1. Beeswax Wraps

Did you grow up using clear plastic wrap to cover leftovers? We did. Did your parents wrap your sandwiches for your school lunch in plastic wrap? We know ours did. Plastic wrap is all past generations have known, but not anymore.

Meet beeswax wrap! Not only do they come in funkier patterns and colours, but they’re also better for the planet and your wallet, as they’re reusable. 

Any time food is covered or packaged in plastic wrap, once the food is gone, it’s tossed in the trash. According to The Plastic Action Centre, plastic wrap contains chemicals that can be toxic when the material sits in landfills, seeping into the ground.

By switching to beeswax wraps, not only do you create less waste, but you’re creating less toxins too. 

2. Waste-Free Body Care

While there are brands who use recyclable packing, going plastic-free is even better! Waste-free body care can include shampoo and soap bars. By choosing products with plastic-free packaging, you’re creating a healthier planet by creating less waste.

Fersk loves being plastic-free, and our cold-pressed, artisanal soaps have all-natural ingredients that are safe for the planet and nourishing to your skin. Natural oils, butters, and botanicals—making a sustainable swap has never been so luxurious, and you can amp up your self-care game while doing it.

3. Eco-Friendly Cleaning Items

Remember that dish soap we talked about? In our opinion, there aren’t enough eco-friendly cleaning products on the market. While they can be rare and hard to find, there are some options out there.

TruEarth makes eco-friendly detergent sheets that dissolve with every wash! You can replace your laundry detergent with them and you won’t have to deal with a clunky bottle after. 

An eco-friendly dish soap brand you may find in your local grocery store is ECOS. They have a biodegradable, chlorine-free blend that is friendly to the environment and follows Earth Friendly’s Zero Waste manufacturing principles. 

In general, when you’re shopping for cleaning products at a store, look for less packaging and make sure the label states that it’s eco-friendly, biodegradable, or free from harmful chemicals. 

4. LED Light Bulbs 

While we chatted about this above, let’s dive into some deeper details. LED is one of the most eco-friendly lighting options. If you don’t already have these bulbs in your house, then consider them! They may cost more upfront than regular light bulbs, but it will actually save you money in the long run, as they last 25 times longer. Since they last longer, this means less waste in our landfills. They also use less energy, putting less of a strain on Earth’s resources. 

Fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury, so when disposed of, they’re not only harmful to our planet, but to us as well. 

Switching to LED lights is a healthier option overall.

5. Bamboo Toothbrushes

Did you also picture pandas rolling around in lush forests or peeling back the layers of a stalk of bamboo? Well, using bamboo toothbrushes can be cute too! Have you seen how aesthetic they are? Their warm wood design is a lovely modern addition to any home, but that’s not the most important benefit to you…

They’re BPA-free!

BPA is a chemical that is used to make plastics and resin. According to Mayo Clinic, it can have adverse brain health effects on children. On top of that, when products with BPA are disposed of, they affect the quality of the soil and lives of the animals and nature. 

6. Stainless Steel Thermoses

We understand that using a paper cup is more convenient, as it’s a one-and-done deal (you can toss it out as soon as it’s empty), but does the convenience really outweigh the effects paper cups have on the environment? In our opinion, absolutely not. 

Not only do they create more waste, but they take down our trees. Every year, 16 billion cups are used and 6.5 million trees are cut down. Wow. Let that sink in.

If it hasn’t registered yet, let us put this into perspective for you. Humans breathe in oxygen and we breathe out carbon dioxide. Trees breathe in carbon dioxide, and they breathe out oxygen. They literally provide us the breath of life and cleanse the air, improving the air quality. 

We’d take more clean air and one minute of washing a reusable thermos over using a paper cup any day, especially if it means protecting us from the effects of a damaged ozone layer

Plant a Tree, Shop Sustainably

These six options for sustainable swaps only scratch the surface. You can do some more research and find out which changes benefit you most and align with your life. We can’t wait to see the changes you make! Message us or share them with us on Instagram, @ferskselfcare. 

Additionally, you can shop sustainably on our site, and every order placed plants a tree. So, by shopping with Fersk, you’re doubling your sustainable efforts. 

We can’t wait to see which changes you make and which products you pick!