9 Ways to a More Cost-Effective and Sustainable Life

Living a sustainable life has always been on my mind especially since I moved in here at Grandma’s house. Living in northern MN I never had any notion that I wouldn’t do all I could to support our local wildlife and nature. We live here in THEIR woods not the other way around in my opinion. Being a DIYer too really lends to a more sustainable lifestyle as we’re all about building, reusing, fixing and /or buying used whereas buying something new is always a last resort. Striving to be sustainable is alwso an amazing money saver in just about every way too – awesome perk!

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)

It’s easier than you think to have a cost-effective and sustainable lifestyle. But, by making some simple changes to how you think about waste and the products you use, you can save time, money, and the planet. And the great news is that many of the world’s biggest brands are shifting toward being more sustainable. So here are some things you can do today.

Buy Reusable and Refillables

Reducing your waste is one of the most effective ways to achieve sustainability. Globally, people waste a tremendous amount of plastic on single-use items, energy in their homes, and water when they clean and drink. However, you can reuse many everyday items. Food containers, water bottles, and cleaning products fall into this category. Organic shampoos and soaps, for example, are usually zero-waste or made in a highly sustainable way. And many hands and dish soap brands offer refillable products, reducing the amount of packaging used in their products.

Only Buy from Sustainable Brands

Although it is clear that the world’s conscience is shifting toward a more sustainable future, much work remains. Be sure to purchase products that have been sourced ethically, responsibly, and sustainably. There are always organic alternatives for top brands. Consequently, leading brands make sure to change their processes and technology whenever possible. You can judge the effectiveness of a brand by assessing its mission statement on company websites. This enables you to discern whether a brand shares your values.

Recycled Materials are Cost-Effective and Sustainable

There is a lot of carbon produced in factories that refine and process the materials we use. These materials are not sustainable or renewable. However, there are alternatives and recycled materials you can use instead. For example, recycling toilet paper may seem unappealing, but it reduces forest destruction and is entirely safe. Moreover, many items can be replaced with environmentally friendly alternatives these days. Kelp, for instance, is a material that has many uses and is replacing plastic for various things like dinner plates, cutlery, and pouches.

Use Natural and Organic Beauty Products

Like natural soaps and cleaning products, sustainable and natural makeup is available. Unfortunately, many makeup brands still use toxic chemicals and exploit their employees, even in the 21st century. However, some brands are making a difference. An excellent example of a cruelty-free brand is Rihanna’s Fenty, which uses natural and sustainable materials. These products won’t cause allergic reactions, environmental harm, or unsafe working conditions. So you can use them with a clear conscience without fear of harming your skin.

Upcycle Your Old Clothing

Clothing is traditionally passed down from generation to generation in some families. Putting clothing in the garbage just isn’t good. Instead, upcycle your old clothes or wear them until they are no longer usable if you have any clothing. You can do so in the following ways:

• Use colorful sweaters and jumpers to make cushion covers for just about any décor.
• Make a frame for your coolest sports jerseys for displaying them with pride.
• Lacies can be cut up to make homemade chokers, as fashionable now as in the 80s.
• Fashionable Summer shorts can be made from old jeans as the weather comes in.
• Put stitched materials to use to make hand warmers while it’s still a little chilly.

As well as donating old clothes, you can also donate shoes. Those in need can utilize donated garments, or charities will use the proceeds to benefit good causes. Also, you contribute to the sustainability crisis by reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.

Use Brands with Ethical Manufacturing

Companies must state how raw materials are transformed into finished goods in most countries. In some cases, packaging must contain information about ethical practices such as recycling, sustainability, and fair trade options. Therefore, in most cases, all you need to do if you want to switch to sustainable products is read the labels. A product’s packaging may not contain all the information you need, but you can search their website or Google. Brands are now making an effort to become part of the movement as sustainability has become more popular.

Be Cost-Effective and Sustainable with Local Brands

It goes without saying that large corporations pollute more than small businesses. In some towns where Coca-Cola’s bottling plants are located, for example, the company’s factories have contaminated the water supply. But local brands and shops often make their products in equilibrium with the surrounding environment. For example, they source all ingredients sustainably for use as hand-crafted soaps or fresh food items at deli counters. Additionally, local producers work together for supply and demand, which contributes to the local economy.

Replace Hygiene Products with Organics

It was considered a gimmick to use natural hygiene products at one time. Although the public has become more aware of the harm that manufacturing hygiene products such as soap can cause, organic and sustainable products have increased in sales. Natural ingredients are used in hand-crafted soap, for instance, which is green and not harmful to the environment. Also, many organic and natural products come from responsible sourcing. In addition, organic shampoo bars are cheaper and last three times longer than off-the-shelf liquid versions.

Source Sustainable Fashion

Unsavory practices in fashion are no secret, which contributes to the industry’s colorful reputation. For example, there is the exploitation of models, sourcing of animal skins, and underpayment of employees. Therefore, using sustainable materials in bulk-produced clothing such as t-shirts and ripped jeans is a good move by the fashion industry. Some fashion labels are leading the way in making significant changes. Fortunately, there are many sustainable brands you can purchase from such as Patagonia, Lucy & Yak, and Plant Faced Clothing.

Summary

You can immediately begin to be more sustainable. All you need to do is make some minor changes to your shopping habits and waste. Using sustainable brands is an effective good start. But you can also go out of your way to source recycled products and recycle as much of your waste as possible. Yet you can also replace many of your products with organic alternatives.

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)