Being Green in a Modern World

I have grown up loving the earth. I spent the majority of my childhood playing make believe in the woods behind my aunt’s house, wading in streams looking for crawdads and anything else that might catch my eye. It only seems right that I would have a soft spot for wanting to preserve something that has brought me so much peace for most of my life.

But being “green” in a modern world can be difficult, especially where I live. We don’t have a lot of options as far as recycling and grocery stores that encourage a “zero waste” lifestyle. It can be hard and I have found myself wondering if I was being a hypocrite. I know I’m not alone.

Here’s the catch: you don’t have to be perfect. Read that again. I am a big believer in progress over perfection. You will drive yourself crazy trying to get it right 100 percent of the time. Take small steps; make good choices. Those small acts add up to big changes over time.

Work with what you have available. Bring your own bags to the grocery store. Pick up litter you see along the street. Do small acts with BIG purpose.

10 Ways to Make a BIG Impact

1. Be mindful of where you shop. Look for companies that are actively trying to do better. Give them your business over other companies you have to choose from.
   Aldi has become my favorite place to grocery shop. I can carry my own bags, the cost is low, and the company is constantly taking efforts to more environmentally conscious.
   Many of my skincare and nutrition products are purchased through Arbonne. They are a certified B Corp and are cruelty free. (And full disclosure: I loved the products and company values so much that I am now a consultant). Arbonne is working very hard to make their products recyclable and have partnered with TerraCycle. Any part of an Arbonne product that cannot be recycled in a traditional manner can be shipped to TerraCycle, where it will be re-purposed into other items such as park benches.
2. Shop second hand. There are so many hidden gems at thrift stores. You can find great clothes and household items at a fraction of the cost while eliminating your need for fast fashion. The amount of water needed to create one pair of jeans is INSANE. It takes roughly 7,000 liters of water to make ONE pair of jeans! That has a major impact on the environment.
   My favorite place to shop is a little Facebook/Poshmark boutique called Uncorked Momma. Its operated by my friend, Dorothy, who fell in love with thrifting after her children were born. There are so many others out there doing the same thing!
3. If shopping second hand isn’t your thing (yet), look for classic pieces to add to your wardrobe that will stand the test of time. Be sure the clothes are durable and well made, and bonus points if you purchase from an ethical brand.
4. Compost. Even in small apartments it is possible to compost. The soil it creates can be used in gardens and even in your potting soil. And compost bins don’t have to be expensive or time consuming. My husband and I inherited a compost bin when we were renting. The landlords had no use for it at their rental property, so we were able to take it with us when we bought our own home. We put organic waste in it, such as grass clippings, leaves, vegetable scraps, and egg shells. We water it once in a while and turn it about once a month.
5. Reuse. Ditch single use plastic. Opt for glass bottles and jars that will last a life time. This is a tip I took from my great-grandmother. She raised her children during the depression and knew the importance of reusing items. When she passed away, my mom inherited her well-worn cast iron skillets and I was given some of her bowls and dishes from the 1930’s and 40’s. I still use those dishes when I’m mixing ingredients in the kitchen. Not only do I feel like I carry a piece of her with me, but I am keeping perfectly useful items out of the landfill.
6. Donate! In the United States, approximately 10.5 million tons of clothing are sent to the landfill each year. Excuse me?! That number is mind-blowing! There are plenty of second-hand and consignment shops that would love to take your pre-loved items. If I am unable to donate due to wear and tear, I use the item as a cleaning rag when possible. (Some exclusions do apply!)
7. Plant a garden! Not only is it therapeutic, but you have fresh produce all summer. You can put your compost to good use and save money and lessen the impact your grocery list can have on the environment.
8. Look for local farmers. You’ll know the source of your meat/produce/honey/jam and you’ll support a local family. Farmer’s Markets are great places to visit and they are becoming more and more common.
9. Be mindful of energy usage. This can be a tough one. We’re so connected to technology (I’m guilty, too) and it can be hard to disconnect. Make it a point once a week to turn off the electronics and get outdoors. Remember to shut the lights off when you leave the room. Remember, small acts can have a big impact.
10. Recycle. Research recycling options in your area. If you cannot repurpose or donate an item, try to recycle it.
    

These suggestions are just places to start. I’ll be blogging more about ways that I lessen my footprint and I hope to inspire you to make small (or big) changes. As someone who loves the outdoors, I want to keep it as beautiful and enjoyable as possible. We’re only human and we cannot be perfect, but we can still impact the environment and people around us and that ripple effect can do great things.