Aussie households are more environmentally conscious than ever before. Whether it be taking a KeepCup down to the local cafe, switching to more sustainable food in the kitchen or better choices in our wardrobes, many people are making an effort and doing their part.
A 2019 study conducted by Forbes revealed that 77 per cent of Australians are committed to learning more about the environment and what they can do to live a more sustainable life.
With more of us than ever who are keen to learn, the question looms — where do you start?
This month is Plastic Free July, an initiative established to raise awareness about plastic consumption and sustainability. With over 177 countries participating, now is the perfect time to learn, develop new habits and get started on the road to living a more sustainable life at home.
To mark the 10 year anniversary, the Plastic Free July challenge is calling on people to take small, daily actions with the aim of avoiding landfill waste. Founder Rebecca Prince-Ruiz says most people who have been involved with the challenge over the years have created long-term habits.
“Plastic Free July isn’t about drastic lifestyle change; it’s about being more conscious of the single-use plastics that you use day-to-day and taking small but smart steps to reduce them,” she says. “Simple swaps could include switching to bar soap or avoiding plastic when you buy your vegetables.”
Lilly Hopkins has been leading the charge in her Brisbane community for two years now, organising workshops, and helping to sell reusable shopping and grocery bags at her local market. She says the best place to start is in your own home.
“If you want to transform the way you think about single-use plastics and reusable items, you have to start at home,” she says. “You’d have at least 20 different things in your house that you could swap out for something better.”
Consider life expectancy, especially at the supermarket
It might be easier to have convenient single-use items at home, but a little more effort could mean a lot for the environment.
“Put down things like slabs of water bottles, any plastic cutlery or plastic plates you might stash in the cupboard,” says Hopkins. “It’s definitely easier to use these things when you host people rather than washing up, but there are alternatives like paper and eco-friendly plates that do the same thing. The same goes for snack packets of food like chips or popcorn.”
Choose natural fibres in the bedroom
While there’s no doubt bamboo, organic cotton and flax linen sheets are like sleeping on a cloud, they are also sustainable materials that will have you resting easy knowing you’re doing the right thing by the environment. Take a look at some options for when you next feel like changing up your bedroom.
Say goodbye to plastic wrapping
Wrapping up your leftovers or covering the salad in plastic cling wrap is a habit that we all have, but there are alternatives that won’t hurt the planet like start-up brand SUSTOMi whose business mission is to encourage Australians to live healthier, low-waste lives.
“There are plenty of beeswax or reusable options, on the markets that do just as good a job and won’t contribute to landfill,” says Hopkins.
Rethink fast fashion
In a world of consumerism and fast fashion, buying more clothes at the cheapest price isn’t always the best option.
“So many of these cheap clothes just end up in landfill when they either ruin or go out of fashion in three months,” says Hopkins. “Stock up on quality materials that cost a bit more but will last – and why not check out your local op-shop.”
Choose sustainable hygiene products
Picking up items like toothbrushes, laundry detergent and razors is second nature, but there are ways to make better choices when it comes to items that we use every day. Plastic toothbrushes, disposable razors and detergent bottles contribute to waste at an alarming rate, which is why many businesses have created subscription services offering more sustainable options.
For razors, take a look at Kapi and their very aesthetically pleasing range. Take a look at Dirt for all your laundry needs, and consider Bamkiki to sign up fr a bamboo toothbrush subscription service.
article by domain.com.au