Our world is changing. Together we can fight climate change by making better choices in our everyday lives. Each time we make a purchase (or decide not to purchase) is an opportunity to make a positive impact on our planet.
Here's a collection of practical, eco-friendly swaps and habits organized by category to help you live more sustainably.
In the Kitchen
Food Storage & Packaging
· Ditch the plastic wrap: Try reusable, fabric food covers instead! They're beautiful and practical.
· Use glass jars: Mason jars are perfect for storing food without plastic. Consider chalkboard lids so you can label, date, and relabel.
· Buy in bulk: Use reusable bags for shopping at bulk bins to reduce packaging waste.
· Look for tin or glass containers for your spices and oils to avoid plastic packaging.
· Check food packaging carefully: Shout out to companies that still use simple cardboard packaging with metal components instead of adding plastic.
Sustainable Cooking & Beverages
· Make sun tea on the deck: Affordable and zero waste!
· Try a pour-over coffee maker with reusable filter or use stainless steel reusable capsules if you have a single-serve machine.
· Electric tea kettles are more energy-efficient than stovetop kettles as they heat only the water, not the surrounding air.
· Make your own seltzer or soda instead of buying bottled versions.
· Try making foods from scratch: Corn tortillas, bread, and other staples are often easy to make and result in less packaging.
Cleaning Products
· Switch to concentrated laundry soap in refillable glass jars.
· Try laundry powder instead of liquid detergents - they're often plastic-free and you aren't shipping water around.
· Use bar soap for dish washing paired with a beautiful wooden brush instead of plastic bottles of dish soap.
· Try eco-friendly dish scrubbers made from natural materials instead of plastic sponges.
Sustainable Eating
· Consider a plant-based diet: Even starting with Meatless Monday makes a difference for your health and the planet.
· Choose plant-based milk alternatives: Oat milk has a particularly low environmental footprint in terms of emissions, water usage, and land required.
· Eat local when possible: Support local growers and farmers' markets to reduce transportation emissions.
· Consume diverse foods: 75% of what we eat comes from just 12 crops and 5 animal species (UN FAO). Diversifying our diet can help address environmental and health crises.
· Eat your leftovers: It usually takes less energy to reheat than to make a meal from scratch. Get creative - turn leftovers into soups, tacos, or salads!
· Be mindful of food waste: Americans throw away about 40% of their food. Plan meals, store food properly, and use what you buy.
In the Bathroom
· Try bar shampoo: A single bar can last nearly a year and eliminates plastic bottles.
· Switch to sustainable toothpaste: Tablet form toothpaste eliminates plastic tubes.
· Use reusable face rounds: Instead of disposable cotton pads, try washable options that can be tossed in a mesh bag and laundered.
· Consider a safety razor: Disposable razors are neither recyclable nor biodegradable. A quality safety razor can last years with only the blades needing replacement.
· Install a low-flow showerhead: Reduces water usage without compromising shower quality.
For Your Pets
· Sustainable dog toys: Look for options filled with coconut husks rather than poly-fill (plastic) or choose toys made from natural materials like rope and wool.
· Eco-friendly dog beds: Some companies make covers you can stuff with your old clothes (your dog will love that it smells like you) or that fit over old baby mattresses.
· Consider alternative protein pet food: Jiminy’s uses cricket protein (and other insect proteins), which requires less land, water, and produces fewer greenhouse gases.
· Use metal dog bowls instead of plastic ones.
· Choose compostable poop bags for dog waste.
Clothing & Textiles
· Shop vintage when possible: Reuse and repurpose existing clothing.
· Extend the life of clothing you love: Repair, patch, or embroider worn items instead of discarding them.
· Consider the environmental impact of fashion: The clothing industry is responsible for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions - more than aviation and shipping combined.
· Look for sustainable materials: More than 60% of textile fibers are derived from fossil fuels. Seek out natural or recycled materials.
· Choose quality over quantity: Buy fewer, better pieces that will last longer.
· Try clothing made from recycled materials: Some companies make shoes and other items from recycled plastic bottles.
Water Conservation
· Save rinse water from fruits and vegetables to water your plants.
· Plant succulents in your yard - they need less water and self-propagate easily.
· Consider a rain barrel to collect water for your garden.
· Turn off the tap while brushing teeth or washing hands.
· Fix leaky faucets promptly - they can waste thousands of gallons annually.
Energy Savings
· Air dry your clothes: Your dryer accounts for approximately 6% of your home's energy usage. Air drying preserves clothing, eliminates shrinkage, and conserves energy.
· Turn off lights when you leave a room.
· Use LED bulbs which use up to 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs.
· Unplug electronics when not in use to avoid phantom energy usage.
· Consider smart power strips that cut power to devices when they're not being used.
Transportation
· Use public transportation when available - it's amazingly efficient in many cities.
· Consider train travel: Trains produce significantly less carbon emissions than driving or flying.
· For quick trips, take a bike or walk instead of using the car.
· Bring reusable water bottles and coffee cups when traveling to avoid single-use plastics.
· Look for hotels with eco-friendly policies like water refill stations instead of plastic water bottles.
Reducing Single-Use Items
· Bring reusable shopping bags to all stores, not just grocery stores.
· Keep a set of bamboo utensils in your car or bag to avoid plastic cutlery when eating on the go.
· Use cloth napkins instead of paper. Keep track of which napkin belongs to whom using clothespins and markers so they can be reused until truly dirty.
· Try "unpaper" towels - cloth alternatives to paper towels.
· Use string instead of ribbon for packages - it's biodegradable and just as pretty!
Supporting Biodiversity
· Plant a tree: Even in urban areas, there are opportunities to add trees. They help clean air, filter water, provide habitat, and absorb carbon.
· Participate in "No Mow May": Let flowers (even dandelions) complete their lifecycle so bees and other insects can thrive.
· Avoid pesticides that harm beneficial insects and pollinators.
· Create bee rest stations in your garden.
· Plant native wildflowers to support local ecosystems.
Final Thoughts
Living sustainably isn't about perfection - it's about making better choices where we can. Every small change adds up to significant impact when millions of people make similar choices. This Earth Month, try adopting a few new eco-friendly habits that work for your lifestyle and build from there.
What sustainable swaps have you made in your life? We'd love to hear your ideas in the comments below!