It is that time of the year again where New Years Resolutions Lists are beginning to be prepared, and we have the perfect one to add on to your list of goals for 2021.
If there is one thing that we should be prioritising, not only for the wellbeing of our planet, but also for our future, it is sustainability. Statistics that have been gathered from 2020 show that over 85 million tons of resources have been extracted from the Earth, over 2 billion tons of waste have been dumped, and that we only have 29 years remaining until our Earth is completely depleted of it’s vital resources. Through slowly but surely incorporating more eco-friendly practices within our daily lives, together we can make a tremendous change for our precious planet.
If you are willing to take the step towards sustainability this coming year, but you are struggling to understand where to begin, we have prepared 21 simple switches that you can make for a sustainable 2021:
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Swap your toothpaste out for dental tabs
Cut the plastic, and make the switch to dental tabs. These are easy to use, and just as refreshing as your regular tube of toothpaste.
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Create your own laundry detergent
Laundry detergent is almost always packaged in plastic, and they often contain harmful chemicals that can effect your skin. Although creating your own laundry detergent may seem like a complex process, all it takes is 3 simple ingredients: Castile soap, baking soda, and an optional addition of essential oils—we love lavender!
Method:
- Dissolve baking soda and salt in very hot water.
- Add the liquid castile soap, as well as any essential oils to can add a natural fragrance.
- Close, label, and store away until needed for use!
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Switch to a bamboo toothbrush
Did you know that a single toothbrush takes over 400 years to decompose? Additionally, in North America alone, over one billion toothbrushes are disposed and sent to the landfill each year. Scary, we know.
Switch it up with our Sasstainable bamboo toothbrushes. Bamboo is easily renewable—in fact, it is one of the fastest growing plants on the planet. Additionally, no chemicals nor pesticides are required for its growth. Ditch the plastic; shop sustainably, shop sassy.
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Treat yourself to a tote bag!
Make it a habit to start bringing a re-usable tote bag along with you whenever you leave the house; you never know what you may pick up! These will serve handy for when you need to buy an emergency bunch of bananas, without having to ask for a plastic bag.
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Start bringing a portable coffee cup along with you whilst you’re out and about
If the coffee life chose you, portable coffee cups are an essential accessory. Ditch the one-use coffee cups; our collapsible, silicone coffee cups are a cute and sustainable alternative that you can use for your vital morning cuppa, time and time again.
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Swap tampons and pads for menstrual cups or period-friendly underwear
Fortunately, there are now many eco-friendly alternatives out there to cover the regular visit from Aunt Flo. Two that we would recommend are menstrual cups and period-friendly underwear! These options can be used multiple times, and save you from having to purchase endless packages of pads and tampons.
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Download Ecosia
Switch Google out for this Earth-friendly browser. This search engine gives back to Mother Earth by planting trees using the revenue that they earn from your searches. So yes, this means that simply searching your Celebrity crush’s star sign can contribute to a flourishing forest.
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Support independent businesses with strong ethical values
When supporting independent, you are not only helping the local economy as well as hard-working, small teams; when they have strong, sustainable values in place, you are collectively contributing to a better future for our environment.
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Replace zip lock bags with our silicone pouches
Zip lock bags are commonly made from decomposable plastic, that usually adds to our rapidly growing landfills. Switch these out for our re-usable silicone pouches.
Our silicone pouches are easily transportable, sealable, and food-safe. They are the perfect alternative to store everything—from your lunch, to your gym kit!
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Replace cotton pads with reusable cleaning pads
If you find yourself quickly going through cotton pads or facial wipes, this switch is both a way to save the environment, as well as your money. Reusable cleaning pads are incredibly effective for cleaning away your makeup. These are also washable, therefore they can be re-used for a long period of time.
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Start purchasing your clothes from Depop
If you love a good online shopping spree, make Depop your new go-to. Depop is an app where people around the world share and re-sell their items—both used and un-used, and even better, for a much more affordable price.
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Switch your movie nights to documentary nights, at least once a week
An important step that everyone should be taking toward living a more sustainable lifestyle, is uncovering the reality behind the crisis that our planet is currently experiencing.
Docu-flix and chill tonight. Here are a few of our favourite eco-friendly documentaries that you can add to your watch list.
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Buy your food for the week wisely
Food waste is more harmful to the planet than you may think. Food waste releases harmful greenhouse gases that largely contribute to climate change.
Why not begin applying minimalism to your grocery list? Start approaching your regular food shop from a wiser, and more mindful perspective.
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Make the switch to low energy LED lights
Reduce your energy usage at home by simply switching the light bulbs that you use. Low energy LED lights use 90% less energy than standard bulbs!
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Air-dry your clothes when possible
If the sun has decided to make an appearance, which can be a rarity in many countries, make the most of this! Air dry your clothes, and avoid increasing your energy usage for the day.
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Switch to dairy-free milk!
The number of alternatives that are now available is truly delightful to see, therefore this step is something that everyone can incorporate into their lives! According to statistics, the impact of making this cruelty-free switch reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 49%, and even reduces the damage to water supply.
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Start purchasing plastic-free produce
A simple yet impactful switch. The amount of plastic that you consume when buying produce quickly adds up. Doing this can also serve as an amazing opportunity to support your local grocers, where plastic-free produce is much easier to find!
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Bring our cutlery set along with you wherever you go!
Many resort to plastic cutlery when a quick lunch or dinner on-the-go is needed, however you can avoid that altogether by having our cutlery set by your side whenever you leave the house. Our cutlery set includes all of the cutlery that you may need, as well as a handmade bamboo straw and a straw cleaning tool.
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Switch to shampoo bars
Avoid bringing yet another plastic container into your household, and switch to the more sustainable shampoo bar. These are commonly free from any plastic packaging, and they can also last much longer than your average shampoo bottle.
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Ditch the hairdryer, and switch to air-drying
Show the planet, as well as your hair some love by allowing it to naturally dry, without the added pressure of heat, and increased energy consumption.
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Switch to a more plant-based diet
You are likely to have heard this one before, however the impact that this switch can have, both on your life as well as the planet, is incredible. Animal agriculture largely burdens our environment, therefore, slowly reducing your meat consumption can take us one step closer towards a better planet.
Overall…
There are an abundance of eco-friendly practices, as well as the switches mentioned above, that one can incorporate into their lives, and with a rapidly increasing number of people becoming more eco-conscious as we progress into yet another year, a sustainable lifestyle is only becoming even more accessible.
Make 2021 your year of change, both for yourself, as well as the planet.