Three easy ways to live more sustainably

If you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for a way to incorporate sustainability and planet-friendly practices into your day to day life, even though it can sometimes be hard! But, don’t worry, it’s not all about being perfect - every little thing really does go a long way.

Here’s a collection of simple tips and tricks that can help ‘green up’ your life, one small step at a time.

Reducing plastic use

Plastic. Nobody likes it, but it’s hard to ignore how threaded it is through every part of society. From vegetables, to shower gels, shopping bags and more, how do you escape adding your share to the growing waste landfills?

Recently, I have moved towards only purchasing hard shampoo/conditioner bars. Before shaving my hair off (a reset, after lots of heavy dye and bleaching in my teenage years), I found I would go through so many bottles of shampoos, conditioners and all sorts of hair treatments – all in plastic bottles or tubs. It was only after looking into my bathroom bin one morning and realising how much plastic I was burning through that I realised that something urgently had to change. Now, buying hard shampoo/conditioner bars from eco-friendly businesses, I no longer have to worry about pitting my hair over the environment! With such a wide variety of products now on offer, you can discover the perfect bar for you - whatever scent, hair type or colour you desire...

The second tip I have found helpful for reducing plastic waste is always bringing my own, reusable bags to the supermarket. And I don’t just mean your standard bags for life/tote bags for your bigger shops, either: hop online (and now I believe they even sell them in selected Supermarkets) and grab a couple of reusable fruit/veg/bakery bags for your next trip into town! They last indefinitely and considering how often we all go to the shops, that is saving a huuuge amount of unnecessary plastic one-use bags every time you buy a couple of peppers!

Cleaning products

Another fact about me? I have been a cleanaholic for nearly two years now! Before that, I was still happily living like any messy teenager, complete with floordrobes, cups piling up in the bedroom… spillages – my mum used to say that everywhere I went, I left a trail! It was in 2019, however, that I discovered my cleaning and tidying gurus…

Marie Kondo taught me a new love for folding every sock in a particular way and the lovely Mrs Hinch taught me every cleaning hack under the sun, including how to keep proper care of my little home.

Thanks to my mum, I have always been aware of which products and companies test on animals, so have always known who and what to avoid when shopping. However, I was still naive to the dangers that certain chemicals can pose, especially when throwing them back out into the environment once finished. I knew I had to - and wanted to do - better.

The first eco-friendly tip I learnt was making my own cleaning products! I have to admit, I still buy eco-friendly cleaning products online, but I no longer buy ready-made air-fresheners, as I have found it so simple to make my own. Using hot water and just a couple of drops of my favourite essential oil (plus an even smaller amount of fabric conditioner), I can now leave any room or furniture smelling fresh. Alongside a Little Nature candle, of course!

Recycle glass jars

If you’ve browsed the Little Nature shop, you’ll see that we have created a new candle range in which we use recycled jars, which we are so pleased to be able to do! I’m also a huge fan of saving and reusing glass jars in my personal life, particularly in the kitchen. Mason jars, kilner jars, sauces... You name it, we have reused it. Not only is it helping ease my environmental impact, everything just looks so much nicer in a glass jar, especially opposed to plastic! Next time you finish a mustard, try saving the remnants to make a delicious mustard dressing, or even try turning that old pickle jar into a small batch of kimchi? Whatever use you find best suits your needs, Mother Nature is sure to thank you!

Now, of course, I’d like to think that my day to day attempts at being eco-conscious are not limited to these three acts, but they’re an easy place for anyone to get started on their very own sustainability journey. Remember, it is in no way about being perfect, and don’t let anything put your efforts down. We’re forever learning, developing and growing greener techniques, so it’s brilliant to share and encourage others on how to do our bit, if not for today, but for the future.

Elise

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