So you want to live more sustainably but aren’t sure where to start? No worries because I’m going to show you how to live more sustainably, starting with some of the simplest swaps!
To help keep things simple and prevent any overwhelm, I’m teaming up with Not A Trace because they have everything you need to get started to reduce your waste, more specifically, your plastic waste.
Before we dive into the product options to help you reduce your waste, I want to give you a few tips that will help you transition into a sustainable lifestyle much easier.
Side Note – There is a surprise waiting for you at the end of this blog post! Be sure you don’t miss out on it!
Different Ways to Identify How to Live More Sustainably
1 // Perform a Trash Audit
I know this sounds gross, but in order to transition into a sustainable lifestyle, you have to know what you’re consuming. Look through your trash to see what is compostable, reusable, recyclable, can be repurposed, or easily replaced.
- Compostable things feed the soil valuable nutrients.
- Reusable things serve multiple purposes, so it is important to not just toss things that still have life left to give.
- Recycling is an option for many things, especially if you have a local center. For example, my town has a metal/steel recycling center that PAYS me to bring them my unwanted metal/steel materials. Look up your local recycling options and see what you can prevent from going into the landfill or, worse, into the natural environment.
- Is there something in your trash that can be used in a different way? For example, an old shirt can be cut up and used as a cleaning cloth for your home. Just because the usefulness in one aspect is gone, that doesn’t mean it cannot be repurposed for a new use.
- Lastly, what do you have in your trash that could be replaced with a reusable option? My FAVORITE recommendation is replacing paper towels with cloth napkins because it is something used so frequently and can save you a lot of money and drastically reduce your waste!
2 // Make a list of the adjustments you can make
Now that you’ve gone through your trash, make a list of the adjustments you can make. Keep this list as a point of reference when you can make a change.
DO NOT TRY TO DO ALL OF THESE CHANGES AT ONE TIME!
Trying to do all of this at once will overwhelm you. Trust me, I’ve been there.
Doing things a little slower will help you solidify the lifestyle changes you are making.
3 // Start with the simplest sustainable swaps, then work towards the more difficult ones.
Sustainable living, in general, is not that difficult. What makes it seem difficult is the fact that you need to develop new habits and sometimes routines in order to live sustainably.
This is why I suggest starting with the simplest swaps, which we will cover today. Then move on to things that don’t feel as simple for you.
You are the only one who knows which swaps will require more commitment to changing habits or routines, so you get to be the sounding voice for those. This is your journey, so don’t compare it to anyone else’s journey.
4 // Know that these sustainable swaps have a great impact on our planet.
It doesn’t matter how big or small these swaps feel to you. Each and every one of them that you successfully accomplish has a great impact on our planet!
We only have one Earth, and with each change, you are helping to save it! You need to celebrate that because that is HUGE!
Now that you know how to live more sustainably let me show you the simplest swaps you can make RIGHT NOW!
Why Start with Plastic-Free Sustainable Swaps
The products I’m recommending are what I believe are the simplest sustainable swaps anyone can make. They honestly require little brainpower to make the adjustment.
These specific swaps are being talked about all over the news, in documentaries, and across various social media platforms.
Each of these swaps reduces the amount of plastic consumption within and outside of your household, which results in amazing strides to reduce plastic in the natural environment.
The reason for focusing on reducing plastic first is because plastic is NOT recyclable like metal or glass.
You can only downcycle plastic, which means that each piece of plastic will be recycled into a different plastic material.
An example of this is a water bottle being made into plastic leather or a park bench, but it will never be a plastic water bottle again.
According to balancemd.com, it can take up to 1,000 years for plastic to decompose. To put this into perspective, the first piece of plastic produced in the United States was in 1907.
It still has up to 888 years to decompose. That’s a really long time!
If that doesn’t have you motivated with the swaps I’m recommending, I’m not sure what will.
Not A Trace Product Recommendations to Show You How to Live More Sustainably
I chose to partner with Not A Trace because of their mission to reduce plastic waste in the natural environment and how simple their product line is.
A zero-waste online shop can be overwhelming with all the options, but Not A Trace keeps you focused on making solid sustainable swaps.
1 // Stainless Steel Straws that replace plastic straws
This is a small but mighty swap that anyone can successfully do. This pack of straws comes with two different cleaning brushes, which is very convenient!
I love the bend of these stainless steel straws over the straight ones, but that is probably a personal preference. These are also a little larger than regular straws, so they are PERFECT for smoothie lovers!
![Not A Trace, Co. Infuser Bottle [my FAVORITE reusable bottle!]](https://www.thetannehillhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/How-to-Live-More-Sustainably-with-Not-A-Traco-A-Zero-Waste-Online-Shop-7-683x1024.jpg)
2 // Infuser Glass Water Bottle can replace single-use water bottles AND single-use coffee cups
This is probably my favorite recommendation because it isn’t a simple glass water bottle. You can infuse your favorite fruits and vegetables or teas.
It can be used for hot or cold beverages, so you can enjoy your coffee first thing in the morning.
Once you’re done, you can wash it out and replace it with fun-infused cold water! How fun and diverse is that?
It also comes with a sleeve carrier, so you won’t burn or freeze your hands.
Related Post: 5 Infused Water Recipes If Plain Water Isn’t Your Thing
3 // The Everyday Tote replaces single-use plastic bags
This is the most diverse tote bag I’ve come across to date. It has the sturdiness of a canvas tote, but the mesh provides stretch that can help you get everything you need into one bag.
I love how lightweight it is because it is perfect for the farmer’s market or even a trip to the beach.
A fun fact about replacing plastic bags with a reusable option is that a reusable bag can replace 125 single-use plastic bags over a year’s time.
The coolest part is that a reusable bag will likely last much longer than that, so you are really making a large impact when switching to The Everyday Tote!
4 // Bamboo Toothbrushes replace plastic toothbrushes
Plastic toothbrushes are to be replaced every 3 months, so that is 4 toothbrushes a year per person that are being sent to the landfill. Considering how many people there are in the world, THAT IS A LOT OF PLASTIC WASTE!
The beauty of switching to a bamboo toothbrush is that you can toss it in the compost bin to feed the soil once broken down. It doesn’t have to be sent into the landfill, and it doesn’t impact the Earth in a harmful way.
I’ll be honest, it is an adjustment from a spin brush [what I used previously]. After using it for a week, I actually really liked it. My teeth aren’t as sensitive and are still really clean when I finish brushing my teeth.
Final thoughts about how to live more sustainably
What I love most about sharing how to live more sustainably is that anyone, anywhere, can make these changes. You can live in a small apartment in New York City or on a ranch in Texas.
Wherever you are in this world or however you live, you can make these changes! There is no excuse to not give these a try.
Over time, you’ll save money with all of these swaps, which is an added bonus and all the more reason to get started with your sustainable journey today!
I want to thank Not A Trace one more time for helping me get the word out about how to live more sustainably and how simple it can be to use a zero-waste online shop to do so!
SURPRISE!! – USE COUPON CODE ‘TANNEHILL’ AT CHECKOUT TO RECEIVE 10% YOUR ORDER!
Take advantage of these savings by going to Not A Trace now!
Let us know in the comments which of these swaps you’re going to make right now!
I’ve been thinking about trying the bamboo tooth brushes for a while. I am also wanting to get some cloth napkins as soon as I figure out a good place to put them!
You should jump on board and try them, Rebecca! I have my cloth napkins next to my kitchen sink, so that it is a no brainer to use them over paper towels.