How do I make my home eco-friendly on a budget?
The Resilient Activist
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Ask a Resilient Activist | September 2024 Column by The Resilient Activist Board Member Briana Anderson
Congratulations! You have had that “aha!” moment; that lightbulb of clarity has appeared above your head; that epiphany of “I definitely?CAN?help the planet in my own daily life” has struck you.
Whether it was because you watched a painfully truthful documentary about the ongoing climate crises, or you read an article about plastic pollution devastating our oceans, or you saw a lovely “zero waste” social media influencer with the most adorable glass jars in her pantry, I’m glad you’re here.?
Now – where to begin?
My journey into a plastic-free, pollutant-free, zero-waste, planet-friendly, eco-friendly, climate-friendly, etc. etc. etc. life was a rocky one. I made some good decisions as well as some silly ones. My first mistake: I sent myself into a full-blown panic about the impact my household has on the planet. Yes, I completed all of the “Calculate Your Carbon Footprint” quizzes I could find then shamed myself for being so remiss as to unknowingly destroy the planet for decades. If only I could go back in time and smack the plastic swirly straw out of little Briana’s hands… sigh.
First things first: DON’T take those carbon footprint quizzes. Big oil, specifically BP, coined the phrase “carbon footprint” in the early 2000’s [1]. Why would a fossil fuel giant come up with a phrase like that? Perhaps to encourage folks to focus more on their?own?individual carbon emissions [2], rather than pay attention to the MASSIVE carbon emissions produced by fossil fuel companies which are having the GREATEST impacts on the climate. Smart tactic, eh? Don’t do what I did and send yourself into the shame-spiral that the fossil fuel executives want. Is BP reducing?their?carbon footprint? That’s the real question.
However, does this mean we should all say “screw it” and do absolutely nothing to help the planet? No way! We are all in this together: you, me, humanity, the animals, the plants, the soil, the water, the air. We must tend to our kin, just in a feasible and healthy way.
Okay, we can agree: we?do?want to make some changes to make our homes eco-friendlier, even though the fate of the planet’s health does not rest solely in our hands. Here’s where my second mistake comes in: I absolutely devoured the Pinterest boards and Instagram pages full of plastic-free, zero-waste, eco-friendly lifestyles. The bamboo toothbrushes, the glass jars in the pantry, the cute glass Tupperware containers with bamboo cutlery to pack with your lunch, the metal straws, the compostable phone cases, the certified organic linen comforters – I wanted it ALL. The urge to immediately toss all of my belongings in the garbage and purchase these zero-waste, aesthetically pleasing products was overwhelming. But do you see the enormous contradiction in that sentence? I wanted to create a bunch of waste by throwing away my perfectly useful possessions in order to replace them with cuter, non-plastic versions. How silly is that??
Do not fall for the tempting zero-waste aesthetic you see on social media, because:
1) it is just about impossible for anyone to be completely zero-waste;?
2) you will spend money unnecessarily;?
3) you will create waste by tossing what you already have; and?
4) many of these “eco-friendly” brands may be luring you in with greenwashing3 rather than actual sustainability practices.?The best way to achieve an eco-friendly home while on a budget is to use what you have! Whether it is a plastic phone case, a synthetic fiber comforter on your bed, or a plastic tube of toothpaste, the items have already been purchased, so you may as well use them. When those items run out, or their useful life has ended, THAT is time to think about replacing them in the most conscious way possible.?
Here are some steps to guide your thought process:
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If this item is no longer usable at all, how can you properly dispose of it?
Can you re-purpose it into something else (cutting up an old t-shirt into dish rags, for example)? Can you recycle it? Is there any way this item can avoid ending up in the landfill?
Do you absolutely NEED to replace this item?
If we’re talking toothpaste, then yes, please replace. But a plastic garlic press in your kitchen that has fallen apart – do you REALLY need another one? Perhaps mincing garlic with a knife would suffice.?
If yes, you absolutely must replace this item: can it be borrowed from a neighbor or friend?
Can you purchase a secondhand version at a thrift store? Check out Facebook to see if a local “Buy Nothing” group has been established for your neighborhood. These are groups where folks can post items they no longer want and wish to give away to their neighbors at no cost. Don’t see a Buy Nothing group for your locale? Consider making one yourself!
If the item can’t be borrowed or obtained secondhand, then ask yourself: can I make the item myself?
I decided, rather than purchase a bunch of eco-friendly makeup in glass jars that cost a FORTUNE, I could make my own! My foundation, powder, bronzer, blush, and eyeshadow have been homemade for years now, because making my own makeup has become part of my routine. I use ingredients such as cornstarch and cocoa powder, which is way healthier than the long list of ingredients in most makeup products. You can also make other products such as toothpaste, lotion, laundry detergent, etc.!
If you absolutely must purchase the item, consider: what is the most planet-friendly version of this product?
Was the product made locally, or was it shipped across the globe, likely in a fossil fuel-powered vehicle, to get to you? Are there any harmful pollutants in the ingredient list? How were materials harvested to make this item? The people who made this item- are they treated fairly? Can this item be recycled or repurposed when I can no longer use it?
The key here, in all aspects of pursuing an eco-friendly home, is to SLOOOOOOWWWW DOWN. Do not immediately rush to Amazon.com and purchase tons of plastic-free items you don’t really need. Do not immediately toss an item in the trash if it is no longer directly useful. Do not immediately choose an item that appears eco-friendly just because it says so on the packaging. Do research. Be mindful about your possessions. Be intentional with your purchases. In the end, you save money because you end up purchasing LESS. Your wallet and the planet will thank you.
Last but not least, give yourself grace. You may look at your plastic container of dental floss in disgust, wondering how the planet will suffer because of you and your dental hygiene purchases. Try not to do that. We are offered thousands of plastic, planet-harming products for every one sustainable product. The grocery store is packed with harmful products that are cheaper compared to the organic, sustainable products. It’s a backward system, and it’s not your fault. You are doing an awesome job simply by caring, and by starting to be mindful about your home. Keep it up!
Photo Credits:
Glass Jars – Taryn Elliott Pexels.com
Decision Guide by Briana Anderson
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