- Alternative transportation – If public transportation is a viable option, opt for it. If you have to use an electric skateboard for that last mile commute, do it! If not, try biking to school, work, or anywhere else for that matter.
- Reusable water bottle – Whenever you leave the house, make sure to grab a reusable water bottle. You know the ones you collect from free swag bags and store under the sink? Break one out and fill it up wherever you go!
- Insulated mug – Why rely on a local coffee shop for your cup? Wouldn’t you feel more comfortable drinking from your own? During the pandemic, single-use plastics took a front seat and started to steer our economy again. Now that things are leveling out, we can request to use our own mugs, which likely store heat better anyway.
- Sturdy grocery bags – Why waste time, and even money in some cities, on crappy plastic bags that are going to tear the second you lug them out of your trunk? Don’t! Odds are, you have reusable bags lying around. If you don’t, invest in reusable plastic, polypropylene (like TJ’s), and polyester bags. Those will be your most sustainable options long-term. Lose the produce bags while you’re at it!
- Your own utensils, including a straw – Grab a set (spoon, knife, fork, chopsticks) from your kitchen to make things easy, or buy a sustainable bamboo set from Pauji Outdoors. You’ll love the stainless-steel straw!
- Sustainable snacks – Instead of buying snacks in bags at the grocery store, pick up some organic produce from your local farmer’s market and dehydrate it! Take it to-go in silicone baggies. 😉
- Reusable container for leftovers – If your portion preference is smaller than an average American’s, be sure to keep Tupperware in your car. Taking food to-go should be the norm when meals are twice as big as your stomach!
- Pill containers – You know that little plastic container your moisturizer sample came in? Wash it out and use it for your pills. No need to buy travel size when you have something that will work.
- Cloth napkins – Back in the day, gentlemen used to carry handkerchiefs. They’re extinct now, but the concept isn’t. Just because we got lazy, doesn’t mean we can’t get back on track. Carry a cloth napkin with you and wash it when need be!
- Say no to paper – Ditch the hard copies for electronic newspapers and digital magazines aka the future. Also, be sure to Return to Sender when someone has the wrong address.
- Used books/kindle – Instead of buying new, try to find the book you’re looking for used. If it isn’t available, buy the kindle version!
- Shop secondhand | Host a clothing swap – Shopping at thrift stores is incredibly rewarding. Most of the time, a portion of the proceeds are going to a humanitarian cause. Feel good about purchasing something that will have a second home on your body! Or, if your closet is caving in, host a clothing swap for your sustainable besties!! Everyone will find something they love.