9 Ways To Be More Environmentally Friendly
Today is World Environment Day! We all know to reduce, reuse and recycle, but what does that mean for each of us? In honor of the occasion, we're discussing 9 easy ways that BuDhaGirls can be more environmentally friendly in their everyday lives.
REPAIR: Instead of throwing out your shoes and clothing when they start to show wear and tear, try and repair it first. The less clothing that we can put back into the environment, the better. Take your shoes to a cobbler to repair worn soles and refinish dull patches. Find a great tailor to fix up any fraying hems, or alter ill-fitting clothing.
LEARN: Do you really know the brands you shop with? Before buying something, make a habit of learning about the company first. Ask about their production practices and how they source their materials.
INVEST: Always choose to invest in a high quality, sustainably made garment instead of a cheap fast fashion piece. While a sustainable piece will be more expensive, it will last you longer, and have a smaller environmental footprint.
MULTIPURPOSE: From soaps to handbags, always go with the multipurpose option. When something has multiple uses, you will need to purchase fewer items, and you will use what you do have more. This means you’ll save money, maximize space in your home, and use less packaging.
LOCAL: To minimize the negative environmental effects caused by transportation, shop local! Whether you’re shopping for groceries or clothing, you can support your environment and community just by choosing produce or services in your area.
SEASONAL: Purchasing products that are not in season taxes the environment. For instance, if you’re living in Minnesota in January, mangoes are certainly not available locally. In order to stock them in a grocery store, this product must be flown in, and in doing so, will require a considerable amount of energy to get it transported.
BACKYARD: Take advantage of your outdoor space! Grow herbs and veggies you can cook with, set out barrels to collect rainwater, and try compositing your leftover organic foods!
LAUNDRY: Laundry can be a huge source of energy consumption. To cut back, wash things like bath towels and jeans less (one use does not mean they are dirty!), and line-dry items like sheets and other linens.
PAPERLESS: Go paperless to save the environment and your sanity! Opting out of paper bills and automating means less clutter and more seamless living.