By: Lilly Tisza
As we settle into the new year, we often find ourselves in an interesting position. Haunted by the past habits we’ve tried to eliminate and intimidated by all the promises we made ourselves on January 1st. Let me give you some peace of mind and help you build sustainable habits that will soon feel like second nature. These habits are as easy to pick up as they are good for the Earth, spanning from conscious shopping to less plastic waste.
This article will outline 5 simple habits you can follow to lead a more sustainable life.
1. Be Mindful
Think before you buy and consider how your actions affect the environment. Simply acknowledging our human power, we begin to understand how impactful we are as a species. I sympathize with people’s frustrations with the current state of the environment, especially younger generations appointed to “clean up the mess.” We live in fragile times and our way of life is more environmentally harmful than ever. The solution starts with small actions that build into habits that build into change. The solution is within each of us and it begins with mindfulness.
Mindfulness can also translate to effortless adjustments in your daily routine. Such as unplugging unused electronics to conserve energy, turning off the shower when water isn't directly in use, and bundling up with your favorite sweaters and blankets instead of blasting the heater. Modern amenities have truly spoiled us. And I get it, a long, hot shower after a hard day is like a free therapy session. Except it is not free. Sure—bills, but also energy. I am not asking you to give up your long showers, however, just acknowledging the amount of resources taken up by our actions can shift our habits in a less wasteful direction.
2. Use Less Plastic
Plastic is bad for the Earth—no question about it. While I understand the challenge of entirely eliminating plastic consumption in modern society, it is important to consider plastic-free alternatives available and keep an open mind. There are plastic-free alternatives that have the same replaceability as their plastic counterparts and there are also plastic-free products that are designed to last for months and even years longer than plastic equivalents.
Image Credit: Emily Dumont
For example, “solid” forms of various beauty products are a great way to minimize your plastic usage. From bar soaps and shampoo bars to solid-body moisturizers; your entire shower routine could be certified plastic-free! Other sustainable alternatives made out of paper and aluminum make for easy swaps. Kitchen products like sponges and liquid dish soap could also be replaced by a zero-waste regime. Sudsing up a walnut-based sponge or a wooden scrubber with a solid dish soap easily eliminates plastic waste.
Image Credit: Lilly Tisza
Some plastic-free switches can feel like an investment. These products, typically made from higher-quality materials, are designed to be re-used for long periods. A simple example is wool dryer balls. Sure, a pack of these will cost you more than traditional dryer sheets, but they will last you an astonishing number of washes. Same concept with beeswax wraps and re-sealable silicone bags. These products cost more upfront than plastic wrap and disposable plastic bags, however, you can WASH them! How incredible! Switching to higher quality products with a greater lifespan will ultimately save you money and be more gentle to our planet.
Image Credit: Emily Dumont
For the inevitable plastic you will purchase in the future—no one is perfect—it is important to be aware of how to recycle and reuse plastic properly. Here is our past blog post about recycling in Davis for reference: https://zerowasteucd.wixsite.com/website/post/a-guide-to-recycling-in-davis-ca
3. Shop Secondhand
Shopping secondhand is a popular way to positively impact the environment. Secondhand shopping is not just more affordable and less wasteful; it offers shoppers opportunities to buy vintage, one-of-a-kind items that would not be available to buy new. Instead of relying on retailers like Amazon for your next purchase, try checking sites like Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp first. These secondhand retailers are flooded with (sometimes free) items that people are desperate to get rid of. Thrift stores and antique shops are other good resources. Of course, the incredible Aggie Reuse store on campus is amazing as well. By buying something secondhand, be it a desk or a pair of boots, you are ultimately extending a product’s life, which is a beautiful thing.
Image Credit: Aggie Reuse Store ASUCD
By building a habit of checking any of these secondhand shopping venues FIRST for your next purchase, you may not just save money, but end up with a collection of unique items that feel special to you.
If your desired item cannot be found at any secondhand shopping resource, check what your local retailers have available. Shopping local is beneficial not just for your local economy (yay Davis) but also contributes to less greenhouse gas emissions and a lower carbon footprint for you (as opposed to ordering online).
4. Reuse Your “Waste”
Waste can be many things: plastic yogurt containers, vegetable peels, takeout containers, etc. By changing our mindset from a “one-time use” mentality to a “what else can I do with this” mentality, trash begins to look like gold. Okay, maybe not gold, but like an opportunity for repurposing. Plastic tubs filled with water can be watercolor’s best friend or could water your plants. Vegetable peels can be stored to use in homemade vegetable broth as a base for recipes. Takeout containers can be reused not just to store your future leftovers, but also to transport your bulk food purchases. You could easily fill these containers with grains and nuts for easy transportation to and from your local bulk goods store. The possibilities are endless.
5. Resist Mass Consumerism
In the digital age where sponsorships and sneaky advertisements flood our phones, it is nearly impossible to not be exposed to mass consumerism. Be it YouTube product reviews, haul videos, or various collection videos; everyone has so much stuff! So isn't that what you should aspire to achieve—a big pile of stuff? (Hint: no). I could go all philosophical and rant on about how materialistic items won’t guarantee you happiness, but the issue goes beyond that. In our consumer society, we buy an excess amount of things just for the sake of it. These impulse purchases tend to be forgotten about and often get disposed of. The impulsive consumer mindset needs to change to move forward in a sustainable lifestyle.
A trick I like to use to make more intentional purchases is something I call the “7-day test.” If I am shopping online and see something I love, I will put it in my cart/pin it to a tab, and leave it there for seven days. If I am still thinking about it as the week comes to an end, then I make a purchase. (Side note: For some online second-hand retailers it may be tricky to implement this strategy as usually there is only one unit of your item in stock. In this situation, I make sure to give it at least a day before I make my purchase). Apply the 7-day test to your shopping habits and start feeling better about your shopping choices.
One final note on this topic, that may be a bit controversial: trends. Following trends is normal, it is almost expected. But with new trends popping up every 3 seconds, it can be exhausting trying to keep up. And most importantly, it is incredibly wasteful! Not buying into trends is a form of self-restraint that comes with a lot of practice. Try asking yourself why you want something so badly—is it because you genuinely like it, or is it because it is trending on TikTok? Making purchases based on genuine interest and not on popular opinion will significantly decrease your amount of consumer waste. Trust me, you do not need a Stanley Cup in 7 colors…I’m sorry (no, I’m not).
Finally, this is not an exhaustive list of sustainable habits. These are just some quick, feasible habits you can pick up in your daily life to reduce your waste and live more sustainably. These habits aren’t meant to be intruding or feel “life-altering;” they are meant to help you be more conscious. Everyone is at a different point in their sustainability journey and we, as a club, are here to support you. Make 2024 your most sustainable year yet!
Check out our other posts for more information on different aspects of sustainable living and keep up-to-date with any future events here on our website or on our Instagram @zerowasteclubucd.
Resources to help you on your Zero Waste Journey:
Educational:
UC Davis Sustainability- overview of the sustainability resources on campus
Shelbizleee on YouTube- fun, educational videos about the "Zero Waste" lifestyle
UC Davis Zero Waste and Sustainability Club Website and Events- ;)
Shopping:
Grove Collaborative- sustainable cleaning and lifestyle products (free starter kit!)
Zero Waste Store- online storefront with an array of sustainable products
Lush- sustainable, widely-available cosmetics brand
Ethique- sustainable personal care brand with solid forms of many products
Kitsch- a hair care brand with great shampoo bars Bronner'
Dr Bronner's- a staple brand known for its multi-use soaps
Offerup- a secondhand marketplace
Facebook Marketplace- a secondhand marketplace
Boheme thrift store- a thrift store in Davis
L Street Furniture- a vintage and antique store in Davis (they have the COOLEST stuff)
Tree Hut Vintage- a vintage clothing shop in Davis
Davis Co-op- grocery store in Davis with an array of local products, zero-waste alternatives, educational resources, and community events
Nugget Markets- grocery store chain in Davis with an array of local products
**Sustainability has become a buzzword in both retail and the media. We are exposed to terms like “eco-friendly” and “ethically made” daily in the aisles of our local grocery stores and in online advertisements. Sustainability is a label that companies can smack on their product to make you and me feel less bad about buying them. It's as simple as that. Luckily, products’ sustainability claims are regulated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and official eco-labels by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) exist to give credibility to brands’ claims. However, the FTC cannot stop greenwashing. As consumers, we must do research to confirm a brand is truthful about its claims and aligns with our ethics.
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