Brianne West, Founder of Ethique, to share her top five tips on how to live more sustainably.
Choose local!
You don’t have to travel far to begin living a more sustainable life. While supermarkets are filled with amazing products, these can often be imported and don’t come from local farmers. Where possible, consider eating locally – find fruits, vegetables and other locally made edibles that are made available to you. This also includes supporting Australian owned brands that produce locally!
Ditch the disposables
We 're all getting used to re-usable bags, rather than single use, but there are so many other ways you can ditch the disposables. Companies such Ethique make it possible to continue enjoying personal care products without contributing to the 365 million plastic bottles set to be discarded from Australian bathrooms each year. The brands zero plastic, zero waste approach, makes it possible to purchase everything from your shampoo, conditioner, body scrub and even moisturiser without having a single bottle in your bathroom.
Other products that you can ditch and opt for reusable version are: razors, food containers and food seals (consider bees wax wraps).
Let’s talk fashion
Whether you have a walk in wardrobe that is overflowing, or a more modest selection of clothes, you can still use these simple methods to stop sending everything to landfill. Start by choosing to either resell or donate any clothes that you no longer want or need. Another way to live more sustainably when it comes to the clothes you wear is to invest in slow fashion – items that are high-quality, clean environment and promote fairness for both consumers and producers, rather than fast fashion that is churned out based on the latest trends. Check out the Conscious by The Iconic for a range of sustainable options.
Be water smart
There doesn’t have to be a drought for us to be conscious of saving water and consider what habits we can adapt on an ongoing basis.
Always remember:
· Drink from the tap – we're lucky to be able to, so there is no need for bottled water
· Take shorter showers
· Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth
· Use half flushes rather than full
· Install water saving shower heads
Get those steps up!
It may sound simple and cliché, but putting your strolling shoes on to walk, as opposed to driving, is an easy change that you can make that will have a big positive impact on the environment. Not only will this make it easier to up your daily exercise by increasing your steps, but it will also be mentally beneficial for you. If walking isn’t always possible – consider using public transport, riding a bike or car-pooling, rather than adding another unnecessary car to the road.
