Sustainability is at the core of what we do as we believe there simply is no other option. When starting out on your sustainable journey it can be overwhelming to know where to begin and how you can make a difference.
Did you know that only 9% of plastic is sent to recycling, while 84% is sent to landfill!? And that households are the largest contributors to plastic waste, supplying 47% of all plastic waste. [1] We believe we can change this, and that’s why we’re passionate about finding plastic-free alternatives that are easy to use and incorporate in your day to day life.
Although reducing plastic is challenging, we have no other option but to take on that challenge. Why? Because plastic will never go away. A large proportion of it ends up in nature and it’s wreaking havoc to wildlife and our planet. And quite simply, we just don’t need it. We have lived without it before and we can do it again!
Knowing where to start and what products are best to switch to can be confusing so we’ve pulled together this guide to make it easier for you.
1. Find Your ‘Why’
To make the sustainable changes sustainable for your lifestyle (ironic we know) it’s a good idea to find your ‘why’.
Are you motivated to look after the environment to create a better world for your children or grandchildren? Maybe your motivation comes from protecting the environment for wildlife. You might love to travel, discover new beautiful places on this planet and want the next generation to be able to enjoy these too. Or perhaps you’ll find motivation through reducing your expenditure on disposable items and takeaway food that often comes with a huge amount of waste associated with it.
Whatever it is, your why will keep you motivated throughout your journey. Write it on a post it note and place it in a spot in your home where you’ll see it. This will act as a reminder as you go about your day to day life.
2. Think Local
From your clothes to your food, see if you can purchase products that are made close to home. Is there a local farmers market you can get produce from? Can you make a habit of checking in your local op shop for a new item of clothing before looking online. Local organisations need support now more than ever, so not only will you be doing your bit for the planet, you’ll be supporting the local economy too.
3. Look For Easy Wins
When you’re starting to transition to a sustainable routine your purchasing habits might have to change slightly. Look out for products that will offer you great value and work for you long term.
Our Bundles are a great place to start for anyone looking for some easy wins. They change regularly but we also keep our best sellers there at all times so anyone who wants to begin their eco-journey can do so at great value.
Our Plastic Free Essentials is a firm favourite and a great way to get started on going green in the kitchen. Our Farmers Market Set is a staple bundle that we (and you!) love and is perfect to help you ditch those pesky plastic fruit bags and comes with our infamous Pocket Tote Bag that’s perfect for the shops, the beach, the gym, you name it we use it!
4. Conduct a Waste Check
Get a grasp on how much waste and plastic you discard in your home and where you can improve. A great way to do this is by creating a new notes tab on your phone and each time you add something to the rubbish bin that week, add the item to the note and what room in the house it came from.
At the end of the week, go through the note and highlight items you’ve thrown away that you know you can replace with a plastic-free alternative instead. If you can’t replace it, think if you really need it, or maybe if you can buy it less?
5. Talk to Friends & Family
Have any of your friends or family members started making eco-swaps in their lives and reducing their reliance on single use plastics? They might be able to give you some handy tips on where you can shop bulk free in your local area or where your nearest op shop is to find yourself a pre-loved outfit.
Having a group or support team is super helpful too. Why not create a WhatsApp or Facebook group for a crew of your friends who are passionate about being more sustainable and share little wins or hacks you’ve learned. We created our Facebook Group People vs Plastic for that exact reason so feel free to join!
6. Get Some Inspiration
Being more sustainable isn’t something that you do for a week, and then forget about it. It’s a journey and like any journeys in life we can lose motivation and inspiration over time.
To help us stay on track we love following low waste or sustainable accounts on Instagram. We love to post eco tips, and hacks for an easier waste free lifestyle on our instagram of course, but there are many others out there too. Some of our favourites include @zerowastechef, @slowly.erin, @simply.living.well and @alphafoodie. They have great low waste tips and are super inspiring for living a more sustainable life.
We are so lucky to have a community of such brilliant, willing and thoughtful customers here at Seed & Sprout. We’re all ears if you ever need a hand with choosing a product or simply getting started get in touch with us at: hello@seedandsprout.com
[1] https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/environment/environmental-management/waste-account-australia-experimental-estimates/latest-release
