One of the hidden benefits to living sustainably is that it can actually be more cost-effective than not. By implementing small changes incrementally, we can add up a big difference both in the environment and our budgets. Here are some ways that going green can save some green.
Embrace Reusable Resources
One of the simplest ways to make the biggest impact is to ditch single-use disposable plastics. Plastic bags, plastic water bottles and disposable coffee cups take hundreds of years to decompose and end up polluting our air, land and water sources. Start by investing in a handful of reusable cloth grocery bags (simply store them in the trunk of your car after use so that you have them on hand each time you make a purchase). Reusable shopping bags can be used beyond the grocery store (think clothing, books or lawn and garden supplies). They can also be washed and, unlike plastic or paper, won’t rip or tear holding heavy items inside.
In the kitchen, swap plastic baggies for reusable silicone or cloth ones (a single reusable bag can replace hundreds of plastic ones). Getting kids on board is a snap when they can choose their favorite colors, patterns or designs. After all, who wouldn’t want to eat a sandwich wrapped in a dinosaur or unicorn baggie? Use, wash, repeat!
Instead of using plastic wrap, check out silicone bowl covers or beeswax wrap. For food storage, look to use glass or metal, which are easy to sanitize and don’t warp, melt or leach microplastics when washed in hot water. Options abound for purchase, but you can start by repurposing glass jars from food purchases (think spaghetti jars or Mason jars).
Stay hydrated using stainless steel water bottles at home and on the go instead of opting for disposable water bottles. Not only will you save money, but it makes identifying whose cup is whose a snap. In my house, each family member has a water bottle that’s a different color, making it easy to tell them apart.
Using a stainless steel tumbler is a smart investment for warm drinks on the go, and some coffee shops even offer a discount when you bring in your own cup.
Lastly, ditch plastic straws for metal reusable ones.
Buy Local
There’s no limit to what you can find in your store, but when you buy items grown close to home, you’re supporting the local economy and you’re cutting down on carbon emissions associated with transportation and storage. Not only does local food taste fresher, but there’s nothing better than knowing where it comes from. Sign up for a community co-op, shop at one of KC’s 30 area farmers markets or buy directly from a u-pick farm. Check out KCParent.com to find the closest farmers market or u-pick farm near you.
Less Is Best
The average person throws away roughly 4.5 pounds of trash daily. One of the easiest ways to limit adding to the heap is to opt out of junk mail. You can register at DMAChoice.org, CatalogChoice.org and OptOutPrescreen.com. While at it, register for Yellow Pages Opt Out to avoid getting unnecessary phonebooks that many recycling plants will not accept anyway. Not only will you have less clutter, but your mailbox will be reserved for treasured snail mail instead. By signing up for online bill pay, you can save money on both checks and postage. Scrap paper can be placed in a box for kids to use for arts and crafts (encourage them to use both sides).
To limit packaging waste on groceries, consider buying in bulk. If you can’t use an economy sized item before it expires, go in on the purchase with another family. In doing so, you’ll save money in the process.
Make Your Own Cleaners
Not only are homemade cleaners better for the environment, but they’re also easy to make and better on your wallet. Recipes abound online for homemade laundry detergent, dish soap or all-purpose cleaner. When you make your own hand soap or spray cleaners, you’ll also end up purchasing fewer single-use plastic containers. (Look into amber glass spray bottles, which provide UV protection for any liquid within them.) I’ve made my own cleaners for years and find that the process takes no time—but if you’re intimidated or want to go in on a product bulk buy, consider hosting a party to make homemade soap with a handful of friends. Ditch paper towels and disposable cleaning products. Instead, reach for microfiber towels, reusable cloths and biodegradable scrub brushes.
Avoid Fast Fashion
In the United States, we’re buying clothing items at unprecedented rates. We own more clothing than ever before but also wear items fewer times before discarding—and those discards end up piling up in landfills. According to the World Resource Institute, it can take up to 2,700 gallons of water to make one cotton shirt, enough to meet the average person’s drinking needs for two-and-a–half years. A sustainable wardrobe is an investment in fewer pieces that are high quality and can be used again and again. The concept of a capsule wardrobe (pieces that interchangeably mix and match) is a great way to get more with less.
Children grow so quickly that they often outgrow clothes before they even get to wear them. Upcycling and thrifting can be a great way to find items that still have a lot of life left in them. Better yet, host a swap with family and friends to pass along items that can serve someone else when you’re done.
Toys
Toys that blink, flash, make noise and have motion don’t hold a child’s attention for long. And let’s be honest—parents find all the extra stimuli highly annoying. Choose toys that are open-ended and don’t require batteries or chargers. Wooden toys are far more sustainable than plastic, less likely to break than plastic and can even be passed down as heirloom pieces. Instead of being mass-produced in a factory that emits toxic chemicals into the air, the manufacturing process of ethically sourced wooden toys is better for the environment—and they’re oftentimes handmade! Go for quality over quantity, which keeps cleanup a breeze and allows kids to explore the full possibilities of each toy individually.
Boymom of four Lauren Greenlee can be found developing her green thumb this spring. She gardens and writes from her Olathe home.