It's never too early to start making small changes that can have a big impact on the environment. With 2023 here now, it is the perfect time to consider how we can make the planet a better place in the coming years.
One of the best ways to do this is by taking steps to make our lifestyles more sustainable. Reusable bags, energy-saving lightbulbs and natural, sustainable clothing are just some of the planet friendly options available. We'll take a look at five simple yet effective ways to keep helping or start helping the planet in 2023.
Composting
Composting is an eco-friendly way to reduce your environmental footprint and help the planet in 2023. If you're unfamiliar, composting is a natural process of decomposition that turns organic matter into nutrient-rich soil. Composting can be done at home or with a professional service.
At home, composting requires three simple steps: Collect, Prepare, and Use.
Collect: To start composting, you’ll need to collect kitchen scraps, such as fruits and vegetables, coffee grounds, tea bags, eggshells, and paper napkins.
Prepare: Put the collected scraps into a compost bin or container and mix in leaves, grass clippings, and soil to help break down the waste.
Use: After a few months of adding scraps and stirring your compost pile regularly, you’ll have nutrient-rich soil that can be used in your garden or flower beds.
Don't have space for an outdoor composter? You can also opt for a countertop composter such as Lomi, which I've heard friends RAVE about, but it does come with a bit of hefty price tag.
Some cities have compost pickup alongside your garbage and recycling, others have a compost pickup company - here in Kelowna, we have LC Compost, and for a small fee, you can have your compost picked up weekly.
Composting is easy, cost-effective, and a great way to help reduce your carbon footprint and make the planet a better place in 2023. Plus, composting helps reduce food waste and creates an additional source of nutrients for the soil. So get started composting today and join the fight to save the planet!
Use Reusable Bags
You knew this one was going to be in there didn't you? If you missed our instagram reel, the number of reusable bags we sold last will save over 1 million single use plastic bags from entering the landfill if used regularly - we're pretty proud of that!
Reusable shopping bags are an easy and effective way to help mother earth. Single-use plastic bags have become one of the most dangerous pollutants that are destroying the environment. They clog waterways, harm wildlife, and require millions of barrels of oil to produce each year.
Our reusable bags, on the other hand, have far less of an environmental impact. Not only do they reduce plastic waste, but they also save resources. We create our products with natural and sustainable fabrics, organic cotton and recycled cotton. They are designed to be reused over and over again for years to come and at the end of their life cycle can be repaired, composted or the fabric can be cut up and used to mend other items.
When shopping for reusable bags, avoid plastic and nylon bags as they can also contribute to plastic pollution. They're often poorly manufactured and will end up in the landfill faster than you can say reusable bag.
Be sure to keep several reusable bags in your car, purse, or backpack so that you always have one when you need it.
Using reusable bags is a simple and powerful habit to create in 2023 for a happier planet. Every time you opt for a reusable bag instead of a single-use plastic one, you are helping to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment.
Shop Secondhand
Shopping secondhand is not only a great way to help the planet in 2023, but it's becoming pretty trendy. Instead of buying brand new items, thrifting allows you to find gently used items that have already been produced and kept out of landfills.
Many cities have thrift stores and consignment shops that specialize in selling secondhand clothing, furniture, books, and more. It's also a great way to save money while still getting quality items. Additionally, by purchasing items that have already been produced, you’re helping to reduce the demand for new products.
I'm often asked about my favourite thrift shops and the top 3 in Kelowna are:
Value Village - Great if you need a large selection of items and are looking for something specific
MCC Thrift - Perfect for finding unique and vintage household items, trinkets and often have a good selection of kids toys
Gospel Mission - Good selection of women's clothing, kid's clothing and home goods.
And throwing in a big shoutout to my favourite vintage/consignment store in Kelowna, Lost Together - this shop is curated by some of the most stylish people I know. If you're looking for the perfect outfit for any occasion, pop in to see them. You can also sell your seasonal vintage or modern clothes to them for cash or in store credit whenever you need a wardrobe refresh.
Shopping secondhand helps to keep money in local communities and support small businesses, all while reducing the impact of consumerism on the planet.
Swap to Natural Cleaning Products
We can all do our part to help the planet by switching to natural cleaning products. Natural cleaners are made from plant-based ingredients and are free of harsh chemicals and toxins that can be found in traditional cleaners.
Natural cleaners not only benefit the environment, but they also provide a safer alternative for our families and pets. Plus, many natural cleaners are just as effective as their chemical-based counterparts.
When shopping for natural cleaning products, look for those with short and simple ingredient lists that you can actually pronounce. Opt for multipurpose products that can be used on multiple surfaces and avoid any cleaners that contain fragrances, artificial dyes, or synthetic preservatives. The favourite in our household is Mint Cleaning. This BC based, women owned business creates natural products for all your cleaning needs and leaves the house smelling SUPER fresh.
You can also make your own natural cleaners at home with ingredients such as white vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and essential oils.
Switching to natural cleaning products is an easy way to reduce your environmental impact this year!
Drive Less
Another effective way to make the planet a better place is to drive less. Seems obvious.
Automobiles are one of the leading sources of pollution, producing greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide that contribute to climate change. Reducing your car usage will help to lower emissions and can have a huge impact on the environment.
There are several ways to drive less that are simple and easy to do. Try walking, biking (or hello, perfect excuse for an e-bike), or taking public transportation more often instead of driving. This is great exercise and helps to reduce your carbon footprint. If you live in a neighbourhood with a grocery store, walk a couple times a week instead of driving to grab your weekly groceries (don't forget our sturdy reusable grocery bags).
Carpooling with family or friends is also an option if you need to go further distances and don’t have access to public transit. You could even try getting a hybrid or electric car as these vehicles produce fewer emissions than traditional gas-powered cars - did you know that BC offers rebates on electric vehicles?
By driving less, you’re helping to reduce air pollution and make the planet a better place in 2023. It’s an easy step that can have a big impact.
And that's a wrap. We've covered a handful of planet happy habits that we hope you're going to keep up or start this year to ensure the future of our planet! Let us know what you're doing to make the planet a better place this year.
1 comment
Great post and great tips!