How to be eco-friendly on a budget.

You absolutely don’t have to be rich to be an environmentalist.

I think that a lot of people are pushing for big changes to be made by the wealthy, while not doing anything themselves.

It’s frustrating.

But I will not spend this precious time complaining about the hypocrites on social media. I will share with you my best tips to help you be eco-friendly on a budget. Trust me, it’s possible. 

This is something I truly want everyone to remember. You can be good to our planet without having much. 

The only things you need are effort, willingness and creativity. If you have that, you can fight for our planet for free, basically.

Let me share with you how. Hopefully, you take away a few ideas and try them out for yourself. Everyone can read a blog post but it’s a whole different thing to implement what we learn.

Here is how to be eco-friendly on a budget:

• Use the things you already own.

We cannot wait for something to get broken, scratched or torn so we can have an excuse for spending money.

Often we get the new item before we are even sure that the one at home is unable to be fixed.

Look around. What do you see? Can you identify the items and pieces that you are not using often? Did you forget about it? Do you regret getting it in the first place? Why?

How can you start using it? What value can it bring you?

Really think about what you own and how you can put it to work. Maybe it’s your clothes or your computer, perhaps it’s your rusty bike and those shoes you bought because you saw them on Instagram.

Use them.

• Borrow what you need from your friends or neighbours.

Just because you go hiking twice a year doesn’t mean you need to buy hiking sticks (or trekking poles, however you call them). Call your friend who loves mountains and borrow what you need.

When you want to bake something sweet but the recipe requires you to use an ingredient you never buy, walk up to your neighbours home. You don’t actually need to buy a brand new pack of walnut flour if you know you will only be using it this one time.

There are people around you who can lend you anything you desire. Ask.

I promise you that everything you require is gathering dust in someone’s basement or pantry. They will be more than happy to help someone in need and put the things they own to good use.

• Buy more plants.

Do you know what can be eaten and is (usually) not wrapped in plastic? Plants.

Rice can be bought in paper wrapping and you can easily recycle it, too. If you bring your own jars and reusable produce bags you can get everything you wish without using any plastic.

If you look a bit harder, or if you are able to shop online, you can even find chocolates and candy that is wrapped in eco-friendly packaging.

That way you are good to the planet and your body at the same time.

• Write lists before going shopping.

The first rule is never to shop hungry.

The second rule is to always write lists before going to the store. You will spend less money, get everything you need, and you’ll be home sooner.

Throughout your week, and month, write down on a piece of paper everything you need to prepare future meals. 

How many lemons will you need for lemon pie? Do you actually need that many spices or are you just assuming you will start using them one day? What about bread? Can you bake it yourself?

A list will help you to never forget about soap again, and to always know how many canned beans you’ll need for the next 2 weeks.

Shop smart.

• Choose the long road.

How often do you use a car or public transport for small distances? Now, how often do you walk or ride a bike?

Choosing the long road means that you could perhaps walk for 30 minutes instead of taking a few minutes drive.  It means carrying 5 books in your backpack while you’re riding your bike. 

Valuing the scenery more than the speed.

Not always. 

Just more.

Let me know down in the comment section your thoughts. Do you like these ideas? Tell me which one is your favourite.

We can make societal progress by making progress within our own lives.

Change starts with what we do, not some 80-year old owner of a large corporation. They will only change when we change.

I am still shocked when I see groups of people demand Amazon stops selling products that are harmful to the environment. I’m sorry but you do know that they are only selling what we are buying, right?

If we want more electric vehicles on the road, we need to support companies that produce EV. If we want less plastic in stores, we need to stop buying products that are wrapped in plastic. If we want to shut down slaughterhouses, we need to stop buying meat.

What you consume, you demand. What you demand, they produce.

It’s on you.

If you want more tips like these please make sure you are following me on Pinterest and Instagram.

Tanja