Sweet Greens

I have had a long time love affair with all things Japanese. It doesn’t matter what it is, if it is Japanese, I love it. I love Japanese cuisine, culture, art, design, movies, clothing… the list goes on and on. I mean, the Bonsai Tree, really? Who couldn’t love a miniature Cedar or Juniper Tree? Goodness, I even have a tattoo on my lower back that is written in Japanese. Ha! You know, college?

If you are thinking of moving house soon, you probably have a lot of things to do before the big moving day arrives. Planning ahead helps make the move that much easier. Something you should consider is how to make your house move more sustainable. Quite often, people try to make the move as efficient as possible and this can result in resources and energy being wasted. To help make your move more eco-friendly, here are some tips you can follow. 

Empty the food cupboard

When you are moving house, you need to use up some of the food items in your cupboard or freezer beforehand to prevent food from going to waste. By doing this, it will stop you from throwing food out and it will help free up some space when moving things over to the new house. If you are unlikely to use these food items, consider giving them to local food shelters who can then give them to people in need. 

Have a clear-out

Likewise, have a clear out of your closet, drawers, and cupboards. Put aside any clothes you no longer wear or want, as well as any toys, books, and DVDs. These can be given to family or friends, or your local charity. This can help the environment as it stops things from going to landfills, but it can also help reduce the size of the removal van you need. Some removal companies charge based on the size and weight of your belongings, so it will save you money and reduce the CO2 footprint.

Use reusable moving boxes

Boxes can be one of the most unsustainable things about moving as they create so much waste once you have moved in. Instead, opt for reusable moving boxes that you can easily rent. These are a great sustainable alternative, and most of these companies even offer drop-off and pick-up services. 

Wrap items in biodegradable packaging

Find alternatives to wrap your belongings in. Things like bedding, towels, and clothing can help protect delicate items like artwork or furniture. You can also use old newspapers and magazines to help secure items. As an alternative to bubble wrap, you can get Greenwrap, which is biodegradable and recyclable and works in the same way. 

Remember to recycle

Unfortunately, when moving there are inevitably going to some items that will need to be thrown out if you don’t want to take them to the new house with you. But it is important to be mindful of the amount of stuff you are throwing away. This is why it’s good to plan, as it gives you time to work out what needs to be recycled and allows you time to find where your nearest recycling center is. Put these items into piles to make it easier to work out what is going where. 

Sustainable moving does require a lot of planning and patience, but if you start this way before your moving date, you will be able to make your house move eco-friendly. 

You’ve decided that the time has come to swap to a more environmentally conscious beauty routine. You may have been thinking about it for a while or it might be something that you’ve just decided on, either way, there’s a lot to think about when it comes to overhauling your entire beauty routine, isn’t there? The good news is that swapping to a more eco-friendly beauty routine doesn’t have to be a struggle – it’s just a case of knowing what steps to take, that’s all. 

Wondering what steps you can take to swap to a more environmentally conscious routine? Below are a few tips, ideas, and hacks to take note of and implement when it comes to your approach to beauty. 

Go reusable 

The first step to making your beauty routine a little more eco-friendly is to go down the reusable route. Instead of using disposable products, such as disposable makeup wipes, for instance, consider swapping to a zero-waste alternative, such as reusable makeup removal pads. The great thing about reusable products like these is the fact that not only do they help reduce your beauty routine’s environmental impact, but they also help to cut costs in the long run. Not only can you buy reusable makeup cleansing cloths, but also reusable cotton buds, sanitary towels, and makeup products. 

Opt for natural products 

Wherever possible, opt to use natural products. Products that contain chemicals and additives are not only bad for the environment but they’re also damaging to your skin and hair. Instead, opt to use natural products. Say, for instance, if you want to swap out your normal shampoo for a more eco-friendly alternative, you could try Graham’s Natural Shampoo. The good news is that there are lots of fantastic natural brands to choose from, it’s just a case of finding the one that offers the right products that meet your needs. Take the time to shop around and find the right products to meet your beauty needs, which also offer a more ethical approach to beauty. 

Look for ‘naked’ products 

Another great way to reduce your carbon footprint when it comes to your beauty routine is to look for ‘naked’ products wherever possible. Naked products come without packaging and thus, are ideal for anyone creating a zero-waste beauty routine. There are lots of fantastic packaging-free products to choose from, from solid cleansers and shower gels to perfumes and lip balms. You will find that stores like Lush offer a fantastic range of ‘naked’ products. 

Consider Beauty Procedures

Sometimes, you’re saving money and resources in the long run by opting for beauty procedures more than you would be buying the item. Razors are a great example; even if you buy a reusable razor, it gets to the point where the blade is dull, and a new head is needed. Even this can be considered wasteful, as those small razors cannot be recycled. So instead, opting for one year of laser hair removal for $99 could be the best option! You’ll be pampering yourself, and you’re saving the environment!

Refill where possible 

When it comes to products that you cannot buy ‘naked’, consider looking for brands that offer refillable products. By choosing products that come in packaging designed to be refilled, you can help to cut your environmental impact and make your beauty routine far more eco-friendly. You should be able to find refillable products at your local eco store or you can purchase them online. 

There you have it, a few simple steps for swapping to a more eco-friendly beauty regime. 

Climate change is a real and serious issue that is negatively affecting millions of lives. Fortunately, everyone can play a role in minimizing the impact of climate change. An excellent way to prevent environmental destruction is to reduce your carbon footprint. Here is all you need to know about the carbon footprint and four pragmatic ways to decrease it.

What is the Carbon Footprint?

Your carbon footprint, simply put, is the amount of gas pollutants you release into the environment. These can come from the production of items you use, like clothes and bags, food processing, and transportation. Of all greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide is the most common culprit of environmental degradation.

If you wonder how you can lower the amount of gas emissions released to the environment, here are four practical ways to go about it.

1. Drive Less

Emissions from car exhausts are arguably the most significant contributor to air pollution. This is particularly true for older cars makes that are less fuel-efficient. It follows, therefore, that traveling by car less would be extremely beneficial to the environment.

Consider cycling to work to reduce your carbon emission. Walk to different places if you can. Both of these activities are good for the environment, and they also help you get some exercise.

If you must use a vehicle, opt for public transportation instead of driving. This is cheaper and can drastically reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere. 

2. Avoid Red Meat

You may not believe it, but red meat is a leading cause of environmental pollution. How is this possible, you ask? It is because of the resources that go into cattle rearing and meat processing.

Animal agriculture consumes a lot of freshwater, which is a relatively scarce resource. Add in the feeds that cows consume and their production processes, and you have a terrible culprit of environmental degradation.

You don’t have to give up red meat entirely to save the environment: even a little reduction in your average consumption of the meat can go a long way in reducing your carbon footprint. You can even jump start to keto to lose weight and consume less meat.

3. Unplug Devices

How often do you leave devices plugged in even when you are not using them? You may not know it, but unplugged devices draw a lot of power, which is wasted. The energy wastage that results from unplugged devices every year runs into the billions of dollars.

Form a habit of unplugging devices once you finish using them, and you will lower your carbon footprints tremendously. What’s more, you will also save some money in the process.

4. Buy Clothes Wisely

Making clothes is yet another process that heavily burdens Mother Earth. The emissions coming from cloth factories and the discharges flowing to rivers contribute significantly to environmental pollution. Additionally, the garment industry still relies heavily on child labor, which is an incredibly ugly fact about it.

So, what can you do to minimize the ills of the clothing industry? Start by buying a few quality items that you can wear for years. Take care of your clothing to avoid having to replace it frequently. Consider buying gently worn clothes from second-hand stores to reduce the number of waste clothes that end up in landfills. And most importantly, avoid fast fashion; it is expensive and wasteful.

Conclusion

Now that you know what to do to reduce your carbon footprint, all that remains is for you to act. No action is too small to save the environment; even cycling to work once a week can go a long way. Start today and play your part in environmental conservation.