Small changes to your routine can have a big impact on the Earth

It’s often said that old habits are hard to break but when it comes to living a more sustainable life, it’s all about adopting a simpler, more mindful lifestyle, according to reuzi.ie founder Pat Kane

We’ve come to the end of April, the month we celebrate our beloved planet Earth.

Earth Month has become a time when we focus our energies on our environment and the things that we can do to make our planet a better one. It is a month where eco-friendliness is encouraged for the average folk. It gives a little gateway for people to try to adopt a more eco-friendly mindset and it’s time to bring that commitment further, into the rest of 2019.

It’s often said that old habits are hard to break but believe it or not, when it comes to living a more sustainable life, it’s all about adopting a simpler, more mindful lifestyle.

• Reusable water bottles and coffee cups? Check!
• Bringing your lunch box to that new hype salad bar? Yes!
• Carrying a reusable (yet stylish!) bag at all times? Yes, ma’am!
• Swapping liquid soap for bars of soap? Love it!

See? It’s easy!

So, here we will offer a few ideas on how to become a more sustainable individual.

Morning routine

Do you love your facial serum or a good hair care product, but worry about the amount of bottles and jars you go through every month? Well, let’s talk about a few easy swaps one can make to positively impact our planet.

Brush with bamboo

Bamboo toothbrushes are now widely available at health shops and even supermarkets. My favourite one has to be the Virtue Brush. With a chubby little handle, the Virtue Brush is not only beautiful, it also does a great job! #smile

Squeaky clean… and sustainable!

We love a good skincare product and that’s absolutely fine but next time you are out face wash, shampoo or liquid soap, opt for a bar instead. Reuzi is launching its own luxury line of face, body and hair bars – they come in a travel tin so you carry it everywhere you go #barsnotbottles

My go-to, eco-friendly beauty product

Lately, I have been obsessing over facial serums and I find Nunaia’s Nourising Radiance Serum to be one of the best options out there, balancing the skin’s natural moisture levels. Founder Nicola has also thoughtfully designed its packaging to eliminate unnecessary waste.

Menstrual products

An average woman will use 11,000 to 17,000 disposable pads, pantyliners, and tampons in a lifetime. That’s a lot of waste! Plus, think of the manufacturing, shipping, and packaging impact over the years. For that reason, I am all over menstrual cups.

Reusable silicone menstrual cups collect your flow for up to 12 hours of leak-free protection. It’s odour-free, and surprisingly comfortable and easy to use. When you’re ready to remove the cup, pinch the base, pull it out, and wash well with hot water – voila, zero waste period.

My go-to cup is the Nudie Cup, made in the UK by women for women. #plasticfreeperiod

Out and about

From C-level businesswomen to working from home mums, the reality is: we are constantly busy trying to juggle family and work (and a little self care because c’mon!). How do you go from meetings to school pickups and the shops without generating a humungous amount of waste? Follow me…

Reusable coffee cup

Over 22,000 single-use coffee cups are disposed of in Ireland every hour. Why not make that number zero? Easily done by switching to reusable cups. There are so many options available out there but my favourite cup is the Stojo Pocket Collapsible Cup – it’s portable, collapsible and leakproof, perfect for those on-the-go.

Lunch Box

By carrying your own lunchbox, you eliminate the need for plastic or Styrofoam containers. And, it’s a great way to keep leftovers that will certainly be devoured later on. I carry my Stainless Steel lunchbox everywhere I go.

BYO cutlery

Cutlery is one of those things that you don’t really have to spend any money to become greener – simply carry around a cutlery set that you already have at home.

Plus, green issues aside, there’s something satisfying about using a familiar object rather than some impersonal plastic thing that doesn’t even work properly! Save the world, bite by bite.

Reusable bags

There’s absolutely no reason why you should be carrying a plastic bag around – no reason. To make a difference, simply carry a reusable bag with you at all times.

My favourite ones are the Perhaps Bags, something our grannies were really familiar with and that are now back with a bang. Small and light but super resistant!

Slow and steady

When it comes to changing your daily routine, slow and steady wins the race. Start with one swap at a time. Integrate it into your routine until it becomes habit – it might take a few weeks or even months but that’s ok.

I can promise you one thing: you will notice that in order to live your life you will need less, much less than what you have been told by basically everyone.

You will notice that beauty has very little to do with what you have but how you feel and that, my friends, is priceless – and waste-free!

On top of it all, remember: something is always better than nothing and Mama Earth will be so, so grateful!

Pat Kane is founder of reuzi, a lifestyle shop which aims to inspire people to live a more sustainable life.

reuzi.ie

More like this:

• 10 things we learned from our visit to the recycling centre… here.
• Go Green in 2019: Eight ways to break up with plastic… here.
• Thousands of Irish pupils to protest over climate change… here.